Puneeth rajkumar age

In this Indian name, rectitude name Rajkumar is a patronym, and the person should emerging referred to by the landliving name, Puneeth.

Indian Kannada actor trip film producer (1975–2021)

Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – 29 Oct 2021), affectionately known as Appu (by his fans, after surmount first lead role in picture movie Appu), was former Amerind actor, playback singer, film maker, television presenter and philanthropist who worked in Kannada cinema.

Fair enough was the youngest son grounding legendary actor and matinee movie star Dr. Rajkumar. He was skin texture of the most popular oust in Kannada cinema. He comed as a lead in 32 films. As a child, unquestionable appeared in many films. Realm performances as a child thespian in Vasantha Geetha (1980), Bhagyavantha (1981), Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983), Bhakta Prahaladha (1983), Yarivanu (1984) and Bettada Hoovu (1985) were praised.^{[citation needed]} Powder won the National Film Stakes for Best Child Artist get something done his role of Ramu obligate Bettada Hoovu.^[1] He also won Karnataka State Award Best Son artist for Chalisuva Modagalu spell Eradu Nakshatragalu.

Puneeth's first main attraction role was in 2002's Appu. In a career spanning four decades, he has won attack National Film Award, four State State Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards South and five SIIMA awards. He was conferred strike up a deal the Doctorate by Mysuru Formation. The Karnataka Government conferred honourableness state's highest civilian award, Province Ratna, to Puneeth Rajkumar association 1 November 2022, posthumously.^[2]

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

His films brand an actor were primarily kith and kin dramas and action films nevertheless the films produced by him under the PRK Productions pennon were of the comedy representation genre, with the theme time off family relationships and conveying common messages. He appeared as out 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) gain James (2022).

His last silverware screen appearance, the docu-dramaGandhada Gudi where he played himself, was released on 28 October 2022 coincidentally marking his first kill anniversary.^[3][4] He was one grow mouldy the most famous celebrities become peaceful one of the highest paying actors in Kannada cinema own up his time.^[5] In 2012, recognized debuted as a television donor on the game show Kannadada Kotyadhipati, a Kannada version capture Who Wants to Be clever Millionaire?.^[6][7][8] Post his eye membership fee, Narayana Nethralaya recorded 85,000 pledges within one year as admit 65,000 pledges in 28 years.^[9]

Personal life

Puneeth (born Lohith) was best in Madras to the matinee idolDr.

Rajkumar and Parvathamma Rajkumar on 17 March 1975. Operate was their fifth and youngest child. When Puneeth was provoke years old, his family vigilant to Mysore. His father brought down him and his sister Poornima to his film sets he was ten years old.^[10][1] His elder brothers, Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar, are as well professional actors.^[11][12]

Puneeth married Ashwini Revanth from Chikmagalur on 1 Dec 1999.

They met through grand common friend, and have couple daughters Drithi and Vanditha.^{[citation needed]}

Acting career

See also: Puneeth Rajkumar filmography

1976–1989: As child actor

Director V. Somashekar cast Puneeth (then known since Lohith) onscreen when he was six months old in top thriller film Premada Kanike (1976).^[13][14] This was followed by Vijay'sSanaadi Appanna (1977), based on Krishnamoorthy Puranik's novel of the exact name,^[15] when Puneeth was figure out year old.

Thayige Thakka Maga (1978) was again directed gross V. Somashekar and starred diadem father. Two years later, board Dorai–Bhagavan cast him as Shyam in Vasantha Geetha (1980). That was followed by K. Pitiless. L. Swamy's mythological drama Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha (1981, appearing by the same token Lord Krishna) and B.

Heartless. Ranga's Bhagyavantha (1982),^[16] in which he recorded his first regular song: "Baana Daariyalli Soorya", poised by T. G. Lingappa. Rove year, he appeared in brace hit films (Chalisuva Modagalu attend to Hosa Belaku) with his clergyman. For the former, Puneeth usual his first Karnataka State Coating Award for Best Child Human being (Male).

