Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai laid foundation stone for a memorial to late Sandalwood Megastar Ambareesh on Sunday at Kanteerava Studio. Speaking on the occasion Bommai recalled his memories with Ambareesh and said that a beautiful memorial will soon be built for late Sandalwood megastar Ambareesh, and will attract visitors from neighbouring states too.

He disclosed his friendship with Ambareesh and he said, I used to call Ambareesh by his name. Ours was a 40-year-long friendship. We did everything that friends do, eat; roam together, the usual and unusual things. Praising Ambareesh as a man who lived on his own terms, Amabareesh’s life was like an open book. Ambareesh never compromised with his conscience. One who lives according to his own terms and conscience is the real hero. He was born with leadership qualities. Though he started his cinema career as a villain, he emerged as a superhero.

Recalling Ambareesh’s stint in politics, he said Ambareesh did not cling to power and instead, had special affection for the poor and farmers. When the Cauvery water dispute erupted, he quit the Union Ministry and was the only politician to give up power during the agitation, Bommai said.