Mon Oct 13 15:27:34 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, suitable for publication:
**Veteran Kannada Actor and Director Raju Talikoti Passes Away at 60**
**Manipal, India – October 13, 2025** – Veteran actor, playwright, comedian, and director Rajesab Muktamsab Talikoti, widely known as Raju Talikoti, passed away on Monday evening at KMC Hospital in Manipal, Udupi district, after suffering a heart attack. He was 60 years old.
Talikoti was in Hebri for a Kannada film shoot when he suffered the heart attack on Sunday night. He was immediately transported to KMC Hospital, where doctors performed angioplasty, but he did not recover.
Raju Talikoti is survived by his actor-wife Prema Talikoti, two sons, and three daughters.
Beginning his career in theatre at the age of seven with his father’s Khasgateshwar Natya Sangha, Talikoti overcame early hardships to become a prominent figure in Kannada theatre and cinema. He starred in over 35 films, known particularly for his comedic roles. His play, “Kaliyugada Kuduka,” achieved widespread popularity, with nearly 40,000 shows staged across the country and internationally.
Recognized for his contributions to the arts, Talikoti was a recipient of several prestigious awards. In August 2024, he was appointed as the director of Dharwad Rangayana by the State government, embarking on various projects to promote theatre.
The last rites will be performed on Tuesday at Chikkasindgi in Sindgi taluk of Vijayapura district.