Kannada Actor Dileep Raj Dies of Heart Attack at 48

Kannada actor and producer Dileep Raj died early Wednesday from a heart attack in Bengaluru, leaving the local film and television industry in mourning. He was 48.

Raj suffered the cardiac arrest at his home in the city before dawn on May 13 and was rushed to Apollo Hospital in Kumaraswamy Layout. Medical staff attempted to revive him, but he succumbed despite treatment, according to family sources and hospital reports. Colleagues and friends gathered at the facility as news spread, with many expressing grief on social media.

A prominent figure in Kannada entertainment for over two decades, Raj began his career in theater before transitioning to television, where he gained widespread recognition. He starred in popular serials including Janani, Rathasapthami, Hitler Kalyana, Ardha Satya, Rangoli, Kumkuma Bhagya, Mangalya, Malebillu and Preethigagi. His television roles, often portraying romantic leads or dignified patriarchs, made him a household name among Kannada-speaking audiences.

Raj entered cinema in 2005 with Boy Friend and earned acclaim for his antagonist role opposite Puneeth Rajkumar in the 2007 hit Milana. He appeared in more than 50 films, including U Turn, Tony,...