Ready to give land for Vishnu memorial: Studio owners

Nearly nine years after the death of veteran actor Dr Vishnuvardhan, a memorial dedicated to the actor in the city seems to be inching closer to reality. The actor’s 68th birthday falls on Tuesday.

The owners of Abhiman Studio in Bengaluru have expressed their willingness to provide the necessary land for the memorial. But have put the onus on the government now.

And if the issue is sorted out, then the actor will have two memorials — one in Bengaluru and another in Mysuru, his birthplace.

Confirming the news, Karthik, the grandson of late actor Balakrishna, said: “We are ready to give the necessary land for the memorial. But we want the government to solve the legal dispute that the land is involved in.”

“Though we claim the ownership on the land, the government departments are haunting us in some or the other way.

If the issue is amicably solved, we are ready to donate the land. As we consider Vishnuvardhan our family member, we will be happy to have his memorial here,” Karthik said.

The Vishnu Sena Samiti want the memorial to be constructed at the site where the actor was cremated.

“Even though the government has sanctioned Rs 11 crore for the construction of the memorial in Mysuru, fans want it at the place where Vishnuvardhan was cremated,” Vishnu Sena Samiti chief Raju Gowda told DH.

“We tried to convince the family of actor Balakrishna, the owners of Abhiman studio. They have agreed to donate the necessary land for the memorial,” Gowda said.

However, now the ball is in government’s court, as the legal issues over the land are yet to be looked into.

“Let the government construct a memorial in Mysuru. We cannot give away this place as Vishnuvardhan was cremated here. Let there be two memorials,” Gowda added.

Meanwhile, Vishnuvarhdan’s son-in-law and actor Anirudh said: “Talks are on for the same deal for many years. But still, nothing has moved beyond the documentation. If at all it works out, then me and my family will welcome the move.”

Though the present coalition government partner JD(S) had promised to sort out this issue in its manifesto, the fans are expecting the issues over the land to be solved at least by December 29, which marks the ninth death anniversary of the actor.

“It’s not that the government is unable to do, but they are not willing to do. We have also met the chief minister twice and submitted a memorandum.”

“He has promised to look into the issue. We expect him to clarify by September 18, the 68 birthday of Vishnuvardhan,” Gowda said.