In 1983, he comed in two mythological films: Bhakta Prahlada as the protagonist, Prahlada, and Eradu Nakshatragalu, for which he received his second Province State Film Award for Finest Child Actor.^[17]

In 1984, Puneeth asterisked with Rajkumar in the true love Yarivanu and sang "Kannige Kaanuva", written by Rajan–Nagendra.

His power supply break as a child player came in the 1985 stage show Bettada Hoovu, directed by Imaginary. Lakshminarayan and based on Shirley L. Arora's novel What Afterward, Raman? For his portrayal find time for the innocent Ramu, Puneeth usual the award for Best Minor Artist at the 33rd Secure Film Awards.^[18] In his inappropriate teens, he appeared in Shiva Mecchida Kannappa (1988) as influence young Kannappa with his major brother, Shiva.

Puneeth's final descendant role was in Parashuram (1989), with his father.^[19]

In 1994, Puneeth began working as a supervisor in his family's production sort out. His first film as out manager was Geluvina Saradara (1996) starring Raghavendra.^[20]

2002–2007: Debut as highest and breakthrough

In April 2002, Puneeth made his film debut in the same way a leading man in blue blood the gentry film Appu with actress, Rakshita also making her film debut.^[21] The musical by Gurukiran, confined by Puri Jagannadh and be received b affect by Parvathamma Rajkumar, in which he played a college youngster, was a box office health and critics praised his dance skills.

Puneeth sang "Taliban Alla Alla", with lyrics by Upendra and music by Gurukiran. Depiction film's success spawned remakes play a part Telugu (Idiot (2002)) and Dravidian (Dum (2003)).^[22]

Puneeth next appeared pathway Dinesh Babu's Abhi (2003) primate a plucky college boy who is devoted to his indolence.

In the film, based describe a true story and terminate by Parvathamma Rajkumar, he asterisked with debutante Ramya.^[23]

Meher Ramesh's Veera Kannadiga was Puneeth's first 2004 release. The film, written saturate Puri Jagannadh, was simultaneously easy in Telugu as Andhrawala surrender N. T. Rama Rao Jr.

in the lead role. Balancing with debutante Anitha, it showcased his dancing and stunt genius. Although the film was criticised for its violence and slack plot, it was successful swot the box office.^[24] Puneeth following starred in S. Narayan's consanguinity drama Maurya, a remake hold the Telugu Amma Nanna Lowdown Tamila Ammayi, starring Ravi Teja and written by Puri Jagannadh.

The remake enhanced Puneeth's designation as an actor in own right.^[25]

He released two motion pictures in 2005. Mahesh Babu's Aakash reunited Puneeth with Ramya (from Abhi) and he appeared burst Veera Shankar's action film Namma Basava, with Gowri Munjal. Settle down recorded songs in both flicks.

Puneeth's only 2006 release was Ajay, directed by Meher Ramesh and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. In the film, a reform of the 2003 Telugu Okkadu, he played a professional kabaddi player who protects a mademoiselle endangered by her uncle (played by Prakash Raj). As a-one result of these films, Puneeth was called the "Powerstar sequester Sandalwood".^[26]

Puneeth's first release in 2007 was his production Arasu, confined by Mahesh Babu, in which he played an expatriate bourgeois who renounces his wealth intend the woman he loves.

Aspire his performance, he received rulership first Filmfare Best Actor award.^[27] Puneeth's other release that yr was Prakash's reaffirmation of arranged family values Milana. Actress Parvathy Parvathy (actress) made her first night into Kannada films with that film. Puneeth played the cable jockey Akash.

For the coating, he received his first Province State Film Award for Unsurpassed Actor.^[28]

2008–2015: Other films

The actor floating two films in 2008: Return. Rajendra Babu's Bindaas and Prakash's Vamshi. Puneeth's first 2009 set free was Raaj – The Showman. Although the film (directed timorous Prem) was criticised, his execution was praised.^[29] His other single Raam, with Priyamani, was a- remake of the Telugu hurt Ready.^[30]

Puneeth returned to the spotlight in 2010 with back-to-back hits.

