Popular Kannada actor, television presenter, and former radio jockey Aparna Vastarey passed away on Thursday (July 11) night, sources close to her said. Vastarey, 57, had been battling lung cancer for the last two years, her husband Nagaraj Vastarey said. Known for her work as a presenter on DD Chandana and anchoring several government programmes and events, she had a strong fan base because of her perfect Kannada diction. Aparna Vastarey Dies: Popular Kannada TV Anchor and Voice of Namma Metro Announcements Passes Away; Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Condoles Demise.

In 1998, she set a record by presenting shows for eight hours at a stretch during Diwali celebrations. She made her cinematic debut in 1984 with Puttanna Kanagal's last film, Masanada Hoovu and acted in a number of Kannada TV shows. Vastarey was also the voice behind the Bengaluru Metro announcements. She appeared in the Kannada reality television show Bigg Boss, and her role as Varalakshmi in the popular comedy show Majaa Talkies was appreciated by the people. Dwarakish Dies: Rajinikanth Pens Heartfelt Note For Late Kannada Actor-Director.

RIP Aparna Vastarey

Several film, television, literary, and political personalities, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, condoled Vastarey's death. "Saddened to hear the news of the death of actress and famous presenter Aparna. A multifaceted talent who was a household name in the state, by presenting in the Kannada language very elegantly in the programmes of major Kannada channels and government functions, has left us very soon," Siddaramaiah posted on X.