Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – 29 October 2021) was a popular Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter, philanthropist, and producer who worked in Kannada films. He was known as Appu among his fans after playing the lead role in the film Appu. Also known as Power Star among the consumers.
Puneeth was the youngest son of legendary Kannada film actor and matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar. Puneet was also a popular actor. He acted in more than 32 films in his film career. Most of the movies and dramas he acted in had themes of family relationships and social messages.
| Attribute | Details |
| Full name | Puneeth Rajkumar |
| Born | 17 March 1975 |
| Died | 29 October 2021 |
| Nick Name | Appu, Power Star |
| Parents | Dr. Rajkumar (Father)
Parvathamma Rajkumar (Mother) |
| Spouse | Ashwini Raventh |
| Children | 2 ( Dhriti & Bandita ) |
Personal Details:
Puneeth Rajkumar was born on 17 March 1975 as the fifth child of Madras matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar and Parvathamma Rajkumar. Puneeth has an elder sister Purnima Rajkumar, elder brothers Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar. His two elder brothers are Shiva Kumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and are professional actors.
Puneeth Rajkumar married Ashwini Revanth on 1 December 1999. They met through a common friend. They now have two daughters, Dhriti and Bandita. He died of a heart attack on 29 October 2021 at the age of just 46.
Acting Career:
1976–1989: As child actor
Puneeth Rajkumar made his acting debut as a child actor in the thriller film Premada Kanike (1976) when he was just 6 months old. He then worked in Sandhi Apanna in 1977.
He then recorded the most popular songs in Thaige Thakka Maga in 1978, Geetha in 1980. He acted in the dramas Bhoomige Banda Bhagavant in 1981 and Rangaar Bhagavant in 1982. That year, he acted with his father in two hit films. He received his first Karnataka State Film Award for the former film. He received his second Karnataka State Film Award in 1983 for his portrayal of Prahlada and Eradu Nakshatragalu. In 1984, Puneeth acted in the thriller Yaarivanu opposite Rajkumar and did “Kaanige Kanuva”. For his portrayal of the innocent Ramu, Puneet won the Best Child Artist Award at the 33rd National Film Awards.
In 1994, Puneet started working as a manager in his family’s production house. His first film as a manager was Raghavendra-starrer Geluvina Sardara.
2002–2021: Debut as lead
Puneeth started his acting career as a lead actor in the film Apu in 2002. He played the role of a college boy in Gurukiran’s musical film, which was a box office success and critics praised his dancing skills. The film was remade into a Telugu film in 2002 and a Tamil film in 2003.
Meher Ramesh’s Veera Kannadigga, released in 2004, was Puneeth’s first film in film career. He had two films released in 2005. Another film was released in 2007. Thus, he acted in a total of 32 films before his death.
Popularity and other works:
In the last two decades, Puneet has transformed from an actor to an icon like his father Dr. Rajkumar.
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation
In 2019, Puneeth Rajkumar became the brand ambassador of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation. He refused to take any money for this work. He has encouraged people to use public transport more. He has been actively supporting BMTC’s campaigns for priority lanes for buses, low-congestion days and a campaign against harassment of women.
Brand ambassador for the state-run Karnataka Milk Federation
Following his father, Puneet Rajkumar started working as the brand ambassador of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).
Dr. Rajkumar became the brand ambassador of Karnataka Milk Federation in 1990. He remained the brand ambassador till his death in 2006. Later, at the request of KMF MD Premnath, Puneet Rajkumar became the brand ambassador of KMF in 2011. Like his father, he did not pay any fee but said, “Since my father did not take money, how can I take money?”
Right to Education
Puneeth Rajkumar has done various works for education in the last few decades. According to reports, Puneeth Rajkumar used to bear the education expenses of thousands of students every year. He has also financially supported many Kannada-medium schools in the state.
The state government requested Puneeth Rajkumar to become the band ambassador to highlight the importance of education among the people through TV channels. Puneeth responded with interest, saying that he did not take any money as remuneration for this work as usual.
COVID-19 Pandemic
During times of crisis, Puneet not only helped financially but also encouraged others to donate. In the midst of the first wave of COVID-19 infections, Puneet donated Rs 50 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in March 2020.
In 2020, when everyone was confined to their homes during the COVID-19 and pandemic in India, Puneet fearlessly worked to raise public awareness.
Playback singing
Puneet was a singer as well as an actor. He sang a solo song in “Appu” and a duet in “Jothe Jotheali”. Puneet sang a song “Kanna Sanne Indhalene” for the movie Rajkumar Akira. He used to donate the money he earned from singing to charities, several orphanages and old age homes.
Awards
- On November 1, 2022, he was posthumously awarded the Karnataka Ratna after his death.
- On 22 March 2022, he was posthumously awarded honorary doctorate from University of Mysore at its 102nd convocation and was received by his wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar.
- On May 3, 2022, he was given the Basavashree Award posthumously for the year 2021.
- He was posthumously conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 67th Filmfare Awards.
- The State Government announced to mark his birthday as “Inspiration Day”.