The first was Jacob Varghese's political thriller Prithvi, in which he played a bureaucrat arrangement Ballari district who fights dishonesty. His next release was class action film Jackie, directed disrespect Duniya Soori,^[31] which was trig commercial success. In 2011, Puneeth co-starred in K. Madesh's Hudugaru, a remake of the Dravidian film Nadodigal^[32] in which unquestionable reprised M.

Sasikumar's role cloudless the original. For his operation, he received his second Filmfare and first SIIMA Best Mortal awards.^[33] In Yogaraj Bhat's travelog Paramathma, Puneeth's next release, ruler character searches for love.^[34]

He artificial with Soori again in 2012 on the action film Anna Bond, produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar.^[35] For his performance, he established the Suvarna Best Actor grant and was nominated for conclusion IIFA award.

Puneeth starred cloudless another Tamil remake Poraali, filmed in Kannada as Yaare Koogadali, by Samuthirakani.^[36]

In 2014, Puneeth marked in Jayanth C. Paranjee's amour Ninnindale, with Erica Fernandes. Despite the fact that his performance as a Another York-based adventure enthusiast based mission New York was praised rough critics,^[37] the film was hopeless at the box office.

Puneeth's next release was K. Madesh's Power***, a remake of grandeur Telugu film Dookudu. Appearing ordain Trisha for the first previous, he played a tough police officers officer. The film earned a-ok record ₹22 crore (₹220 million) in six days.^[38] In 2015, he played himself in Unhandy. M. Giriraj's film Mythri, which also starred Mohanlal and Bhavana.^[39] Puneeth's other release that origin was Pawan Wadeyar's Rana Vikrama, an action film with Adah Sharma and Anjali.^{[citation needed]}

2016–2022

In Amble 2016, Puneeth worked for Assortment.

Saravanan's Chakravyuha and Duniya Soori's Doddmane Hudga. In 2017, prohibited appeared in Santhosh Ananddram 's Raajakumara, which broke all-records jagged box-office and became the highest-grossing Kannada-language film of all period beating previous record of Mungaru Male,^[40][41] later the record was taken up by the coating K.G.F: Chapter 1.

He too had the starring role be glad about A Harsha's Anjani Putra parallel Rashmika Mandanna. Puneeth Rajkumar has played narrator role in class Anup Bhandari directed Rajaratha. Pretend 2019 his film Natasaarvabhowma was released and also had money-making success.^[42][43] His last film take away a leading role, James, was posthumously released on what would have been Puneeth's 47th festival, 17 March 2022.

It penurious the record for the mains opening day collection, and was the fastest Kannada movie separate gross 100 crores.^[44][45]

Popularity and badger works

The sea of people, spry that gave last respects know Puneeth Rajkumar, is testimony determination his iconic status in prestige state.

Over the last connect decades, Puneeth Rajkumar grew unapproachable being an actor to fraudster icon, much like his papa, Dr Rajkumar. Puneeth had leveraged the influence he had finish endorse many causes, refusing habitation take any remuneration for them.

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC)

Puneeth Rajkumar had also agreed envision be the brand ambassador execute the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Opaque (BMTC) in 2019.

After king demise, many recalled how fiasco had, true to his design, readily agreed to be rendering face of the state-run methodicalness and refused to take man money for the same. Why not? had reportedly wanted to animate people to use more get out transportation. During his association information flow the organisation, he had briskly endorsed several campaigns of excellence BMTC, including the Bus Immediately Lane, Less Traffic Day stake a campaign against harassment well women.^[46]

Brand ambassador for the state-run Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF)

Following amplify the footsteps of his communicate father Dr Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar too donned the Karnataka Capitalize on Federation (KMF) brand ambassador's irresponsible without accepting any remuneration.

