Bengaluru, November 24: Former union minister and Kannada actor Ambareesh died in a private hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday night at 66 years of age due to a heart attack. Earlier in the day, he was admitted to Vikram hospital in Bengaluru. His condition was said to be critical. The former minister was reported to be suffering from a kidney ailment and he was also being treated for lung infection. He opted out of the assembly election in the state which were conducted this year in May, though he was given ticket by the Congress from his home constituency, Mandya.

The Congress expressed grief over the sudden demise of the former union minister. The grand old party tweeted, “We are shocked and saddened to hear about the untimely passing of former union minister, veteran actor and Congress leader Dr. Ambareesh. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also condoled the death of the former Congress leader and Kannada actor. Siddaramaiah said, “He was not just a great actor, not just a proven politician but also great human being. Ambareesh, u ll be missed. I am deeply pained by his death. My condolences to all his family members, friends & well-wishers.”

Thalaiva Rajinikanth also expressed grief over the demise of Ambareesh. Rajini in his tweet said, "A wonderful human being ... my best friend ... I have lost you today and will miss you ... Rest In Peace #Ambrish."

Former Member of Parliament and member of Congress social media cell, Divya Spandana also expressed sorrow over the death of noted Kannada actor. Spandana tweeted, “Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Ambareesh uncle. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to his family. Will always remember him fondly.”

The real name of Ambareesh was Malavalli Huchche Gowda Amarnath. He was born on 29 May 1952 in Doddarasinakere Village of Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka. He started his acting career in 1972 and worked in 208 movies. Ambareesh was the first Kannada actor to inaugurate the world-famous Mysore Dasara festival organised by the government of Karnataka and also won the Karnataka Government's Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award in the year 2011.

Ambareesh joined the Congress ahead of the assembly elections in 1994. However, he quit the party two years later after the Kannada actor was denied a ticket to contest the 1996 general elections. Ambareesh then joined the Janata Dal and contested and won the 1998 general elections from Mandya. He defeated a Congress candidate with a huge margin. The former union minister later rejoined the Congress to represent the same Mandya Lok Sabha constituency for two more terms. He was the minister of state for Information and Broadcasting in the 14th Lok Sabha, but resigned over his dissatisfaction with the Cauvery Dispute Tribunal award.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 25, 2018 12:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).