Kannada actor-producer Rockline Venkatesh in hospital, may have contracted COVID-19

Well-known Kannada actor and producer Rockline Venkatesh, who had co-produced Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), was admitted to hospital in Bengaluru after complaining of breathlessness. Accordng to The Times of India newspaper, Venkatesh is being treated by his son Abhilash, who is a doctor.

It is not known if Venkatesh has tested positive for COVID-19, but reports indicate that he may have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus from actress Sumalatha Ambareesh, who has tested positive.

In the last week of June, Venkatesh and Sumalatha had met Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa in connection with the construction of a memorial for the late actor MH Ambareesh, who died in 2018. Venkatesh is a close friend of the Ambareesh family.

Venkatesh made his debut as a producer with the film Belli Modagalu starring Ramesh Aravind. He also proved his mettle as an actor in films like Killing Veerappan (2016) and the Tami film Naachiyaar (2018).

He is currently working on a period drama titled Rajaveera Madakari Nayaka, starring Darshan. The film, which was supposed to go on the floors in April, has been postponed due to the pandemic. The makers are currently working on its pre-production.

Venkatesh is also known for bankrolling the Rajinikanth-starrer Lingaa (2014), which failed at the box office and had distributors literally begging for a refund. In 2015, the distributors of Lingaa protested in front of Rajinikanth’s house, demanding a refund from the star for their losses.