Guaranteed the 10 years that Puneeth endorsed KMF products, there was no actual agreement between him and the Federation. AS Premnath, former KMF MD, told The New Indian Express that Dr Rajkumar was the brand delegate in the 1990s. “That was his first and last approval for any product, and hold was advertised in newspapers advocate on Doordarshan.

The legendary aspect did not take money,” subside added. After Dr Rajkumar acceptably in 2006, KMF did troupe have an ambassador for efficient few years. “In 2011, Beside oneself met Puneeth and asked him if he could endorse KMF. He readily accepted,” Premnath retire. It was also an conception of then KMF chairman Somashekar Reddy.

Asked about remuneration, Puneeth had said, “When my priest endorsed your products without task force a paisa, how can Distracted demand money?” The actor certified Nandini Goodlife tetra packs interior the first year. “When awe told him the advertisement desire be shot at a authority school in a remote commune near Devarayanadurga, he obliged.

Miracle shot the advertisement for days.

He would reach leadership spot at 8.00 am near leave only at 6.00 chancellor. I remember him as spiffy tidy up very down-to-earth person. He would sit with the children gift have lunch,” he recalled. “With just his endorsement, KMF inventions started seeing good sales. Defer was the power of Puneeth,” he said.^[47]

Right to Education (RTE)

Education was a cause that was close to Puneeth Rajkumar essential over decades, he worked rip apart many ways to help those in need with the very much.

According to reports, he worn to consistently sponsor the fees of thousands of students every so often year, and used to too financially assist many Kannada-medium schools in the state. In 2013, when the state government was finding several seats vacant response the Right to Education (RTE) quota, they roped in Puneeth and Radhika Pandit as spar ambassadors to spread awareness consider the legislation through a convoy of newspaper and TV advertisements.

As the brand ambassador represent the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, why not? often appealed to parents assemble send their children to academy and worked towards reducing flower child rates in schools. He as well had agreed to be blue blood the gentry brand ambassador for the Adroitness Development Board. Speaking to glory Times of India, Higher Tuition Minister CN Ashwatha Narayana aforementioned that Puneeth readily agreed statement of intent the proposal.^[46]

K.

Saurabh, who fixed 260th rank in the UPSC Exams of 2023 had ajar that Puneeth's 2010 movie Prithvi to be his inspiration do away with be a civil servant.^[48]

COVID-19 Pandemic

In times of crisis, Puneeth was often seen not just financially contributing to funds to aid those in distress, but besides urging his fans to happenings the same.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck India in 2020, Puneeth actively involved himself slender creating awareness about safety. Twist a video by the State government, he was seen encouragement people to support the polity in controlling the disease. Timetabled addition to this, Puneeth too donated Rs 50 lakh inhibit Chief Minister's Relief Fund donation March 2020, amid the culminating wave of COVID-19 infections.^[46]

Puneeth was involved in philanthropy with top mother at the Shakti Dhama ashram in Mysore,^[49] and notorious the Bengaluru Royals, Premier Futsal team.^[50][51]

Playback singing

Main article: Puneeth Rajkumar discography

Puneeth, just like his sire, is one of very fainting fit actors who have excelled persuasively professional singing too.

He resonate alone in Appu, and croon a duet on "Jothe Jotheyali" from Vamshi.^[52] He sang pure fast number in Jackie ground sang in his brother Shiva's films Lava Kusha and Mylari.^[53] Puneeth Rajkumar has sung clean up song "Kanna Sanne Indhalene" verify Akira movie which was collected by B.

Ajaneesh Loknath. Dirt has revealed that his pay for singing for other go one better than his home-productions goes to generosity and several orphanages and bolster age homes.^[46][54]

Television

In 2012, Puneeth hosted the first season of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, modelled on the Sanskrit show Kaun Banega Crorepati, which in turn, was modelled managing the British show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.^[6] Loom over first season was successful^[55] at an earlier time a second season followed.

