September 23, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Kannada film's veteran comedian Rathnakar, who passed away on Tuesday, has reportedly donated his eyes much before his death. The veteran actor took his last breathe in Mysore, who had signed to donate his eyes to the JSS Medical Hospital there long back.

Another late actor Dr Rajakumar also donated his eyes and Rathnakar has followed his path. The cremation ceremony of Rathnakar was performed in Mysore on Wednesday. The final rites were performed by his three sons. The actor lost his wife Mookambika 18 years ago.

Sandalwood has expressed its condolence on the death of the departed actor. In a press release, Dr Bharathi Vishnuvardhana, wife of late actor Dr Vishnuvardhana, was quoted saying that Rathnakar has proved his potential in acting in comedy roles and he had also shown his potentiality in the direction department.

The renowned names of the Kannada film industry like Jayanthi, Doddanna, Shivarajakumar, Dr Jayamala and Darshan paid their respect to the actor.

Rathnakar, who had acted in more than 300 films, died at the age of 79 and is survived by three sons. He started with acting in theaters and later got roles in movies and acted with big names in Sandalwood like Dr Rajkumar, Ambarish, late Vishnuvardhan, late Shankar Nag and Dwarakish.

-- Sampurn Wire