Puneeth Rajkumar, affectionately known as Appu, was an former Indian actor, playback singer, film producer, television presenter and philanthropist who worked in Kannada cinema. He was the youngest son of legendary 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.
Petla "Puri" Jagannadh is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, who works primarily in the Telugu film Industry. He made his directorial debut with the Telugu film Badri starring Pawan Kalyan, Renu Desai and Ameesha Patel. In 2006, he directed the Telugu film Pokiri, premiered at the 7th IIFA Film Festival held in Dubai. The film was later re-made into several Indian languages, and brought Puri widespread Indian recognition. He made his Hindi film debut in 2004, with the film Shart: The Challenge. In 2011, he directed the Hindi film Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap starring Amitabh Bachchan, which was archived in the Oscar library.
Andhrawala is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language action film written and directed by Puri Jagannadh and starring N. T. Rama Rao Jr. playing a dual role, while Rakshitha, Sayaji Shinde, and Rahul Dev play important roles. Music was composed by Chakri while cinematography was handled by Shyam K. Naidu. This film was simultaneously made in Kannada as Veera Kannadiga with Puneeth Rajkumar, directed by Meher Ramesh.
Idiot: O Chanti Gaadi Prema Katha is a 2002 Indian Telugu-language action romantic comedy film which released on 22 August 2002 and was directed by Puri Jagannadh. It was the second collaboration between Ravi Teja and Puri Jagannadh after the successful film Itlu Sravani Subramanyam. The dialogue was written by Puri Jagannadh with soundtrack by Chakri. This film stars Ravi Teja and Rakshita It turned out to be a Blockbuster. The film ran for 100 days in 36 centres. The film was a remake of director's own 2002 Kannada movie Appu.
Shweta, known by her stage name Rakshita, is an Indian television personality, film producer and former actress known for her work in Kannada films, addition to a few Telugu and Tamil films.
Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Through his over five-decade long career of over 200 films, he was regarded one of the most pivotal and influential figures of the Kannada film industry. His films were praised for acting as a bridge between the popular and art films because of the theme of the story and their treatment. He debuted as a child actor in the 1942 Kannada film Bhakta Prahlada. His first role as an adult came in Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1952) and as a lead, two years later, in Bedara Kannappa, which gave him stardom. He debuted as a singer with the track Om Namaha Shivaya from the 1956 film Ohileshwara. In 1960, he made his debut as a producer by producing Ranadheera Kanteerava. According to Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen in the book Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, Ranadheera Kanteerava was the first "big hit" in Kannada cinema. In a film career spanning fifty years, Rajkumar received eleven Karnataka State Film Awards, including nine Best Actor and two Best Singer awards, eight Filmfare Awards South, and one National Film Award. Along with Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh, he is counted in Kannada cinema's "triumvirate" as its most celebrated actor.
Auto Shankar is a 2005 Indian Kannada-language action comedy film starring Upendra, Shilpa Shetty, and Radhika. The film was directed by D. Rajendra Babu and produced by Ramu, of Ramu Enterprises. The films tells about Shankar an autorickshaw driver belonging to a middle-class family who gets into a conflict with Maya, a money-lender. However, tables turn when she loses her property and they fall in love.
Milana (transl. Rendezvous) is a 2007 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy drama film co-written and directed by Prakash, starring Puneeth Rajkumar and Parvathy 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.
Bindaas (transl. Independent) is a Kannada-language action comedy film directed by D. Rajendra Babu and produced by M. Chandrashekar under Udayachandra Productions. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar, alongside Hansika Motwani, Nassar, Suman and Rahul Dev. The soundtrack and score was composed by Gurukiran, while the cinematography and editing were handled by H. C. Venu and T. Shashikumar respectively.
Dum is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language romantic action comedy film directed by A. Venkatesh. It is a remake of the 2002 Kannada film Appu. The film stars Silambarasan and Rakshita while Ashish Vidyarthi and S. S. Rajendran play pivotal roles.
Janumada Jodi is a 1996 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by T. S. Nagabharana and written by Baraguru Ramachandrappa, based on Pannalal Patel's 1941 Gujarati novel Malela Jeev. The film was scripted by T. S. Nagabharana. The film stars Shiva Rajkumar and Shilpa in lead roles, while Pavithra Lokesh, Mukhyamantri Chandru and Honnavalli Krishna plays supporting roles. The film's plot follows Krishna and Kanaka (Shilpa), who fall in love despite belonging to different castes. The film follows the troubles they face in their love story.
Abhi is a 2003 Indian Kannada-language romantic action comedy film written & directed by Dinesh Babu and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar under Poornima Enterprises. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar in the titular role, with Ramya, making her debut in Kannada cinema. Dr. Rajkumar sang a song for the film composed by Gurukiran. The film was remade in Telugu as Abhimanyu, with Nandamuri Kalyan Ram reprising Puneeth Rajkumar's role and Ramya reprising her role in the Telugu version.
Namma Basava is a 2005 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Veera Shankar Bairisetty. It stars Puneeth Rajkumar and Gowri Munjal in the lead roles. Avinash, Sudha Rani, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Riyaz Khan and M. N. Lakshmi Devi feature in supporting roles. Gurukiran scored music for the film's background and soundtrack.
Parvathamma Rajkumar was an Indian film producer and distributor. She was the wife and cousin of veteran Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar. She produced successful films featuring him and their sons Shiva Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar under the production house named "Poornima Enterprises". Actresses who found fame in her productions include Malashri, Prema, Rakshita, Sudha Rani and Ramya. She was awarded a doctorate by Bangalore University.
Anuraga Aralithu is a 1986 Indian Kannada-language film directed by M. S. Rajashekar. It is based on the Kannada novel Anuragada Anthahpura written by H. G. Radhadevi. The film was produced by M. S. Puttaswamy. The film stars Rajkumar, Madhavi and Geetha. The film's score and soundtrack was composed by Upendra Kumar to the lyrics of Chi. Udayashankar who also wrote the screenplay.
Shankar Guru is a 1978 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film directed by V. Somashekhar and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar under Dakshayini Combines. It stars Dr. Rajkumar in triple role, alongside Jayamala, Padmapriya, Kanchana, Balakrishna, Vajramuni, Thoogudeepa Srinivas and Uma Shivakumar. The music was composed by Upendra Kumar, while the cinematography and editing were handled by R. Madhusudan and P. Bhaktavatsalam.
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.
Raajakumara is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Santhosh Ananddram and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films. It stars Puneeth Rajkumar, alongside Priya Anand. R. Sarathkumar, Ananth Nag, Prakash Raj, Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, Achyuth Kumar and Avinash. The music was composed by V. Harikrishna, while cinematography and editing were handled by A. Venkatesh and K. M. Prakash.
Rogue is a 2017 Indian action thriller film directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced by C. R. Manohar and C. R. Gopi under Tanvi Films. The film was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Kannada languages and stars Ishan, Mannara Chopra, Angela Krislinzki and Thakur Anoop Singh.
Honnavalli Krishna is an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry. His films include Ratha Sapthami (1986), Aasegobba Meesegobba (1990), Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974), Janumada Jodi (1996).
