Puneeth Rajkumar, affectionately known as Appu, was an 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.
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, alongside Avinash Yelandur, Srinivasa Murthy and Sumithra. The music was composed by Gurukiran, while cinematography and editing were composed by K. Datthu and S. Manohar.
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. The movie is a 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, alongside Ramya, Ashish Vidyarthi, Kishore and Avinash. The music was composed by R. P. Patnaik, while cinematography and ediring were handled by Prasad Babu and S. Manohar.
Ajay is a 2006 Indian Kannada-language action film directed by Meher Ramesh and starring Puneeth Rajkumar, Anuradha Mehta and Prakash Raj. It was Anuradha's debut Kannada film. The film is a remake of the Telugu film Okkadu (2003). The film was a success. Prakash Raj reprised his role as the main antagonist from Okkadu as well as it's Tamil remake Ghilli (2004).
Veera Kannadiga is a 2004 Indian Kannada-language masala film directed by debutant Meher Ramesh from a story written by Puri Jagannadh who simultaneously shot the film in Telugu as Andhrawala starring Jr. NTR. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar and Anita Hassanandani in the lead roles.
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.
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.
Bahaddur is a 2014 Indian Kannada-language masala film directed by Chethan Kumar and produced by R. Srinivas under R. S. Productions. The film stars Dhruva Sarja and Radhika Pandit, alongside P. Ravi Shankar, Achyuth Kumar, Jai Jagadish and Srinivasa Murthy. The music was composed by V. Harikrishna, while cinematography and editing were handled by Shreesha Kuduvalli and Deepu. S. Kumar.
Rowdy Aliya is a 2004 Indian Kannada comedy - action film directed and written by Om Sai Prakash and produced by Neha. The film features Shiva Rajkumar and Priyanka Trivedi in the lead roles along with Jaimala and Chaya Singh in other pivotal roles.
Doddmane Hudga is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language action drama film co-written and directed by Duniya Soori, featuring Puneeth Rajkumar and Radhika Pandit. The film also features an ensemble cast of Ambareesh, Sumalatha, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Krishna, Srinivasa Murthy, and P. Ravi Shankar, with Shiva Rajkumar providing a voice-over. This film marks the 25th film with Puneeth Rajkumar in a lead role.
Vajrakaya is a 2015 Indian Kannada-language action film directed by A. Harsha. It stars Shiva Rajkumar, Nabha Natesh and Karunya Ram in the lead roles, with Avinash, Ravi Kale and Suman as supporting cast. With Dileep, Ravi Teja, Sivakarthikeyan and others in cameo appearance
Santheyalli Nintha Kabira is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language epic biopic-drama film adapted from Bhisham Sahni's Hindi play Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein. The film is directed Indra Babu of Kabbadi fame. Original story by Bhisham Sahni was adapted and the screenplay is written in Kannada by Indra Babu and Gopal Wajpeyi. Starring Shiva Rajkumar as the protagonist Kabir, the film is about the life of the mystic 15th-century poet. It also stars Sanusha and Sarath Kumar in other pivotal roles. The film was launched on the Ugadi festival day of 2015 and is slated to release on 29 July 2016.
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.
Melkote Manja is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language comedy drama film written, enacted and directed by Jaggesh. This is the third film featuring Jaggesh as Manja after Eddelu Manjunatha (2009) and Manjunatha BA LLB (2012). The film also stars Aindrita Ray and Rangayana Raghu in the lead roles. It is a remake of the 2010 Telugu film Kalavar King.
Natasaarvabhowma is a 2019 Indian Kannada-language horror action film directed by Pavan Wadeyar and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar, Anupama Parameswaran and Rachita Ram, alongside P. Ravi Shankar, Prabhakar, Prakash Belawadi, Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, Achyuth Kumar and Avinash, with B. Saroja Devi in a guest appearance. The music was composed by D. Imman, while cinematography and editing were handled by Vaidy S and Mahesh S. Reddy.
Chambal is a 2019 Indian Kannada thriller film written and directed by Jacob Verghese and produced by N. Dinesh Rajkumar and Mathew Verghese jointly under the banners Jacob Films and Jadyan Motion Pictures. It features Satish Ninasam and Sonu Gowda along with Roger Narayan. The supporting cast includes Pawan Kumar, Achyuth Kumar, Kishore Kumar and Elvis Joseph. The score and soundtrack for the film is by Poornachandra Tejaswi and Judah Sandhy and the cinematography is by D. Sasi Kumar and editing is done by Bavan Sreekumar
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 thriller film directed by Chethan Kumar and produced by Kishore Pathikonda under Kishore Productions. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar in his posthumous film, alongside an ensemble cast of R. Sarathkumar, Srikanth, Priya Anand, Anu Prabhakar, Madhusudhan Rao, Mukesh Rishi, Adithya Menon, Avinash, Sadhu Kokila, Chikkanna and John Kokken. The film also marks the second collaboration between Puneeth Rajkumar, Priya Anand and Sarathkumar after Raajakumara. 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.
