Puneeth Rajkumar

Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – 29 October 2021), colloquially known as Appu was an Indian actor, philanthropist, 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 appeared as a lead in 32 films.

As a child, he appeared in many films.

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.

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.

His performances as a child actor in Vasantha Geetha (1980), Bhagyavantha (1981), Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983), Bhakta Prahaladha (1983), Yarivanu (1984) 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.

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.

Puneeth married Ashwini Revnath from Chikmagalur on 1 December 1999.

They met through a common friend, and have two daughters Drithi and Vanditha.

Puneeth's first lead role was in 2002's Appu.

In a career spanning three decades, he has won one National Film Award, four Karnataka State Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards South and five SIIMA awards.

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.

Puneeth was nicknamed "Power Star" by media and fans.

His films as an actor were primarily family dramas and action films but the films produced by him under the PRK Productions banner were of the comedy drama genre, with the theme of family relationships and conveying social messages.

He appeared as a lead actor in many commercially successful films such as 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, the docu-drama Gandhada Gudi where he played himself, was released on 28 October 2022 coincidentally marking his first death anniversary.

He was one of the most famous celebrities and one of the highest paid actors in Kannada cinema of his time.

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.