Puneeth Rajkumar was an Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter, and producer who was predominantly known for his work in Kannada cinema. Some of his best performances include Vasantha Geetha, Bhagyavantha, Chalisuva Modagalu, Eradu Nakshatragalu, Bhakta Prahaladha, Yarivanu, and Bettada Hoovu. Puneeth was in the entertainment field since childhood and he was also a recipient of National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role of Ramu in Bettada Hoovu.
Wiki/Biography
Puneeth Rajkumar was born on Monday, 17 March 1975 (age 46 years; at the time of death) in Chennai, India. His zodiac sign was Pisces. He was often called by the name Appu. H=Inspired by his father, he was fond of acting and singing by childhood.
Puneeth Rajkumar’s childhood picture with his father
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
Family
Puneeth Rajkumar was born in the Idiga (Ediga) community.
Parents & Siblings
Puneeth Rajkumar was born into a family belonging to the Kannada cinema. His father, Dr. Rajkumar, was a matinee idol, an Indian actor and singer by profession. Puneeth’s mother, Parvathamma Rajkumar was an Indian film producer and distributor.
Puneeth Rajkumar with his parents and elder brothers
Puneeth Rajkumar was the youngest child of the five children in the family. He had two elder brothers and two elder sisters. Both his brothers Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar are actors. His sisters Lakshmi and Poornima are not into the entertainment field.
Career
Acting (as child artist)
Puneeth Rajkumar made his first on-screen appearance when he was just six months old. Kannada director V. Somashekar cast him in his thriller film “Premada Kanike.” Next, at the age of one, he became part of a Kannada-language musical film, “Sanaadi Appanna.” The film is based on Krishnamoorthy Puranikthe novel Kuniyitu Hejje Naliyithu Gejje, and featured Puneeth, Jaya Prada, Ashok, Balakrishna, R. Sampath, Thoogudeepa Srinivas, Papamma, and Baby Madhavi. In 1980, Puneeth stared in Dorai-Bhagavan directed romantic drama film “Vasantha Geetha,” where he played the character of Shyam. He gained the opportunity to star with his father and legendary Sandalwood actor Rajkumar in the action thriller “Yarivanu.” Puneeth gained huge popularity as a child artist after appearing in the drama film “Bettada Hoovu,” directed by N. Lakshminarayan and based on Shirley L. Arora’s novel What then, Raman?. He also received a National Film Award for Best Child Artist for portraying the character of Ramu in the film.
Puneeth Rajkumar’s still from the movie ‘Sanaadi Appanna’
Puneeth Rajkumar being awarded with the National Film Award for Best Child Artist
Acting (as a lead actor)
Puneeth Rajkumar made his acting debut as lead actor in 2002 with the romantic action comedy film, Appu. Puneeth played the character of Appu opposite Rakshita in Puri Jagannadh directed action film. His performance in the film was highly appreciated by the critics as well as the audience. The film was a huge hit at the box office and proved to be a breakthrough for Puneeth’s career.
Puneeth Rajkumar’s still from the movie ‘Abhi’
In 2003, Puneeth Rajkumar appeared onscreen as Abhi in the romantic comedy “Abhi,” a film written and directed by Dinesh Babu. The following year, he became part of Meher Ramesh directed drama film “Veera Kannadiga.” He was paired with debutante Anitha and showcased his dancing and stunt skills in the film. Although the film was badly trolled for its storyline, it was a huge hit on the Box Office in 2004. Thereafter, he appeared in a number of commercially successful films like Aakash, Ajay, Milana, Jackie, and many more.
Singer
Puneeth Rajkumar joined the field of singing in 2002. He sang the song “Taliban Alla Alla” for the film Appu. This song was written by Gurukiran and directed by Puri Jagannadh. The duo of Puneeth Rajkumar and Gurukiran emerged as a magical singing duo and delivered a number of hit songs together which includes “Mama Mama Maja Madu,” “Jothe Jotheyali,” “Mylapura Mylari,” and “Kaanadanthe Maayavadanu.”
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spB_cb5IaGs[/embed]
Television Presenter
Puneeth Rajkumar, in 2012, debuted on Indian television as a host for the first season of “Kannadada Kotyadhipati.” The show was modelled on the British show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.” Next, he hosted the Colors Kannada’s reality show, “Family Power.”
Puneeth Rajkumar hosting ‘Kannadada Kotyadhipati’
Death
On 29 October 2021, Puneeth Rajkumar was admitted to Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru after he collapsed suddenly while working out in the gym. Later, the doctors at the Vikram Hospital revealed that he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest and declared him dead.
Facts/Trivia
- Puneeth Rajkumar was once the brand ambassador of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Royal Challengers Bangalore.
- He was associated with a number of popular brands like Karnataka Milk Federation’s Nandini Milk products, LED Bulb Project, 7 Up (PepsiCo), F-Square, Dixcy Scott, Malabar Gold, and Manappuram.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk-7dCDK6e0[/embed]