Puneeth Rajkumar

In this Indian name, the name Rajkumar is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Puneeth.

Puneeth Rajkumar
Puneeth in 2021
Born
Lohith Rajkumar

(1975-03-17)17 March 1975
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Died29 October 2021(2021-10-29) (aged 46)
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Other namesAppu, Power Star
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • film producer
  • television presenter
  • philanthropist
Years active1976–2022
Spouse
Ashwini Revanth
​
(m. 1999)​
Children2
Parents
RelativesSee Rajkumar family
AwardsFull list
HonoursKarnataka Ratna (2022) (posthumously)

Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – 29 October 2021), affectionately known as Appu (by his fans, after his first lead role in the movie Appu), was an Indian actor, playback singer, film producer, television presenter and philanthropist who worked in Kannada cinema. He was the youngest son of legendary 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. 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.[1] He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role of Ramu in Bettada Hoovu.[2] 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. 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.[3]

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), Aakash (2005), Arasu (2007), Milana (2007), Vamshi (2008), Raam (2009), Jackie (2010), Hudugaru (2011), Power (2014),Raajakumara (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.[4][5] He was one of the most famous celebrities and one of the highest paid actors in Kannada cinema of his time.[6] In 2012, he debuted as a television presenter on the game show Kannadada Kotyadhipati, a Kannada version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.[7][8][9] Post his eye donation, Narayana Nethralaya recorded 85,000 pledges within one year as against 65,000 pledges in 28 years.[10]

  1. ^ "Puneeth Rajkumar Biography, Life Story, Career, Awards & Achievements". Filmibeat. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  2. ^ Bharadwaj, K. V. Aditya (30 October 2021). "For Puneeth Rajkumar, this was no time to die". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Karnataka Ratna for Puneeth". The Hindu. 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Superstars of the Kannada Film Industry". Archived from the original on 24 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  5. ^ Suresh, Sunayana. "3 films for Puneeth, Puneeth Rajkumar this year". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Top 20 Highest Paid South Indian Actors of 2014". International Business Times. ibtimes.co.in. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Koti was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Puneeth Rajkumar: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  9. ^ "2005 Year Round Up". chitraloka.com. 30 December 2005. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  10. ^ Yasmeen, Afshan (29 October 2022). "Puneeth's eye donation inspired over 85,000 to pledge eyes over one year; 2,250 eyes collected". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.