Kamal Ghorui
Puneeth Rajkumar fans across the country and especially in Karnataka often call him Appu or the Power Star. He was not just a superstar, but a cultural icon. Though he left us far too soon on October 29, 2021, he left an enduring legacy in Kannada cinema.
Puneeth Rajkumar’s career as child artist
Puneeth Rajkumar, who would have turned 51 today, was born into the family as the youngest son of matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar. He carried the cinematic legacy and made it his own. Looking at his career, he began working as a child artist and gained widespread acclaim, making the audience notice him from the age of six months. He appeared in films including ‘Vasantha Geetha’, ‘Bhagyavantha’, ‘Chalisuva Modagalu’, and ‘Eradu Nakshatragalu’. Interestingly, he won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his work in ‘Bettada Hoovu’ released in 1985.
Puneeth Rajkumar as the leading star
Later in his career, he took on a powerful role with ‘Appu’ which was released in 2002. He then became one of the most bankable and highest-paid stars in Kannada cinema. In his career spanning over three decades, he has been a part of 32 films. In his filmography, he delivered huge hits, mostly family dramas and action entertainers.His blockbusters include films like ‘Abhi’, ‘Milana’, ‘Arasu’, ‘Jackie’, ‘Hudugaru’, ‘Power’, ‘Raajakumara’, ‘Natasaarvabhowma’, ‘Yuvarathnaa’, and the posthumous ‘James’, which made him a crowd-puller. To give an idea of how much he was loved, many of his films ran for over 100 days. His re-released movies also achieve good occupancy rates. Puneeth not only had a strong presence on the big screens but was also an accomplished playback singer and television presenter, winning fans with his warmth. He also backed films under his banner PRK Productions. His career also focused on comedy-dramas, which included family themes and social messages.
A legacy of kindness and giving
The late actor is truly remembered by his fans not just for his film career but for his humility, grounded nature, and quiet generosity. He supported education for underprivileged children, orphanages, old-age homes, and various social causes through discreet contributions. His final act of donating his eyes touched countless lives. For many, he was not just a star but a role model.
