RAJ KUMAR PASSES AWAY; SMALL RIOT ENSUES

How come the only Bollywood news we seem to report these days is when someone dies, goes to jail, or has a riot? What's wrong with us?

Technically this isn't Bollywood news at all, however, so we're safe. Raj Kumar, a legend in India's Kannada film industry, passed away yesterday of a heart attack at the age of 76. The star of over 220 movies, Raj Kumar was known as a good guy (often called "Big Brother") who refused to smoke onscreen and, after his early days, would not play a drunk, either. In 2000 he was kidnapped by the notorious bandit, Veerappan, but was released after 108 days.

After his death, grieving fans wanting to pay their last respects, stormed his house and had to be dispersed with tear gas. The situation degenerated and police cars and buses were set on fire. Finally, his body was moved to a public park where the crowds could pay their respects more easily (read: without rioting). He will receive a state funeral today, which has been announced as a government holiday.