Puneeth Rajkumar
Biography
Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – October 29, 2021), 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.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Puneeth Rajkumar.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- James (2022) as James
- Gandhada Gudi (2022) as Himself
- Lucky Man (2022) as God
- Yuvarathnaa (2021) as Yuvaraj (Yuva) / Arjun
- Yuvarathnaa (2021) Playback Singer
- Mayabazar 2016 (2020) as Special Appearance in Dance Number
- Natasaarvabhowma (2019) as Gagan Dixit
- Padde Huli (2019) as Self
- Amoli (2018) as Narrator (Kannada)
- Rajaratha (2018) as Rajaratha (Voice)
- Anjaniputra (2017) as Viraj
- Raajakumara (2017) as Siddharth
- Doddmane Hudga (2016) as Doddmane Surya
- Chakravyuha (2016) as Lohith
- Rana Vikrama (2015) as Vikram / Vikrama
- Uppi 2 (2015) as Playback Singer in End (Opening) Credits
- Uppi 2 (2015) Playback Singer
- Mythri (2015) as Himself
- Weekend With Ramesh (2014) as Himself
- Power (2014) as Bharat Kumar
- Ninnindale (2014) as Vicky Venkatesh
- Yaare Koogadali (2012) as Kumara
- Kannadada Kotyadhipati (2012) as Host
- Anna Bond (2012) as Bond Ravi/Anna Bond
- Paramathma (2011) as Paramathma aka Karadi
- Hudugaru (2011) as Prabhu
- Jackie (2010) as Janakirama aka Jackie
- Prithvi (2010) as Prithvi Kumar
- Raaj (2009) as Raaj/ Muthuraja
- Raaj the Showman (2009)
- Raam (2009) as Raam
- Bindaas (2008) as Shivu
- Vamshi (2008) as Vamshi
- Arasu (2007) as Shivaraj Aras
- Milana (2007) as Akash
- Ajay (2006) as Ajay
- Aakash (2005) as Aakash
- Namma Basava (2005) as Basava
- Veera Kannadiga (2004) as Munna and Shankar
- Maurya (2004) as Manu
- Abhi (2003) as Abhi
- Appu (2002) as Appu
- Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi (1999) Production Controller
- Swasthik (1998) Production Controller
- Geluvina Saradara (1996) Production Controller
- Sutradhara (1996) Producer
- Akasmika (1993) Costume Designer
- Navibbaru Namagibbaru (1993) Producer
- Parashuram (1989) as Appu
- Shiva Mecchida Kannappa (1988) as Younger version of Dinna
- Bettada Hoovu (1985) as Ramu
- Yaarivanu (1984) as Shyam
- Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983) as Double Role
- Bhakta Prahlada (1983) as Prahlada
- Bhakta Prahlada (1983) Playback Singer
- Hosa Belaku (1982) as Puttu
- Chalisuva Modagalu (1982) as Ramu
- Bhagyavantha (1981) as Krishna
- Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha (1981)
- Vasantha Geetha (1980) as Shyam
- Thaayige Thakka Maga (1978) as Young Kumar
- Sanaadi Appanna (1977) as Young Hanumanthu
- Premada Kanike (1976) as Baby Shobha