In a move that has sparked widespread anger and sorrow across Karnataka, the memorial of beloved late actor Dr. Vishnuvardhan at Abhiman Studio in Kengeri was demolished overnight on August 8. The action, carried out under police protection, followed a directive from the Karnataka High Court, bringing a decades-long legal dispute to a contentious end.
The memorial, which had stood as an emotional focal point for the actor’s admirers since his passing on December 30, 2009, was at the center of a protracted land dispute. The conflict was primarily between the Balanna family, the owners of Abhiman Studio, and a group of fans who had fought tirelessly to preserve the cremation site. Despite numerous appeals and a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the High Court, the court ruled that the land dispute was a matter for the authorities to resolve and not a subject for judicial intervention.
A Deeply Emotional and Controversial Demolition
For millions of fans, the Kengeri site, which included an 8-foot statue and held deep sentimental value, was considered a sacred space. The demolition has been met with fury on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForVishnuvardhan and #SaveVishnuvardhanMemorial trending online. Many have expressed disappointment with the government, police, and the Film Chamber, accusing them of disrespecting the legacy of the “Sahasa Simha” (Courageous Lion).
The legal battle over the land has a history dating back to 2015, when the Balanna family challenged a government order to allocate two acres of their land for the memorial. They argued that they had not been properly compensated. While some family members had previously shown a willingness to compromise, the persistent legal battle led to the court’s final directive, which ultimately cleared the way for the memorial’s removal.
The Official Memorial in Mysuru
While the Kengeri memorial is no more, an official state-sanctioned memorial for Dr. Vishnuvardhan has already been established in Mysuru. Spanning 2.75 acres, the grand memorial was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on January 29, 2023. It features a museum with over 600 rare photos, a life-sized statue, film memorabilia, an auditorium, and classrooms, all designed to honor the actor’s contributions to Kannada cinema.
The foundation for this new memorial was laid on September 15, 2020, by former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa, with the aim of creating a permanent tribute to the late icon and inspiring future generations. The development of the Mysuru memorial, however, did not deter the fans from their desire to preserve the original cremation site, making the recent demolition a highly sensitive and emotional event.
