The Kannada film industry has been struck by a wave of grief following the demise of veteran actor Harish Rai, best known for his memorable role as “Uncle” in KGF. The actor, who had been battling throat cancer for a long time, passed away after the illness spread to his stomach, leading to a gradual decline in his health.

Harish Rai had earlier opened up about his condition, revealing the immense financial strain of his treatment. He shared that a single injection cost ₹3.55 lakh, with doctors recommending multiple cycles, making the total treatment cost nearly ₹70 lakh. In a heartfelt video shared by influencer Gopi Gowda, Harish had appealed for help while expressing his hope to return to acting once recovered.

The actor also mentioned that KGF superstar Yash had helped him before and that he trusted Yash would stand by his family if needed.

Known for his powerful performances in films like Om, Samara, Bangalore Underworld, Sanju Weds Geetha, Nalla, and KGF Chapters 1 & 2, Harish Rai carved a distinct identity in South Indian cinema.

His untimely demise has left fans and colleagues heartbroken. Tributes continue to pour in across social media as the industry remembers him as a talented, humble, and resilient artist who gave his all to the world of cinema.