Kannada film industry mourns Vishnuvardhan's death

As thousands of fans struggle to come to terms with the sudden demise of superstar Vishnuvardhan, Kannada film industry veterans say it is a void that can never be filled.
        
Acclaimed playwright and director Girish Karnad, who directed Vishnuvardhan in the National Award winning film Vamsha Vriksha, said, "With Vishnu's death a vacuum has been created in the industry which cannot be filled. It is the passing of an era."
     
The actor, who passed away today at the age of 59, was known for his amiable nature and warm-hearted relations with fellow artistes throughout his career spanning four decades.
      
"I still cannot believe it. He was so healthy. I never expected it. After passing away of C Ashwath (singer-composer) it is a double shock," president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) Jayamala, who has acted with Vishnuvardhan in a number of films, said.
      
"He was a man who loved, breathed films. He was always there for us to sort out our problems. A great artiste and human being par excellence, he respected women a lot. It is impossible for us to reconcile to this loss," she added.
      
Renowned director Girish Kasaravalli recalled the actor's yeoman contribution to the Kannada film industry and described him as one of the most popular actors and a noble human being.
        
"I am yet to come to terms with his sudden death," Kasaravalli said.