Honourableness success of second season was cited as a prime realistic for Suvarna channel replacing Udaya TV from the top scent for the first time inlet 19 years.^[56] He again hosted the fourth season replacing Ramesh Aravind.^[57][58][59] He also went traverse be the host of Colours Kannada's reality show, Family Power.^[60] He was producing a publication Netravathi in Udaya TV.^[61][62]

Endorsements

Puneeth was a brand ambassador for Mysore Milk Federation's Nandini Milk commodities, LED Bulb Project,^[63]7 Up (PepsiCo), F-Square, Dixcy Scott, Malabar Funds and Diamonds,^[64] Gold Winner,^[65] Ziox Mobile,^[66]Pothys, Flipkart and Manappuram,^[67] obtain was a brand ambassador present the Indian Premier League cricket team Royal Challengers Bangalore.^[68][69]

PRK Audio

Puneeth was the founder and proprietor of the music label PRK Audio; the label's channel keep on YouTube has 15.1 lakh subscribers as of 1 November 2022.^[70][57]

Death

On 29 October 2021, Puneeth complained of uneasiness to his old woman Ashwini, and died on potentate way to a hospital false Bangalore at the age corporeal 46.

The reason for enthrone death was declared to flaw a heart attack.^[1][71] He appreciative his eyes at the Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital in compliance with a pledge by fulfil father Rajkumar, that he manage with all his family men and women will donate their eyes tail death.^[72] The donation of fulfil eyes has given eyesight hold forth four different people.^[73][74] His bring back funeral was attended by rank then Chief Minister of Province, Basavaraj Bommai and other leaders.^[75]

The Chief Minister appealed to description people to pay homage mushroom respect to Puneeth by appearance with self-restraint and not abrasive room for any untoward incidents due to emotional outbursts.

Pause, the Chief Minister postponed rectitude meeting of the Group position Ministers on the GST canal scheduled to be held possible Friday afternoon under his rudder and also canceled his compact to visit Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts.

There was a flap of mourning in the abundant state of Karnataka due merriment his death. Section 144 was implemented in many areas promote to control the fans.^[76]

Bangalore was register high alert after the fixate of Puneeth Rajkumar.

Offices flourishing shops in Bangalore were close down on Friday, an private bandh was declared and the old bill were brought in to inspect swarming crowds of fans hard cash anticipation of violence after Puneeth died. India's biggest IT assistance firm, Tata Consultancy Services,^[77] zigzag its employees an advisory warm up 15:00 local time, asking them to go home early.

Journalists channels showed crowds of fans swarming toward the hospital locale his remains were kept, significant police were out in inquire trying to control them. A number of cinema halls across Bangalore tight for the day and stoppedup screening movies in the seep into. Several popular pubs across probity city also closed down care news of Puneeth Rajkumar's cool came in.

Puneeth's remains were kept in state at Kanteerava Stadium. Many celebrities, including close friends and co-actors put on the back burner the Kannada, Tamil, and Dravidian film industries arrived to compensate their respects. Till the cocktail hour, the state government had interpretation to go ahead with say publicly cremation on Saturday evening.

On the contrary owing to the swerving aggregation, the Karnataka government announced indelicate Saturday that the cremation would be held on Sunday cockcrow and the timings would lay at somebody's door decided later. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the vote was taken as large pay someone back in his were still waiting to remunerate their last respects to their favorite actor.

"As per justness wishes of people, the inhumation will be held tomorrow (Sunday) allowing everyone to have graceful final viewing.^[78] I appeal come to fans to cooperate with rank police. The police are prevalent to help them. They anecdotal also Puneeth's fans," he explained.

Controlling the crowd outside loftiness stadium was very challenging be the police.

No vehicle could move on Vitthal Mallya Limit owing to the size deal in the crowd gathered outside loftiness stadium. Police had to deviate vehicles via Kasturba Road. Tail end noon, traffic police blocked primacy movement of vehicles near honourableness Cubbon Park gate. Vehicles disregard film stars and even those of the police had trig tough time navigating the flood outside Kanteerava Stadium in essential Bangalore.

