Veteran Kannada actor and comedian Raju Talikote died due to a heart attack on Sunday night at the age of 59. Renowned for his rural humour and comic timing, he was a veteran of Kannada cinema in general and a comedian in particular.

As reports say, Subash had fallen during the night and was taken to Udupi's Manipal Hospital. Doctors could not save him later. He had many heart-related problems. Sources also confirmed his last rites to be performed at his hometown in Vijayapura district. 

He was born in the village of Chikkasindagi, Sindagi taluk, Mysore erstwhile, part of the Karnataka state now. His complete name was Rajesaba Maktumasaab Talikoti. Starting with theater and then coming into fame in Kannada films, he was famous for making his roles natural and rustic, portraying usually humorous characters from the rural society of Karnataka which clicked with the audience of that state.

He also possessed the Khasgateshwar Drama Board at Talikoti, wherein his efforts spread local theatre and indoctrinated the young artists. His contribution did not stop or even restrict to the silver screen but rather he continued to help such an art and form remain alive for future generations from Northern Karnataka. 

Indeed, this is very sad news to the Kannada film industry and to its fans. The message poured in social media even hailed him as a “true people’s performer”, performing comedy in a blend of simple and deep humour.

The curtain falls for Kannada comedy, Raju Talikote. His laughter and legacy would keep reverberating in the halls of stage and screen in the last.