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Kannada cinema mourns as Harish Rai, famed for KGF and Om, passes away after a year-long cancer battle. Known for his powerful roles and resilience, what untold struggles did he face behind the scenes during his final days?
Harish Rai passes away
Bengaluru: The Kannada film fraternity is mourning the loss of veteran actor Harish Rai, who passed away at the age of 55 after a prolonged battle with thyroid cancer. The actor, best known for his impactful roles in Om, Hello Yama, and Yash’s KGF franchise, breathed his last after fighting the illness for more than a year.
Harish Rai’s contribution to cinema extended beyond Kannada films he also acted in several Tamil and Telugu movies, earning respect across the South Indian film industry. His passing marks the end of an era for fans who admired his versatility and commanding performances.
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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed his sorrow on social media, calling Rai’s death a huge loss to the film world. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote in Kannada, “The passing away of Harish Rai, the renowned villain actor of Kannada cinema, is an extremely sorrowful event. The film industry has become poorer with his death. In films like Om, Hello Yama, KGF, and KGF 2, Harish Rai delivered memorable performances that caught everyone’s attention.”
He further added, “I pray that his soul attains peace and that God grants strength to his family and loved ones to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti.”
Harish Rai’s struggle with throat cancer began in 2022, and he had openly spoken about his health challenges in multiple interviews. The actor had revealed that he grew a beard to conceal the swelling caused by the disease. Despite his suffering, he faced his illness with remarkable strength and honesty, never shying away from discussing the emotional and financial difficulties that came with treatment.
In a heartbreaking revelation, Rai had shared that each injection cost ₹3.55 lakh, and he needed three injections per 63-day cycle, amounting to over ₹10.5 lakh per round of treatment.
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Harish Rai became a household name for his portrayal of Khasim in the KGF films, where his chemistry with superstar Yash stood out. When asked about reports that Yash had extended financial help, Rai clarified that although the actor had helped him before, he hadn’t reached out this time. “Yash is like a brother to me. I can’t keep asking him every time. I know he will stand by me if he knows he’s just one call away,” he said in an earlier interview.
Over his decades-long career, Harish Rai starred in acclaimed films such as Samara, Bangalore Underworld, Jodihakki, Raj Bahadur, Sanju Weds Geetha, Swayamvara, and Nalla. Known for his intense performances and grounded personality, Rai earned the admiration of both colleagues and audiences alike.
His death leaves a deep void in the Kannada cinema landscape, but his body of work and courageous spirit will continue to inspire generations of actors and fans.
