Telugu film star and NTR grandson Nandamuri Taraka Ratna passed away in Bengaluru on Saturday. The actor was admitted to the city's Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital on January 27 after he suffered a cardiac arrest in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. Taraka Ratna had collapsed while participating in the launch of the state-wide 'padayatra' of TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh.
After preliminary treatment in a local hospital, he was flown to the Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital in Bengaluru for further treatment
According to news agency PTI, the actor turned politician was in an extremely critical condition ever since he was admitted to the hospital and he breathed his last on Saturday. He is survived by his wife Alekhya and a daughter.
Taraka Ratna had also acted in a few Telugu movies, including 'Okato Number Kurraadu' in 2002 before taking a plunge into politics. However, he could not succeed on the silver screen like his cousins Junior NTR of 'RRR' fame.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and superstar Chiranjeevi were among many people who condoled the demise of Taraka Ratna.
Naidu expressed anguish over his death and said the efforts to save Taraka Ratna's life, the prayers of family members and fans and the treatment of expert doctors did not yield results. Naidu also said the family is left with grief as Taraka Ratna has been lost though the young actor had fought for his life for 23 days, reported PTI.
Chiranjeevi took to Twitter to condole the demise of the actor turned politician. "Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic premature demise of #NandamuriTarakaRatna. Such bright, talented, affectionate young man...gone too soon! Heartfelt condolences to all the family members and fans! May his Soul Rest in Peace!" he wrote.
Nandamuri Taraka Ratna was the cousin of actor Jr NTR, and politician Nara Lokesh, nephew of actor and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna and former AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.