National Award-winning actor Sanchari Vijay breathed his last on Monday evening at Bengaluru's Apollo Hospital. He was 38. Vijay was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after he met with a road accident on June 12. The actor was declared brain dead and his family then decided to donate his organs. On Monday evening, the hospital issued a statement and said they'll start the transplant procedure soon.

"Vijay’s apnea tests were performed at 12.25 pm and 7.50 pm today (Monday) and are found to be positive. This means that there is irreversible complete damage to the brain. The next step is the retrieval of organs and then transplant procedures will follow at various hospitals, including Apollo," the statement read. 

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Vijay's mortal remains were kept at Ravindra Kalakshetra campus between 8 am and 10 am today for people to pay their last respects. The funeral is expected to happen today at his birthplace, Panchanahalli in Kadur taluk with full state honours. 

Born as Vijay Kumar B, the actor hailed from Chikkamagaluru district. An engineering graduate, Vijay got the name Sanchari because of his association with Sanchari Theatre, run by actor Rangayana Raghu and his wife Mangala. 

Vijay started his acting career with a film titled Rangappa Hogbitna in the year 2011. He starred in Kannada films like Dasavala, Harivu, Oggarane, Killing Veerappan, Varthamana and Sipaayi to name a few. He won a National Award for the film Naanu Avanalla Avalu.

(Source: The New Indian Express)