Puneeth Rajkumar
Puneeth Rajkumar
17.03.1975 - 29.10.2021 (46 gadi) (Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)
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.