BENGALURU: Lakhs of people thronged to Kannada thespian Rajkumar’s memorial, inaugurated at Kanteerava Studios near Nandini Layout on Outer Ring Road on Saturday.
Fans stood in a long queue, waiting to pay their tributes, and also to catch a glimpse of VIP vistors such as Rajinikanth, Saroja Devi, and Chiranjeevi, besides Rajkumar’s sons Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra and Puneeth.
Actor-politicians Ambareesh and Umashree were also among the star attractions. “I neither went to work, nor ate breakfast. I am a big fan of annavru,” said Jayamma (65), a domestic help who had come to see the late actor’s family. Knowing her employers wouldn’t give her leave, she told them she had a fever. Jayamma has seen all 206 movies of Rajkumar. “We don’t get to see such movies today,” she said. She hopes to catch Kasturi Nivasa, released again, this time in colour. Her son who works as a lineman at BESCOM, but did not wish to reveal his name, accompanied Jayamma. “I didn’t go to work either,” he said.
Another fan, Sunandamma (68), reached the memorial at 8 am. “I did not have breakfast. I brought along a slice of bread which I ate here,” she said. “It was worth the trouble as I could see many film stars.”
For watchman Shamanna, it was a double treat: the free lunch and the opportunity to gaze at the stars. Shivarudrappachari, an auto driver, had parked his vehicle near his friend’s house. “I am a huge fan of annavru and Rajinikanth. I have their posters in my auto,” he said.