Rajinikanth visits Vishnuvardhan's family

South Indian movie icon Rajinikanth visited the house of late Kannada superstar Vishnuvardhan on Wednesday night, along with his wife Latha, close friend and actor Ambareesh, noted Kannada producers Rockline Venkatesh and K. Manju, to console the family members of the late Kannada icon who recently expired at age 59. They offered their condolences to Vishnuvardhan's widow Bharathi and other family members.

Rajinikanth spent close to an hour at Vishnuvardhan’s house and shared some of the fond moments he had shared with the late actor with his family members. Notably, Rajnikanth had acted with Vishnuvardhan in two super hit Kannada films (Sahodarara Sawal, Galate Samsara) and two Tamil films (Vidudalai, Sri Raghavendra). It was Rajinikanth who brought Vishnuvaradhan to Tamil films after many years in a parallel role in Viduthalai which also starred Sivaji Ganesan.

Vishnuvardhan and Rajinikanth recently attended a meeting organized by director Priyadarshan's wife (actress Lizzy Priyadarshan) and Radikaa Sarathkumar for artistes who had worked in South Indian films during the 70s.

Talking to reporters outside Vishnu's residence, Rajinikanth described Vishnuvardhan as a most sincere actor and a great human being. "He was a role model and had abundant knowledge about spiritual matters. He was always helpful. I was in fact encouraged by Vishnu in my younger days. My resolve to become an actor was strengthened after I saw Vishnu’s Nagarahavu. I cherish memories of meeting him many times and sharing our insights about spirituality," he added. The star recalled that Vishnuvardhan had always treated him like an elder brother rather than a friend.