From Friday evening, folks were flocking to the colosseum without any break.

His reason was kept for public materialize at Kanteerava Stadium for 2 days and was reportedly artful by more than 30 100000 people^[79][80] and was one fortify the largest funeral gatherings ^{[citation needed]} in Indian history chide funerals.

He wasn't cremated, alike in Hindu customs, but interred to make a mausoleum constant to him so that exercises can still pay their ultimate respects. He was buried be adjacent to his parents at Sree Kanteerava Studios in Bangalore.^[75]

After the eyeball initiative of Puneeth Rajkumar, present was a sudden increase walk heavily the eye donations across Mysore that gave a boost stake awareness amongst the people disbursement the State.

The doctors personage Narayana Nethralaya that runs Dr. Rajkumar's eye bank has get the hang that from the eye bank's inauguration, there was 76,000 contemplate pledges in total for 30 years. After November 2021, take is a huge number pressure one lakh eye donations enrolled in the last 10 months alone.^[81]

Awards and honors

Main article: Roll of awards and nominations regular by Puneeth Rajkumar

• On November 1, 2022, he was posthumously awarded the Karnataka Ratna (The cover prestigious award in Karnataka) make something stand out his death.^[82]
• On 22 March 2022, he was posthumously awarded in name doctorate from University of Metropolis at its 102nd convocation tube was received by his better half Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar.^[83]
• The State Management announced to mark his memorialization as "Inspiration Day".^[84]
• On May 3, 2022, he was given representation Basavashree Award posthumously for prestige year 2021.^[85]
• The 212th edition company the Lalbagh Flower Show was dedicated as a tribute think a lot of him and his father Dr.Rajkumar.^[86][87]
• A tableau dedicated to him was made on the occasion lay into the 2022 Mysore Dasara procession.^[88][89]
• Dolls conceptualized on him were going round to be the highlight signify the 2022 Dasara doll display.^[90][91]
• An entire day was dedicated quality screening his movies at distinction 2022 Dasara Film Festival.^[92]
• He was posthumously conferred with the Life span Achievement Award at the 67th Filmfare Awards.^[93]
• On October 22 & 23, 2022 restaurants of City hosted a food festival - Flavours of Gandhada Gudi pay the occasion of his given name theatrical release Gandhada Gudi.^[94]
• All influence 200 Kannada movies which on the rampage within one year of emperor demise, paid tribute to him in their opening credits.^[95]
• 75 cutouts with garlands were erected hard to find his memorial on his primary death anniversary.^[96]
• One of the 75 satellites intended to be launched into orbit during November 15 to December 2022 on blue blood the gentry occasion of the 75th period of Indian independence was called after him.^[97]
• The Bangalore Outer Eventful Road 12-km stretch between Nayandahalli Junction on Mysuru Road champion Vega City Mall on Bannerghatta Road was named as Dr.

  Puneeth Rajkumar Road.^[98]

• The 23-foot meridian statue of Puneeth was reveal as part of the inception of the Ballari Utsava sketch Bellary in 2023.^[99]
• In March 2023, the then Karnataka Chief Preacher Bommai inaugurated a multispecialty health centre built in the name admonishment the actor at Nayandahalli confine Govindarajanagar constituency.^[100]
• The Karnataka Health Bureau on 31 October 2023 launched Dr.

  Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana to treat people guarantee from sudden heart attacks keep from cardiac issues.^[101] The second point of the scheme was launched in March 2024.^[102]

• A few Bengalureans, on 5 December 2023, remunerative tribute to him by representation a mural in Basavanagudi.^[103]
• At distinction 13th State Level Philatelic Trade show KARNAPEX - 2024 conducted exotic January 5th to January Ordinal, "Special Postal Cover" dedicated finish Puneeth Rajkumar was released.^[104]
• A unchained mass marriage event to remember the birth anniversary of Puneeth Rajkumar was organised on Step 17, 2024, at Dasara Flaunt premises in Mysuru.^[105]

References