KK, Puneeth Rajkumar, Sidharth Shukla: Celebrities who succumbed to heart attack

The passing away of noted actor-comedian Raju Srivastava has shocked his fans across the country. Srivastava remained hopsitalised at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences for 43 days after suffering a heart attack. The 58-year-old had collapsed while working out at a gym on August 10.

Over the past year, there have been a few instances of male celebrities suffering a heart attack. Stress, frequent travel, long working hours have been listed as some key factors that have acted as triggers for rising cases of heart attacks in men above the age of 40. These high-profile deaths have brought to light the significance of taking care of one’s heart. The unfortunate deaths have also triggered a debate around burnout, stress, depression, and other mental health issues that has been an outcome of the pandemic.

Here’s a look at a few celebrities who passed away due to a heart condition::

Krishnakumar Kunnath aka KK (53)
Celebrated singer KK passed away on May 31 after a live performance in Kolkata. The 53-year-old singer was performing at a concert organised by a Nazrul Mancha when he complained about ‘feeling heavy’. He was taken to the hotel where he collapsed. KK was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead. While initial reports suggested that the singer died due to cardiac arrest, his autopsy revealed that the singer had chronic liver and lung issues.

Sidharth Shukla (40)
Popular TV actor Sidharth Shukla died on September 2, 2021, after he suffered a heart attack. Following his death, the actor’s family had informed the police that he did not suffer from mental stress nor did they suspect any foul play in his death. The family had also appealed to his fans to refrain from spreading rumours about the actor’s death. Shukla was known for his healthy lifestyle. The actor frequently shared his diets and workout sessions with his fans.

Puneeth Rajkumar (46)
Kannada superstar and renowned actor from the Southern Cinema, Puneeth Rajkumar died at the age of 46 on October 29, 2021, due to a cardiac arrest. The actor had complained of uneasiness to his wife Ashwini following which he was rushed to the hospital. The actor died on his way to the hospital. The actor was given a state funeral which was attended by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai and several other leaders. Rajkumar’s mortal remains were kept for public view at Kanteerava stadium for three days and were reportedly visited by over 20 lakh people.

Puneeth was one of the most energetic celebrities. He was known for being a teetotaler who worked out almost every day. The actor kept his fans engaged by sharing videos of him doing Superman Burpee, Overhead Burpee, and Jumping Toe Touch Burpee.

Raj Kaushal (50)
Actor and producer Raj Kaushal who was active in the entertainment industry during the 1990s and early 2000s breathed his last on June 30, 2021. The film-maker died due to a heart attack. He is survived by his wife actress Mandira Bedi.

Amit Mistry (47)
Popular television actor Amit Mistry died at 47 after a cardiac arrest on April 23, 2021. Mistry was known for his work in shows such as ‘Tenali Rama’, ‘A Gentleman’, and ‘Saat Phero Ka Hera Pheri’. The actor began his career in Gujarati theatre.

Rajeev Kapoor (58)
Popular Bollywood actor Rajeev Kapoor died on February 9, 2021, after he suffered a heart attack. The late actor’s brother Randhir Kapoor had rushed him to the Inlaks Hospital where he was declared brought dead. The actor was noted for his performances in films such as ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’, and ‘Lover Boy’.

Vivek (59)
The popular Tamil actor died on April 17, 2021, due to heart failure. The actor-comedian was a renowned personality in Kollywood and has worked with numerous superstars. In 2009, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. In a career spanning over four decades, Vivek had worked in over 200 films.