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 .
Puneeth's first leading role came opposite Rakshita in Appu (2002), a highly successful romantic drama directed by Puri Jagannadh. This was followed by Abhi opposite Ramya in 2003, and Veera Kannadiga and Maurya in 2004. All these films were commercially successful and established him as one of the leading actors in Kannada cinema. He was known for his versatile stunts, especially his backflips. His superhuman flexibility was attributed by some to his Idiga background, who were agile toddy tappers.
Puneeth's first award-winning performance came through the film Arasu for which he won the Filmfare award and his next release Milana got him the Karnataka State Film Award. His other major successes include Jackie , Hudugaru , Rana Vikrama , Raajakumara and Natasaarvabhowma, Yuvarathnaa.
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | Premada Kanike | An infant | Credited as Master Rajkumar | [1] |
1977 | Sanaadi Appanna | Young Ashok | Credited as Master Lohith | [2] |
1978 | Thayige Thakka Maga | Young Kumar | Credited as Master Lohith | [3] |
1980 | Vasantha Geetha | Shyaam | Credited as Master Lohith | [4] |
1981 | Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha | Krishna | Credited as Master Lohith | [5] |
Bhagyavantha | Krishna | Credited as Master Lohith | [6] | |
1982 | Hosa Belaku | Puttu | Credited as Master Lohith | [7] |
Chalisuva Modagalu | Ramu | Credited as Master Lohith | [8] | |
1983 | Bhakta Prahlada | Prahlada | Credited as Master Lohith | [9] |
Eradu Nakshatragalu | Raja | Credited as Master Lohith | [10] | |
1984 | Yarivanu | Shyam | Credited as Master Lohith | [11] |
1985 | Bettada Hoovu | Ramu | Credited as Master Puneeth | [12] |
1988 | Shiva Mecchida Kannappa | Young Dinna | Credited as Master Puneeth Rajkumar | [13] |
1989 | Parashuram | Appu | Child Actor | [14] |
2002 | Appu | Appu | Debut in Lead Role | [15] |
2003 | Abhi | Abhishek "Abhi" | [16] | |
2004 | Veera Kannadiga | Munna/Shankar | Dual role | [17] |
Maurya | Manu | [18] | ||
2005 | Aakash | Aakash | [19] | |
Namma Basava | Basava | [20] | ||
2006 | Ajay | Ajay | [21] | |
2007 | Arasu | Shivaraj Arasu | [22] | |
Milana | Aakash | [23] | ||
2008 | Bindaas | Shivu | [24] | |
Vamshi | Vamshi | [25] | ||
2009 | Raaj – The Showman | Muthuraj | [26] | |
Raam | Raam | [27] | ||
2010 | Prithvi | Prithvi Kumar | [28] | |
Jackie | Janakirama "Jackie" | Udaya Film Award for Best Actor Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada | [29] | |
2011 | Hudugaru | Prabhu | [30] | |
Paramathma | Param | [31] | ||
2012 | Anna Bond | Bond Ravi | [32] | |
Yaare Koogadali | Kumara | [33] | ||
2014 | Ninnindale | Vicky Venkatesh | [34] | |
Power*** | Bharath Kumar IPS | [35] | ||
2015 | Mythri | Himself | [36] | |
Rana Vikrama | ACP Vikram Kumar / Rana Vikrama | Dual role | [37] | |
2016 | Chakravyuha | Lohith | [38] | |
Doddmane Hudga | Surya | [39] | ||
2017 | Raajakumara | Siddharth | Love Lavike Readers Choice Award for Best Actor – Male Zee Kannada Hemmeya Kannadiga Award for Best Actor – Male Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada Nominated—TSR National Film Award for Best Actor | [40] |
Anjani Putra | Viraj | [41] | ||
2018 | Humble Politician Nograj | Himself | Cameo appearance | [42] |
2019 | Natasaarvabhowma | Gagan Dixit | [43] | |
Padde Huli | Himself | Cameo appearance | [44] | |
2020 | Mayabazar 2016 | Himself | Cameo appearance in the song "Loka Maya Bazaru" | [45] |
2021 | Yuvarathnaa | Yuvaraj | Last film | [46] |
2022 | James | Santosh Kumar "James" | Posthumous film | [47] |
Lucky Man | God | Posthumous release; Extended cameo appearance | [48] | |
Gandhada Gudi | Himself | Posthumous film | [49] |
Year | Title | Character | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Bahaddur | Narrator | [50] | |
