What Happened At Last 1.5 Hours Before Puneeth Rajkumar Death?

Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar's sudden death remains a painful memory for his family, fans and the film industry. Five years after his death, his doctor, Dr Ramana Rao, has shared details about the actor's final hours. He recalled how Puneeth came to his clinic after a workout and how his health condition became serious.

Puneeth, lovingly called Appu by his fans, died on October 29, 2021, at the age of 46. He suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru. However, doctors could not save him.

Speaking in a recent interview with Just Curious Kannada, Dr Ramana Rao remembered his close relationship with the actor and his family. He said Puneeth was like a son to him and shared a special bond with his family.

Puneeth Did Kickboxing Before His Death

Dr Ramana Rao recalled that Puneeth visited his clinic after spending around one and a half hours doing kickboxing at a gym. According to the doctor, the actor had tried this activity for the first time that day.

The doctor noticed that Puneeth was sweating heavily and looked extremely tired. He became concerned about the actor's condition and immediately conducted an ECG test.

"I was in the clinic when Appu came. He was sweating extremely. He told me that he had gone to the gym, where he did kickboxing for one and a half hours," the doctor recalled.

He further explained that the ECG results showed signs of strain. After examining the actor, he decided that Puneeth needed immediate medical attention.

The doctor said, "It wasn't a heart attack but strain. I knew that something would happen."

He gave Puneeth medicines and arranged for him to be taken to the hospital without delay. Puneeth travelled in his own car and was still able to speak with the people around him.

Dr Ramana Rao said Puneeth was conscious during the journey and wanted to sit upright in the car. However, the doctor asked him to rest his head on his wife Ashwini's lap while they rushed to the hospital.

The doctor recalled the heartbreaking moment when Puneeth's condition suddenly became worse.

"Just a minute before he could reach the hospital, his heart stopped beating. When he went inside the hospital, there was no heartbeat," he said.

The medical team at Vikram Hospital tried to revive the actor, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Remembering the personal loss, Dr Ramana Rao said, "It was one of the saddest moments for all of us. It was like losing my own son."

Puneeth's death shocked millions of fans across the country. Thousands of people gathered in Bengaluru to pay their final respects to the beloved actor. Even today, he continues to be remembered for his films, kind nature and contribution to Kannada cinema.