Harish Rai Death: KGF Actor Passes Away At 55 After Battling Cancer

Veteran

Kannada actor Harish Rai, best known for his memorable roles as Don Rai in the cult classic Om and Chacha in KGF, passed away on Thursday at Kidwai Hospital in Bengaluru at the age of 55. The actor had been battling thyroid cancer, which had tragically spread to his stomach.

Harish Rai Dies At Age Of 55

Harish Rai had been struggling with the illness for a long time, and his condition had deteriorated significantly. His frail body and swollen stomach due to water retention had left fans heartbroken. Despite medical treatment and the prayers of his well-wishers, he was unable to recover.Social media influencer Gopi Gowdru had recently visited the actor, sharing an emotional video online. In the clip, Harish Rai appealed for financial assistance, expressing his desire to return to acting once his health improved. He also revealed the overwhelming cost of his treatment, noting that a single injection cost Rs 3.55 lakh, with three injections prescribed per cycle, totaling Rs 10.5 lakh every 63 days. The complete treatment could have cost as much as Rs 70 lakh.

Yash’s Silent Support

Addressing reports that KGF star Yash had offered help, Harish Rai said, “Yash has helped me before. I cannot keep asking him every time. How much can one person do? I haven’t informed him about my health, but I know if he comes to know, he will definitely stand by me. He is just one call away, though he is busy with his upcoming film Toxic. I’ve told my family and sons to reach out to him if anything happens to me, because I know he won’t turn away.”

A Legacy Across Languages

Over his illustrious career, Harish Rai appeared in numerous Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films, including Om, Samara, Bangalore Underworld, Jodihakki, Raj Bahadur, Sanju Weds Geetha, Swayamvara, Nalla, and both chapters of KGF. His versatile performances and dedication to cinema made him a respected and beloved figure in the Indian film industry.