2018 | Amoli | Narrator | Documentary; Kannada version | [51] |
Rajaratha | Rajaratha (voice) | Narrator | [52] | |
2019 | India vs England | Narrator | [53] |
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | Navibbaru Namagibbaru | [54] | |
2019 | Kavaludaari | [55] | |
2020 | Mayabazar 2016 | [56] | |
Law | Amazon Prime film | [57] [58] | |
French Biriyani | Amazon Prime film | [59] | |
2022 | One Cut Two Cut | Amazon Prime film; Posthumous release | [60] |
Family Pack | Amazon Prime film, Posthumous release | [61] [62] | |
Man of the Match | Amazon Prime film, Posthumous release | [63] | |
Gandhada Gudi | Posthumous release | [64] | |
2023 | Aachar & Co | Posthumous release | [65] |
Year | Title | Role | TV channel | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Kannadada Kotyadhipati | Host | Asianet Suvarna | Season 1 | [66] |
2013 | Kannadada Kotyadhipati | Season 2 | [66] | ||
2014 | UPstarters | Judge | Udaya TV | [67] | |
2014 | Weekend with Ramesh | Guest | Zee Kannada | Season 1 | [68] |
2016-2018 | Manedevru | Producer | Colors Kannada | [69] | |
2017 | Majaa Talkies | Guest | Colors Kannada | Season 1 | [70] |
Dance Dance Juniors | Guest | Star Suvarna | [71] | ||
2017–2018 | Family Power | Host | Colors Kannada | [72] | |
2019 | Kannadada Kotyadhipati | Season 4 | [73] | ||
2020 | Majaa Talkies | Guest | Season 2 | [74] | |
2021 | Netravathi | Producer | Udaya TV | [75] | |
2021 | Dance Karnataka Dance | Guest | Zee Kannada | [76] | |
Dance Dance | Guest | Star Suvarna | [77] |
Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest and versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema, he is considered a cultural icon and holds a matinée idol status in the Kannada diaspora, among whom he is popularly called as Nata Saarvabhouma, Bangarada Manushya, Vara Nata, Gaana Gandharva, Rasikara Raja, Kannada Kanteerava and Rajanna/Annavru. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1983 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. He is the only lead actor to win National Award for Playback singing. His 39 movies have been remade 63 times in 9 languages by 34 actors making him the first actor whose movies were remade more than fifty times and the first actor whose movies were remade in nine languages. He was the first actor in India to enact a role which was based on James Bond in a full-fledged manner. The success of his movie Jedara Bale is credited to have widely inspired a Desi bond genre in other Indian film industries. On the occasion of the "Centenary of Indian Cinema" in April 2013, Forbes included his performance in Bangaarada Manushya on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Upon his death, The New York Times had described him as one of India's most popular movie stars.
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.
Shiva Rajkumar is an Indian actor, film producer and television presenter, who predominantly works in Kannada cinema. In a career spanning over three decades, he has worked in over 125 films in Kannada and has received several awards, including four Karnataka State Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards South and six South Indian International Movie Awards.
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.
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.
Radhika Pandit is an Indian actress who is primarily known for her work in Kannada films. Pandit is recipient of three Filmfare Awards South, one Karnataka State Film Award and one South Indian International Movie Award.
Appu is a 2002 Indian Kannada-language romantic action film directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar under Poornima Enterprises. The film stars debutants Puneeth Rajkumar and Rakshita in the lead roles, while Avinash Yelandur, Srinivasa Murthy and Sumithra in supporting roles.
