KGF actor Harish Rai passes away at 55 after battling thyroid cancer

Trigger warning: This article contains references to a person’s death.

Veteran Kannada actor Harish Rai, best known for his iconic roles as Don Rai in Om and Chacha in KGF, died on Thursday at the age of 55. According to reports, he died at Kidwai Hospital in Bengaluru after a long battle with thyroid cancer, which had spread to his stomach. Rai’s demise has left fans and the film industry in mourning over the demise of a versatile actor.

Harish Rai was battling cancer for a long time and his health had deteriorated significantly. His weak body and swollen stomach due to water retention had made his condition critical. According to The Times of India, despite undergoing treatment and receiving support from fans and well-wishers, he failed to recover.

Here’s how Harish Rai fought cancer and its high cost

Earlier, Rai had spoken openly about the financial burden of his treatment. In an emotional appeal, he revealed that one injection cost Rs 3.55 lakh, and doctors had prescribed three injections per cycle over 63 days, making the total cost per cycle Rs 10.5 lakh. In many cases, patients require 17 to 20 injections, making the estimated total cost of the treatment around Rs 70 lakh.

Social media influencer Gopi Goudru recently visited Rai and shared a video in which the actor talked about his desire to return to acting after his health improves. He also mentioned the support he received from KGF star Yash. “Yash has helped me before too. I can’t ask him every time. How much can a person do? I haven’t informed him about my health, but I know that if he gets to know, he will definitely stand by me. He is just a call away, though he is busy with his upcoming film Toxic. I have told my family and sons to contact him if anything happens to me, because I know he will not turn away,” Rai said. Said.

During his illustrious career, Harish Rai has appeared in many Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. His notable works include Om, Samaara, Bangalore Underworld, JodiHakki, Raj Bahadur, Sanju Weds Geeta, Swayamvar, Nalla and both chapters of KGF. He was widely respected for his dedication to cinema and his ability to deliver memorable performances across genres.

This content addresses sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide and death, which some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs help, please seek help from appropriate resources.