'The temple of our God has been demolished'; Video of Ravi Srivatsa shedding tears goes viral

On the day of Varamahalakshmi festival, a news has come out that has brought grief to the Kannada film industry. The actor was spotted at Abhiman Studios in Bengaluru. Vishnuvardhan's memorial was demolished overnight. This place has been a place that has had an emotional connect with Vishnuvardhan fans for decades. Now fans and close ones are deeply saddened that the ground itself has been buried.

Director Ravi Srivatsa visited the site on the morning of August 8 and was in tears when he saw that the monument had been cleared. Sharing his pain through Facebook Live, he said, "The temple of our god has been demolished. The place where our masters slept is now just mud. Even the small temple where the tower was situated has been demolished," he said. He added: "Today we have really lost our masters. They have made us orphans like no one. Fans are not being allowed entry, the gate is closed, the police are sitting on a serpentine guard."

Though Vishnuvardhan's samadhi was built in Mysuru, the abhiman studio venue where the funeral took place held a special place in the minds of fans. Every year thousands of people used to come to this place to pay homage to their favourite actor. They are shocked that the place has now ceased to exist. Ravi Srivatsa was stopped by the police while he was broadcasting live and was taken away from the spot. "I am being caught and dragged, this is police brutality," he alleged.

Following the incident, Vishnuvardhan's fans on social media have reacted sharply, urging them to "respect the sentiments of the fans". There is no official word yet on the background behind the demolition of the Vishnuvardhan memorial and the reasons behind it. However, this incident has caused deep pain in the hearts of Kannada cinema and fans.