Mylari is a 2010 Kannada film that has Shiva Rajkumar and Sadha in the lead and is directed by R. Chandru of Taj Mahal (movie) fame.
Paramathma is a 2011 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy film written, directed and co-produced by Yogaraj Bhat. It stars Puneeth Rajkumar and Deepa Sannidhi in the lead roles and was released on 6 October 2011, on the eve of Vijayadashami. Halfway through its production, the film's TV rights was procured for a record ₹3.5 crore. Even before the release, the film grossed a record amount of over ₹25 Cr included broadcasting and distribution rights. Since release, the movie has garnered a cult status for its metaphorical narration and out-of-the box storytelling.
Hudugaru is a 2011 Kannada-language drama film directed by K. Madesh, starring Puneeth Rajkumar, Srinagar Kitty, Yogesh and Radhika Pandit in the lead roles. The film, which is a remake of the successful 2010 Tamil film Naadodigal, was produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar, with V. Harikrishna having composed the soundtrack and Satya Hegde was the cinematographer. The film released on 5 May 2011 and performed well at the box office similar to Puneeth's previous film Jackie.
A. Harsha is an Indian film director and choreographer who works in Kannada cinema. Harsha has choreographed many popular songs.
Rachita Ram is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. After appearing in various television shows, Rachita made her film debut with the 2013 film, Bulbul, for which she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada nomination. Rachita has won various awards including one Filmfare Award South and three SIIMA Awards.
Nagappa Sunil Kumar, known professionally as Darling Krishna, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Kannada films. He is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Awards South and a South Indian International Movie Award.
Kalenahalli Adaviswamy Dhananjaya, also known as Daali, is an Indian actor, lyricist and film producer known for his work in Kannada cinema. He has won three Filmfare Awards and four SIIMA Awards for his performances in various films.
Raajakumara is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language action drama film written and directed by Santhosh Ananddram and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films. It stars Puneeth Rajkumar and Priya Anand. R. Sarathkumar, Ananth Nag, Prakash Raj, Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, Achyuth Kumar and Avinash play supporting roles. The film's music album was composed by V. Harikrishna.
Anjani Putra is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language action film directed by A. Harsha and produced by M. N. Kumar. The film features Puneeth Rajkumar and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles while Ramya Krishna, Mukesh Tiwari, P. Ravi Shankar and Chikkanna play supporting roles. Ravi Basrur composed the soundtrack and background score for the film, while cinematography and editing were handled by Swamy J. and Deepu S. Kumar respectively. The film was a remake of director Hari's Tamil film Poojai (2014).
Yuvarathnaa is a 2021 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Santhosh Ananddram and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner of Hombale Films. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar, Sayyeshaa, Dhananjay, Prakash Raj, Diganth and P. Sai Kumar. The music was composed by S. Thaman, while the cinematography and editing was handled by A. Venkatesh and Jnaanesh B. Matad respectively.
James is a 2022 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Chethan Kumar and produced by Kishore Pathikonda under Kishore Productions. It stars Puneeth Rajkumar in the titlular role, along with an ensemble cast of R. Sarathkumar, Srikanth, Priya Anand, Anu Prabhakar, Madhusudhan Rao, Mukesh Rishi, Adithya Menon, Avinash Yelandur, Sadhu Kokila, Chikkanna and John Kokken. The film marks Puneeth Rajkumar's posthumous appearance following his death on 29 October 2021 and also marked the second collaboration between Puneeth Rajkumar, Priya Anand and Sarathkumar after Raajakumara (2017). The score and soundtrack were composed by V. Harikrishna and Charan Raj, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Swamy. J. Gowda and Deepu. S. Kumar.
PRK Productions is an Indian film production company founded by Puneeth Rajkumar and managed by his wife, Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar.
O2 (transl. Oxygen) is an Indian Kannada-language medical thriller film written and directed by the duo of Raghav Nayak & Prashanth Raj, and produced by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar under PRK Productions. The film has music composed by Vivan Radhakrishna and cinematography handled by Naveen Kumar S.