Noted Journalist And Former Bigg Boss Kannada Contestant Ravi Belagere Dies Of Heart Attack

Belagere was a known name in Karnataka for running the Kannada tabloid ‘Hai Bangalore’, which he started in 1995, as its editor-in-chief.

Image: Ravi Belagere (@nimma_ravi_belagere/Instagram)

Prominent Bengaluru-based journalist and noted writer Ravi Belagere passed away on Friday morning. The 62-year-old Editor-in-Chief of ‘Hai Bangalore’ suffered a heart attack on Thursday evening when he was in his office. Soon he was rushed to the Apollo hospital but he did not respond to treatment and passed away. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. According to the reports, his mortal remains will be kept at his Prarthana School premises for people to pat last respect. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa expressed condolences over the unfortunate death and recalled Belagere’s works as a journalist and writer. Taking to the Twitter, Yediyurappa wrote, "I pray to the almighty to give courage to his family and fans to bear the loss." Belagere was a known name in Karnataka for running the Kannada tabloid ‘Hai Bangalore’, which he started in 1995, as its editor-in-chief. Before starting his own tabloid, Ravi took up many low-paying jobs such as receptionist at a lodging facility and also distributing newspaper and milk. Apart from being a noted journalist, Ravi authored 70 books covering crime, politics, fiction, translation, storytelling, column writing and biography. His writings were often controversial and they earned him both friends and foes. He has honoured with many awards including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, Rajyothsava award, Karnataka Media Academy Award for Lifetime achievement among others. Belagere further became a household name when he made a surprise entry in the controversial show Bigg Boss Kannada season 7 as one of the contestants during the grand premiere. In 2017, Belagere mad to the headlines when the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Karnataka Police arrested him on charges of conspiring to kill his colleague Sunil Heggaravalli, the tabloid’s chief crime reporter for allegedly having an  affair with his second wife.