Puneeth Rajkumar

Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – 29 October 2021), colloquially known as Appu, was an Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter, and producer, who worked in Kannada cinema. He was the youngest son of actor and matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar, He was one of the most popular actors in Kannada cinema. He was the lead in 30 films; as a child, he appeared in many films. His performances in ''Vasantha Geetha'' (1980), '' Bhagyavantha'' (1981), ''Chalisuva Modagalu'' (1982), '' Eradu Nakshatragalu'' (1983), '' Bhakta Prahaladha'', '' Yarivanu'' and '' Bettada Hoovu'' (1985) were praised. He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role of Ramu in ''Bettada Hoovu''. He also won Karnataka State Award Best Child artist for ''Chalisuva Modagalu'' and ''Eradu Nakshatragalu''. Puneeth's first lead role was in 2002's ''Appu''. He was conferred with the Doctorate by Mysuru University. The Karnataka Government conferred the state's highest civilian award, Karnataka Ratna, to Puneeth Rajkumar on 1 November 2022, posthumously.

He had been called, by the media and fans, "Power Star". His films as an actor are primarily of the action genre, but the films produced by him under the PRK Productions banner are of the comedy drama genre, with the theme of family relationships and conveying a social message. He appeared as a lead actor in many commercially successful films, including ''Appu'' (2002), ''Abhi'' (2003), '' Veera Kannadiga'' (2004), '' Mourya'' (2004), ''Aakash'' (2005), '' Ajay'' (2006), '' Arasu'' (2007), '' Milana'' (2007), '' Vamshi'' (2008), '' Raam'' (2009), '' Jackie'' (2010), ''Hudugaru'' (2011), '' Power'' (2014), ''Rana Vikrama'' (2015), ''Raajakumara'' (2017), ''Anjani Putra'' (2017), ''Natasaarvabhowma (2019), Yuvarathnaa (2021)'' and '' James'' (2022). His last silver screen appearance, a Docu-drama ''Gandhada Gudi'' where he played himself was released on 28th October coincidentally marking his first death anniversary. He was one of the most famous celebrities and one of the highest paid actors in Kannada cinema. In 2012, he debuted as a television presenter on the game show '' Kannadada Kotyadhipati'', a Kannada version of '' Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?''. Post his eye donation, Narayana Nethralaya recorded 85,000 pledges within one year as against 65,000 pledges in 28 years.

Personal life

Puneeth (born Lohith) was born in Madras to the matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar and Parvathamma Rajkumar on 17 March 1975. He was their fifth and youngest child. When Puneeth was six years old, his family moved to Mysore. His father brought him and his sister Poornima to his film sets until he was ten years old. His elder brothers, Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar, are also professional actors.

Puneeth married Ashwini Revanth from Chikmagalur on 1 December 1999. They met through a common friend, and have two daughters Drithi and Vanditha.

Acting career

1976–1989: As child actor

Director V. Somashekar cast Puneeth (then known as Lohith) onscreen when he was six months old in his thriller film ''Premada Kanike'' (1976), and ''Aarathi''. This was followed by Vijay's '' Sanaadi Appanna'' (1977), based on Krishnamoorthy Puranik's novel of the same name, when Puneeth was one year old. ''Thayige Thakka Maga'' (1978) was again directed by V. Somashekar and starred his father. Two years later, directors Dorai–Bhagavan cast him as Shyam in ''Vasantha Geetha'' (1980). This was followed by K. S. L. Swamy's mythological drama '' Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha'' (1981, appearing as Lord Krishna) and B. S. Ranga's '' Bhagyavantha'' (1982), in which he recorded his first popular song: "Baana Daariyalli Soorya", composed by T. G. Lingappa. That year, he appeared in two hit films (''Chalisuva Modagalu'' and ''Hosa Belaku'') with his father. For the former, Puneeth received his first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Male). In 1983, he appeared in two mythological films: ''Bhakta Prahlada'' as the protagonist, Prahlada, and '' Eradu Nakshatragalu'', for which he received his second Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor.

In 1984, Puneeth starred with Rajkumar in the thriller '' Yarivanu'' and sang "Kannige Kaanuva", written by Rajan–Nagendra. His biggest break as a child actor came in the 1985 drama '' Bettada Hoovu'', directed by N. Lakshminarayan and based on Shirley L. Arora's novel ''What Then, Raman?'' For his portrayal of the innocent Ramu, Puneeth received the award for Best Child Artist at the 33rd National Film Awards. In his early teens, he appeared in ''Shiva Mecchida Kannappa'' (1988) as the young Kannappa with his elder brother, Shiva. Puneeth's final child role was in ''Parashuram'' (1989), with his father.

In 1994, Puneeth began working as a manager in his family's production house. His first film as a manager was ''Geluvina Saradara'' (1996) starring Raghavendra.

2002–2007: Debut as lead and breakthrough

In April 2002, Puneeth made his film debut as a leading man in the film ''Appu'' with actress, Rakshita also making her film debut. The musical by Gurukiran, directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar, in which he played a college boy, was a box office success and critics praised his dancing skills. Puneeth sang "Taliban Alla Alla", with lyrics by Upendra and music by Gurukiran. The film's success spawned remakes in Telugu ( Idiot (2002)) and Tamil ( ''Dum'' (2003)).

