A doctor-friend recalls Ambi's last moments

The Saturday night seemed normal with Ambareesh showing signs of recovery until 8.00 pm when the veteran actor collapsed while walking back to the bedroom.

Dr Satish of Vikram hospital said Ambareesh had just had his dinner. Before he collapsed, there was no other complaint except that he was tired. Caretakers of the hospital who were on standby rushed to the actor’s aid. “He was given oxygen and cardiac massage. But the body temperature fell rapidly and he had to be rushed to the hospital. He had no pulse and the body was turning cold. Still, an injection was administered and he was given another cardiac massage. He did not respond to treatment. He had died at home,” said Dr Satish.

Dr Satish described Ambareesh as more than a patient. “He was more of a friend. After the treatment in Singapore, he had got a second chance. I was with him. He had suffered a lot,” he remembered.

After returning from Singapore, he had regained health but still had breathing problems. “His caretaker used to update me about his pulse and blood pressure every day. I used to call every day to get details on his health and visit once in two days. It was a cardiac arrest. But we couldn’t save him,” he said emotionally.

Dr Satish said he would get a call when the actor would not listen to anyone. “He was very dependent on my advice and would not take any medicine unless I told him to. Three days ago, when a doctor prescribed him tablets, he had rejected them. I had to go and give the medicine to him. When he did not listen to anyone, I would get a call. After I would go there, he would accept my advice,” he said.