Highlights
- Puneeth Rajkumar started his profession as a baby artist
- He made his mark early in life with Bhakta Prahalada
- He gained a Nationwide Award for Bettada Hoovu
New Delhi:
He was matinee icon Rajkumar’s son, after all, however Puneeth Rajkumar was additionally the “Energy Star” who moved out of his father’s lengthy shadows to sparkle within the arclights as Kannada cinema’s most bankable, extremely paid actor. Puneeth Rajkumar was solely 46 when he died after a large coronary heart assault following a two-hour exercise within the gymnasium, beautiful his legions of followers, colleagues and political leaders left questioning simply how a younger man so seemingly match and wholesome may have gone so quickly, so all of the sudden.
The proficient, affable actor, who leaves behind his spouse and two daughters, was popularly often called Powerstar for his sturdy efficiency in various commercially-successful Kannada movies. He was not only a star of movies resembling Appu but additionally a celeb tv host and the occasional singer too. The actor grew up below the tutelage of the late Dr Rajkumar, the legendary Kannada character icon, starting his profession as a baby artist.
Puneeth, the fifth and the youngest baby of the celebrity, made his mark early in life with a rare efficiency in Bhakta Prahalada the place he labored together with his father. He was additionally praised for his efficiency in Vasantha Geeta and Bhagyavantha.
But it surely was Bettada Hoovu, the place he performed the function of a younger boy Ramu who assists a researcher to discover a uncommon flower, that gained Puneeth a nationwide award as the perfect baby actor. A health fanatic, Puneeth was a very good badminton participant and was a daily on the gymnasium.
On Friday additionally, he went to the gymnasium, based on docs. After finishing two hours of work-out, he developed extreme chest ache.
He was rushed to the hospital following the cardiac arrest however he couldn’t be saved. As a number one man, Puneeth made his entry into Kannada movie business with the 2002 characteristic Appu, the film that introduced him monumental success and fan following, a lot in order that his followers began calling him Appu.
His notable movies included Abhi, Veera Kannadiga, Mourya, Chakravyuha, Doddmane Hudga, Akash, Arasu, Milana, Jackie, Raajakumara and Anjani Putra.
Puneeth hit a dry spell through the interval 2006 -2009 however returned with a bang with back-to-back hits like Prithvi, actioner Jackie, Hudugaru and Yaare Koogadali.
He discovered additional fame with the 2012 motion film Anna Bond and Jayanth C. Paranjee’s romance Ninnindale.
The largest hit of profession got here in 2017 when Puneeth headlined Raajakumara. The blockbuster movie turned the highest-grossing Kannada-language movie of all time. However the report was subsequent 12 months damaged by KGF: Chapter 1.
It additionally earned him a Filmfare Award for finest actor – Kannada. After having no releases in 2018, Puneeth returned with 2019’s supernatural motion movie Natasaarvabhowma and had a cameo look in Padde Huli.
The actor final featured in filmmaker Santhosh Ananddram’s Yuvarathnaa and had just lately wrapped taking pictures for Chethan Kumar’s James.
He was set to begin working with director Pawan Kumar for his subsequent film Dvitva from November 1.
Like his father, Puneeth was often known as a playback singer, beginning with Appu. He sang the favored duet Jothe Jotheyali for Vamshi.
Once more following in on the footsteps of his well-known father, Puneeth had pledged to donate his eyes and his want was honoured after his loss of life.
Puneeth’s elder brothers Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar are additionally stars within the Kannada movie business.
On the small display screen, Puneeth hosted the primary two seasons of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada model of Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati. After sitting out for the third season, he returned to host it for the fourth season.
He additionally emceed Colours Kannada’s actuality present Household Energy. His sudden loss of life has shaken the entire nation to the core with personalities from totally different walks of life paying a tribute to him.
Mourning Puneeth’s sudden passing away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to as the younger actor’s loss of life a “merciless coincidence”.
“A merciless coincidence has snatched away from us a prolific and proficient actor, Puneeth Rajkumar. This was no age to go. The approaching generations will bear in mind him fondly for his works and fantastic character. Condolences to his household and admirers. Om Shanti.”
A merciless coincidence has snatched away from us a prolific and proficient actor, Puneeth Rajkumar. This was no age to go. The approaching generations will bear in mind him fondly for his works and fantastic character. Condolences to his household and admirers. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/ofcNpnMmW3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2021
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai stated Puneeth’s loss of life was tough to return to phrases with. “An enormous private loss and one which’s tough to return to phrases with. Praying the almighty provides the Rajkumar household and followers the power to bear this loss.” he tweeted.
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) October 29, 2021
Mr Bommai stated the actor was supposed to satisfy him on Friday to plan Kannada Rajyotsava on November 1.
“However the future had one thing else in retailer. As a substitute of assembly me, he went elsewhere. That is extraordinarily stunning,” the CM instructed reporters.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin additionally expressed shock at Puneeth’s sudden loss of life and remembered him as a “humble human being regardless of his stardom.” South star Mohanlal despatched his condolences to his household. “The lack of Puneeth Rajkumar has come as a horrible shock. I nonetheless discover the information exhausting to imagine. It feels as if I’ve misplaced a youthful brother. My ideas & prayers exit to his household with whom I share a detailed bond. I want them power & consolation to deal with this loss,” he wrote.
Actor Mahesh Babu stated Puneeth’s sudden demise has left him “shocked and deeply saddened.” “Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic information of Puneeth Rajkumar’s demise. One of the vital humble folks I’ve met and interacted with…,” he tweeted.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)