Puneeth Rajkumar, affectionately known as Appu by his fans, after his first lead role in the movie Appu, was an Indian actor, philanthropist, 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 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. 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. 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.
Ghilli (transl. Gutsy) is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language sports action film directed by Dharani and produced by Sri Suriya Movies. The film stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Trisha, Prakash Raj, Ashish Vidyarthi, Dhamu, Mayilsamy, Janaki Sabesh, Nancy Jennifer, Nagendra Prasad, Ponnambalam, and Pandu. It is a remake of the Telugu-language 2003 film Okkadu. The film follows a Kabaddi player who goes to Madurai to participate in a match, but instead rescues a woman from a gang leader who is obsessed with her.
Okkadu is a 2003 Indian Telugu-language romantic sports action film directed by Gunasekhar and produced by M. S. Raju. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Bhumika Chawla and Prakash Raj. The music was composed by Mani Sharma, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Sekhar V. Joseph and A. Sreekar Prasad.
Milana (transl. Rendezvous) is a 2007 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy drama film co-written and directed by Prakash, starring Puneeth Rajkumar, and Parvathy Thiruvothu in lead roles. The film was Parvathy's debut in Kannada cinema. The movie also features Pooja Gandhi, Dileep Raj, Sumithra and Mukhyamantri Chandru in prominent roles. Music for the film was composed by Mano Murthy.
Anuradha Mehta is an Indian former actress and former model who appeared in Telugu, Odia and Kannada films.
Vamshi is an Indian Kannada-language action drama film starring Puneeth Rajkumar and Nikita Thukral. It is directed by Prakash and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar. The film was released on 2 October 2008.
Raam is a 2009 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy movie released in 2009 directed by K. Madesh starring Puneeth Rajkumar and Priyamani, who making debut in Kannada cinema. Harikrishna is the music director for the movie. It is the remake of 2008 Telugu film Ready.
Aakash is a 2005 Indian Kannada language romantic drama film directed by Mahesh Babu, written by Janardhana Maharshi and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar and Ramya in the lead roles, while Ashish Vidyarthi and Avinash play pivotal roles.
Abhi is a 2003 Indian Kannada language romantic action comedy film directed by Dinesh Babu. It stars Puneeth Rajkumar and Ramya, making her debut. Veteran Kannada actor Rajkumar sang a soundtrack for the film composed by Gurukiran. The film was remade in Telugu as Abhimanyu starring Kalyan Ram with Ramya reprising her role.
Maurya is a 2004 Kannada language sports drama film directed by S. Narayan. The film starred Puneeth Rajkumar, Roja Selvamani and Meera Jasmine in lead roles. This film is produced by Rockline Venkatesh. It is the remake of 2003 Telugu movie, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi.
Ambara (transl. Sky) is a 2013 Indian Kannada-language romance film written and directed by Sen Prakash. The film stars Yogesh and Bhama in the lead roles.
Hubballi is a 2006 Kannada-language action thriller film directed by Om Prakash Rao starring Sudeep and Rakshita. Released on 10 November 2006, it features a background score and soundtrack composed by A. R. Hemanth and lyrics by Da Ra Bendre, K. Kalyan and Padma Hemanth. Sai Entertainment dubbed the film into Hindi as Vardee Tujhe Salaam in 2008. The film was a box office success.
Bhagyada Balegara is a 2009 Kannada drama film directed by Om Sai Prakash and written by Ajay Kumar. The film features Shiva Rajkumar and Navya Nair whilst Adi Lokesh, Anu Prabhakar and Sudharani play the supporting roles.
Chandra Chakori is a 2003 Indian Kannada-language romance drama film directed by S. Narayan and produced by H. D. Kumaraswamy and Anitha Kumaraswamy under Chennambika Films. The film stars debutants Sriimurali, Priya, Naaz Srinagara Kitty in the lead roles, while Sundar Raj, Doddanna and Ashok appear in supporting roles.
Thavarige Baa Thangi is a 2002 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Om Sai Prakash and written by Ajay Kumar. The film cast includes Shiva Rajkumar, Anu Prabhakar, Radhika, Adarsh, Hema Choudhary and Komal Kumar among others. The film was produced by R. S. Gowda while the original score and soundtrack were composed by Hamsalekha.
Shiva Mecchida Kannappa is a 1988 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Vijay. The film is a rehashed version of the 1954 film Bedara Kannappa, the debut film of actor Rajkumar. Produced by Raghavendra Rajkumar, the film is about the life of Kannappa, a hunter who becomes a Lord Shiva devotee; Kanappa is played by Puneeth Rajkumar in younger days and Shivarajkumar in adult life. The rest of the cast includes Geetha, Sarala Devi, C. R. Simha and Rajkumar himself playing a brief cameo role in the role of Shiva. The film has musical score by T. G. Lingappa and the dialogues and lyrics written by Chi. Udaya Shankar.
Power is a 2014 Indian Kannada-language action comedy film directed by K. Madesh and features Puneeth Rajkumar and Trisha in lead roles, alongside Prabhu, Kelly Dorjee, Rangayana Raghu and Sadhu Kokila in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 2011 Telugu film Dookudu which itself was inspired by the 2003 German tragicomedy film Good Bye, Lenin!. It marked music director, S. Thaman's official musical entry to the Sandalwood Industry and Trisha's debut in Kannada cinema.
Bandhu Balaga is a 2008 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Naganna and written by Janardhan Maharshi. The film stars Shiva Rajkumar and Poonam Kaur, Hema Chaudhary along with Tejaswini Prakash, Shashi Kumar and Harish Raj in other pivotal roles. Parul Yadav, who played the role of sister in law of the hero, made her Kannada debut through this movie.
Puneeth Rajkumar was an Indian actor known for his work in Kannada films. As a six-month-old infant, he made a cameo appearance in V. Somashekar's Premada Kanike (1976) and followed it with Sanaadi Appanna (1977) when he was a year old. Most of his earlier films had his father Rajkumar playing his reel father as well. Films like Thayige Thakka Maga, Vasantha Geetha and Bhagyavantha followed up which also showcased his singing skills. For the N. Lakshminarayan film Bettada Hoovu he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. He ended his childhood appearances with the action film Parashuram.
Amrutha Vaani is a 2007 Indian Kannada-language romance film written, directed and co-produced by B. R. Rajashekar. It stars Ajay Rao and Radhika Kumaraswamy along with Naveen Krishna. The supporting cast includes Doddanna, Sadhu Kokila, Bullet Prakash, Girish and Girija Lokesh. The score and soundtrack for the film are by M. P. Naidu.
