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 For Best Actor and his next release Milana earned him the Karnataka State Film Award. His other major successes include Jackie, Hudugaru, Rana Vikrama, Raajakumara and Natasaarvabhowma, Yuvarathnaa.
Films
As actor +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released All films are in Kannada, unless otherwise noted. Year Title Role Notes 1976 Premada Kanike An infant Credited as Master Rajkumar 1977 Sanaadi Appanna Young Ashok Credited as Master Lohith 1978 Thayige Thakka Maga Young Kumar Credited as Master Lohith 1980 Vasantha Geetha Shyaam Credited as Master Lohith 1981 Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha Krishna Credited as Master Lohith Bhagyavantha Krishna Credited as Master Lohith 1982 Hosa Belaku Puttu Credited as Master Lohith Chalisuva Modagalu Ramu Credited as Master Lohith 1983 Bhakta Prahlada Prahlada Credited as Master Lohith Eradu Nakshatragalu Raja Credited as Master Lohith 1984 Yarivanu Shyam Credited as Master Lohith 1985 Bettada Hoovu Ramu Credited as Master Puneeth 1988 Shiva Mecchida Kannappa Young Dinna Credited as Master Puneeth Rajkumar 1989 Parashuram AppuChild Actor 2002 Appu AppuDebut in Lead Role 2003 Abhi Abhishek "Abhi" 2004 Veera Kannadiga Munna/ShankarDual role Maurya Manu 2005 Aakash Aakash Namma Basava Basava 2006 Ajay Ajay 2007 Arasu Shivaraj Arasu Milana Aakash 2008 Bindaas Shivu Vamshi Vamshi 2009 Raaj – The Showman Muthuraj Raam Raam 2010 Prithvi Prithvi Kumar Jackie Janakirama "Jackie" Udaya Film Award for Best Actor Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada 2011 Hudugaru Prabhu Paramathma Param 2012 Anna Bond Bond Ravi Yaare Koogadali Kumara 2014 Ninnindale Vicky Venkatesh Power*** Bharath Kumar IPS 2015 Mythri HimselfPartially reshot in Malayalam as My Hero Mythri Rana Vikrama ACP Vikram Kumar / Rana Vikrama Dual role 2016 Chakravyuha Lohith Doddmane Hudga Surya 2017 Raajakumara Siddharth Love Lavike Readers Choice Award for Best Actor – MaleZee Kannada Hemmeya Kannadiga Award for Best Actor – MaleFilmfare Award for Best Actor – KannadaNominated—TSR National Film Award for Best Actor Anjani Putra Viraj 2018Humble Politician NograjHimself Cameo appearance 2019NatasaarvabhowmaGagan DixitPadde Huli Himself Cameo appearance 2020Mayabazar 2016 HimselfCameo appearance in the song "Loka Maya Bazaru" 2021YuvarathnaaYuvaraj 2022 James Santosh Kumar "James"Posthumous filmLucky Man GodPosthumous release; Extended cameo appearanceGandhada Gudi HimselfPosthumous documentary film2023Hostel Hudugaru Bekkagiddare HimselfPosthumous release. Special appearance at end credits. 2026Raktha KashmiraHimself Posthumous Final film release; Special appearance in the song "Star Star"
Voice roles Year Title Character Notes 2014Bahaddur Narrator 2018Amoli Narrator Documentary; Kannada versionRajaratha Rajaratha (voice) Narrator 2020India vs England Narrator
As producer
+Key Denotes films that have not yet been released Year Title Notes 2019 Kavaludaari 2020 Mayabazar 2016 LawAmazon Prime filmFrench BiriyaniAmazon Prime film 2022One Cut Two Cut Amazon Prime film; Posthumous releaseFamily Pack Amazon Prime film, Posthumous release Man of the MatchAmazon Prime film, Posthumous release Gandhada GudiPosthumous release 2023Aachar & Co Posthumous release
As costume designer Year Title Notes 1993 Navibbaru Namagibbaru for Raghavendra Rajkumar
Television Year Title Role TV channel Notes 2012 Kannadada Kotyadhipati Host Asianet Suvarna Season 1 2013 Kannadada Kotyadhipati Season 2 2014 UPstarters Judge Udaya TV 2014 Weekend with Ramesh Guest Zee KannadaSeason 1 2016-2018ManedevruProducerColors Kannada 2017Majaa TalkiesGuestColors KannadaSeason 1Dance Dance JuniorsGuest Star Suvarna2017–2018Family PowerHost Colors Kannada 2019Kannadada Kotyadhipati Season 42020Majaa TalkiesGuestSeason 22021NetravathiProducerUdaya TV 2021Dance Karnataka DanceGuest Zee KannadaDance DanceGuestStar Suvarna 2025 Maarigallu Mayuravarma Zee5 Posthumous AI appearance
References
External links