Puneeth next appeared in Dinesh Babu's ''Abhi'' (2003) as a plucky college boy who is devoted to his mother. In the film, based on a true story and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar, he starred with debutante Ramya.

Meher Ramesh's '' Veera Kannadiga'' was Puneeth's first 2004 release. The film, written by Puri Jagannadh, was simultaneously made in Telugu as ''Andhrawala'' with N. T. Rama Rao Jr. in the lead role. Paired with debutante Anitha, it showcased his dancing and stunt skills. Although the film was criticised for its violence and poor plot, it was successful at the box office. Puneeth next starred in S. Narayan's family drama ''Maurya'', a remake of the Telugu '' Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi'', starring Ravi Teja and written by Puri Jagannadh. The remake enhanced Puneeth's reputation as an actor in his own right.

He released two films in 2005. Mahesh Babu's ''Aakash'' reunited Puneeth with Ramya (from ''Abhi'') and he appeared in Veera Shankar's action film ''Namma Basava'', with Gowri Munjal. He recorded songs in both films. Puneeth's only 2006 release was ''Ajay'', directed by Meher Ramesh and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. In the film, a remake of the 2003 Telugu '' Okkadu'', he played a professional ''kabaddi'' player who protects a girl endangered by her uncle (played by Prakash Raj). As a result of these films, Puneeth was called the "Powerstar of Sandalwood".

Puneeth's first release in 2007 was his production ''Arasu'', directed by Mahesh Babu, in which he played an expatriate businessman who renounces his wealth for the woman he loves. For his performance, he received his first Filmfare Best Actor award. Puneeth's other release that year was Prakash's reaffirmation of traditional family values ''Milana''. Actress Parvathy Parvathy (actress) made her debut into Kannada films with this film. Puneeth played the radio jockey Akash. For the film, he received his first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor.

2008–2015: Other films

The actor released two films in 2008: D. Rajendra Babu's ''Bindaas'' and Prakash's ''Vamshi''. Puneeth's first 2009 release was '' Raaj – The Showman''. Although the film (directed by Prem) was criticised, his performance was praised. His other film ''Raam'', with Priyamani, was a remake of the Telugu hit Ready.

Puneeth returned to the limelight in 2010 with back-to-back hits. The first was Jacob Varghese's political thriller ''Prithvi'', in which he played a bureaucrat in Ballari district who fights corruption. His next release was the action film '' Jackie'', directed by Duniya Soori, which was a commercial success. In 2011, Puneeth co-starred in K. Madesh's ''Hudugaru'', a remake of the Tamil film ''Nadodigal'' in which he reprised M. Sasikumar's role in the original. For his performance, he received his second Filmfare and first SIIMA Best Actor awards. In Yogaraj Bhat's travelogue ''Paramathma'', Puneeth's next release, his character searches for love.

He worked with Soori again in 2012 on the action film ''Anna Bond'', produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar. For his performance, he received the Suvarna Best Actor award and was nominated for an IIFA award. Puneeth starred in another Tamil remake ''Poraali'', filmed in Kannada as '' Yaare Koogadali'', by Samuthirakani.

In 2014, Puneeth starred in Jayanth C. Paranjee's romance ''Ninnindale'', with Erica Fernandes. Although his performance as a New York-based adventure enthusiast based in New York was praised by critics, the film was unsuccessful at the box office. Puneeth's next release was K. Madesh's '' Power***'', a remake of the Telugu film ''Dookudu''. Appearing with Trisha for the first time, he played a tough police officer. The film earned a record ₹22 crore (220 million) in six days. In 2015, he played himself in B. M. Giriraj's film ''Mythri'', which also starred Mohanlal and Bhavana. Puneeth's other release that year was Pawan Wadeyar's ''Rana Vikrama'', an action film with Adah Sharma and Anjali.

2016–2022

In March 2016, Puneeth worked for M. Saravanan's ''Chakravyuha'' and Duniya Soori's '' Doddmane Hudga''. In 2017, he appeared in Santhosh Ananddram 's ''Raajakumara'', which broke all-records in box-office and became the highest-grossing Kannada-language film of all time beating previous record of ''Mungaru Male'', later the record was taken up by the movie '' K.G.F: Chapter 1''. He also had the starring role in A Harsha's ''Anjani Putra'' alongside Rashmika Mandanna, which was a remake of Tamil film ''Poojai''.
Puneeth Rajkumar has played narrator role in the Anup Bhandari directed ''Rajaratha''. In 2019 his film ''Natasaarvabhowma'' was released and also had commercial success. His last film as a leading role, '' James'', was posthumously released on what would have been Puneeth's 47th birthday, 17 March 2022. It broke the record for the biggest opening day collection, and was the fastest Kannada movie to gross 100 crores.

Other works

Puneeth was involved in philanthropy with his mother at the Shakti Dhama ashram

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