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BENGALURU: Veteran Kannada film producer and distributor Parvathamma Rajkumar passed away early on Wednesday at a private hospital here, said its spokesperson. She was 78.

 "Parvathamma died at 4.40 a.m., due to cardiac arrest after her blood pressure dropped since Tuesday night," M.S. Ramaiah Hospital spokesperson Prakash told IANS. Parvathamma, widow of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar, is survived by three sons and two daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law and grand-children.

 "A cancer patient, Parvathamma was admitted to the hospital on May 14, and was on ventilator for the last 12 days due to multiple organ failure after the malignancy spread to her lungs and liver," said Prakash.

Since 14 May 2017, Parvathamma had been under treatment at the MS Ramaiah Hospital, as she was suffering from both renal problems as well as difficulty in breathing. She was on ventilation previously, and underwent a tracheostomy a few days ago; after the procedure, she developed a fever. The Hindu reports that she suffered a massive cardiac arrest.

The late producer’s body has been taken to her son Raghavendra’s residence, and will be placed at Poorna Pragna grounds for people to pay their respects. Her eyes were donated — like her husband’s upon his death in 2006.

Parvathamma was born in Saligrama in the Mysore district of Karnataka on 6 December 1969. She was 13 when she married Rajkumar in 1953. The couple had three sons — Shiva, Raghavendra and Puneeth — all of whom were launched by her in films that she produced.

She produced over 80 films during her career. The most successful of these, starring her husband, are Haalu Jenu, Jeevana Chaitra and Trimurthy. Her brothers, SA Govindaraj, SA Srinivas and SA Chinne Gowda, are also film producers.

 Sandalwood superstar Rajkumar passed away on April 12, 2006, at the age of 77 here. All her sons -- Shivaraj, Raghavendra and Puneeth -- are also popular Kannada cine stars.

 "The three sons and other close family members were present by her side during her final moments," added Prakash.

 Parvathamma, born on December 6, 1939, at Saligrama in Mysuru district, produced about 80 Kannada films and was distributor for over 100 films. She was married to Rajkumar at the age of 14 in 1953. 

 "Her eyes have been donated to Narayana Nethralaya with the family’s consent, as were Rajkumar’s soon after he passed away in 2006," said a source in the hospital.

 Security has been tightened at Rajkumar’s house in the city’s upscale Sadashivanagar colony to maintain law and order, as hundreds of people began to throng for a last glimpse of her.

 "Her mortal remains will be buried on Wednesday evening at Kanteerva Studio adjacent to that of Rajkumar in the city’s northwest suburb after people pay homage to her at the Poornaprajna grounds near the house," said a family member.