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Veteran Kannada actor Harish Rai, popularly known for his performances in films like KGF, passed away on Thursday, November 6, after losing his battle to cancer. He was undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer that had reportedly spread to his stomach at Kidwai Hospital in Bengaluru. The illness left his body weak and thin, ultimately leading to his demise. Soon after the news of Harish Rai's demise broke, his fans and Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, mourned the loss and paid an emotional tribute to the late actor.

Harish Rai Passes Away At 55

Taking to X handle, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, shared a photo of Raiand paid a tribute. He wrote in the regional language, loosely translated to, "The passing away of Harish Roy, the renowned villain actor of Kannada cinema, is an extremely sorrowful event. The film industry has become poorer with the death of Harish Roy, who was suffering from cancer. In films including Om, Hello Yama, as well as KGF and KGF 2, Harish Roy had acted wonderfully and attracted everyone's attention. I pray that his soul attains peace and that God grants strength to his family and loved ones, who are in pain from his departure, to bear the sorrow. Om Shanti."

Harish Rai Cause Of Death

Harish Rai had been battling with the illness for a long time, and his condition had deteriorated. He struggled to cover the expenses of his treatment. Days before his death, he made a public request for financial help and also assured his fans of returning to acting after recovering.

Recently, social media influencer Gopi Gowdru visited the actor and shared an emotional video of him online. In the clip, Harish spoke about his illness, as quoted by Hindustant Times. He shared, "Situations can bestow greatness upon you or take things away from you. There is no escaping fate. I’ve been suffering from cancer for three years. There is a reason I had a long beard when performing in KGF, to cover up the swelling in my neck that this disease has created.”

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The late actor also revealed how he had delayed his surgery due to financial constraints. "I put off my surgery because I didn’t have any money at first. I waited till the movies were released. Now that I’m at the fourth stage, things are becoming worse," Harish stated.

As per One India report, Harish also shared details of his treatment expense, which he was unable to cover. A single injection cost Rs 3.55 lakh, and each cycle required three injections over 63 days, totaling Rs 10.5 lakh per cycle. In many cases, some patients needed 17 to 20 injections, which meant the overall treatment could reach around Rs 70 lakh.

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When asked about reports suggesting KGF star Yash’s financial assistance, Rai clarified that he had not approached him yet, but acknowledged earlier support. He said, “Yash has helped me before. I cannot keep asking him every time. How much can one person do? 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."

Harish Rai's Legacy

Harish Rai had worked in several Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films, creating his own niche in the industry. His notable work credits include Om, Samara, Bangalore Underworld, Jodihakki, Raj Bahadur, Swayamvara, and in KGF 1 and 2.

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