BENGALURU: Revenue Minister R Ashoka on Monday announced that the stretch of the Outer Ring Road between Nayandahalli and Mega City Mall in Bannerghatta will be named after ‘Power Star’ Puneeth Rajkumar.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is organising a programme at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Padmanabha Nagar on Tuesday evening, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. The entire film industry, including Shivarajkumar and his wife, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Vijay Raghavendra will be present, he said.
Addressing a press conference at the Karnataka Film Chamber Of Commerce along with its office-bearers, Ashoka said, “It’s been more than a year since Puneeth Rajkumar left us. But recently, I was visiting some villages in Kalaburagi district and I was surprised to find his posters hung there. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai presented Karnataka Ratna award on the steps of Vidhana Soudha in the presence of mega star Rajinikanth and Junior NTR. But since it rained that day, many were not able to pay their tribues to Puneeth. Tuesday will be another occasion where all his fans can pay their tributes.”
The minister further said, “Puneeth was always involved in social work and had concern for the poor, students and orphans. He agreed to be brand ambassador for KMF without any remuneration, though money was set aside for it, saying that it was for the farmers’ cause. There are very few such people. The coming generations should know about his good works, so a 12-km stretch of the Outer Ring Road will be named as the ‘Karnataka Ratna Puneeth Rajkumar Road’. A stretch between Peenya Junction and Nayandahalli junction is already named after his father and thespian Dr Rajkumar”, he pointed out.
Ashoka said the CM has approved the proposal to name the stretch after Puneeth Rajkumar and noted that it has been notified in the gazette. “I am grateful to the CM on behalf of the film industry. The event will be held at 6 pm at Padmanabha Nagar and the CM will be present along with other ministers and elected representatives. Two newly developed parks nearby will also be inaugurated”, he added.
“The entire film industry will participate in the function. Shamitha Malnad will be the main artist and 17 artists including Guru Kiran, Sadhu Kokila, Raghu Dixit, Vijay Prakash will perform will perform after the official event”, he said.
The minister also said that an international film festival will be organisesd next month and Rs 4 crore has been released for the purpose. “The logo will also be unveiled on Tuesday. The film industry is in talks with senior artists like Rekha, Chiranjeevi and others to inaugurate it. Everything will be finalised soon”, he added.
Further, he said that the flim chamber has made a representation to name the Race Course Road after late actor Ambarish. “I have written to the CM regarding this and an announcement will be made soon”, he noted.