The 76-year-old actor was admitted to a private hospital and was said to be in critical condition on Sunday, 12 January, due to which he was shifted to intensive care unit.
Published Jan 15, 2025 | 2:46 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 15, 2025 | 2:46 PM
Sarigama Viji. (X)
The veteran Kannada actor Sarigama Viji breathed his last on Wednesday, 15 January, after suffering from multiple organ failure.
The 76-year-old actor was admitted to a private hospital and was said to be in critical condition on Sunday, 12 January, due to which he was shifted to intensive care unit. However, the regional news outlets then reported the actor had shown slight signs of improvement.
According to an Economic Times report, arrangements have been made for his mortal remains to be brought to his residence in Mahalakshmipuram for people to pay their respects. Fans, friends, and well-wishers will have the opportunity to visit until 10 AM on 16 January. Following this, the last rites will be performed at Chamarajpet Crematorium at 10 AM.
Sarigama Viji, who made his debut in the Kannada film industry about four and a half decades ago, has acted in over 300 films and worked as co-director for over 100 films. He is survived by two sons.
He earned the name “Sarigama” from the play Samsaradalli Sarigama, which brought him significant popularity. The play, directed and acted by him, has been performed over 1,390 times. It was showcased in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Sarigama Viji also worked as a co-director on 10 films with Prabhakar Prabhas. He had a close association with Vijay Prabhakar, who has dedicated 50 years to the arts. He also won the Karnataka State Award for his contributions.
In addition to his film career, Sarigama Viji has acted in numerous television serials and dramas, mainly in comedy roles, gaining widespread recognition. He has directed around 2,400 episodes of television serials and has appeared in many series, including as a judge on reality shows.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai wrote on X: “I was deeply saddened to hear the news that renowned film comedy actor Sarigama Viji passed away today due to illness. I pray that God will grant peace to the soul of Sarigama Viji, who captivated the hearts of people as a comedian in the theatre and film industries and grant his family and fans the strength to bear the grief of his departure.”
ಖ್ಯಾತ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ ಹಾಸ್ಯ ನಟ ಸರಿಗಮ ವಿಜಿ ಅವರು ಅನಾರೋಗ್ಯದ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದ ಇಂದು ನಿಧನ ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ದುಃಖವಾಯಿತು.
ರಂಗಭೂಮಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ ರಂಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಸ್ಯ ನಟರಾಗಿ ಜನ ಮನ ಸೂರೆಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ಸರಿಗಮ ವಿಜಿ ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ದೇವರು ಶಾಂತಿ ನೀಡಲಿ, ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬದವರು ಹಾಗೂ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಅವರ ಅಗಲಿಕೆಯ ದುಃಖವನ್ನು ಭರಿಸುವ… pic.twitter.com/JOLq4uPECt
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) January 15, 2025
Another former minister, K Gopalaiah, also mourned the artist’s death. He wrote on X, “It is with great sadness that we hear the news of the passing of Sarigama Viji, a veteran artiste of Kannada cinema and a renowned comedian. Sarigama Viji’s death, who entertained the hearts of Kannadigas by acting in hundreds of films, is an irreparable loss to the Kannada cinema industry. I pray that God may grant eternal peace to his soul.”
ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗದ ಹಿರಿಯ ಕಲಾವಿದ, ಖ್ಯಾತ ಹಾಸ್ಯನಟ, ಸರಿಗಮ ವಿಜಿ ವಿಧಿವಶರಾದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತಿಳಿದು ತೀವ್ರ ದುಃಖವಾಗಿದೆ. ನೂರಾರು ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಟಿಸಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಮನ ರಂಜಿಸಿದ್ದ ಸರಿಗಮ ವಿಜಿ ಅವರ ನಿಧನ ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ತುಂಬಲಾರದ ನಷ್ಟ. ದೇವರು ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಚಿರಶಾಂತಿ ಕರುಣಿಸಲಿ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.#sarigamaviji pic.twitter.com/0vhvvUrgpY
— K Gopalaiah (@GopalaiahK) January 15, 2025
