Puneeth Rajkumar

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Puneeth Rajkumar
File:Puneeth.jpg
Native name ಪುನೀತ್ ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ್
Born Lohith
(1975-03-17) 17 March 1975 (age 49)
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Residence Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Other names Appu,Power star.
Occupation Actor, playback singer, television presenter
Years active 1976–1989
2002–present
Spouse(s) Ashwini Revanath (m. 1999)
Children 2
Parent(s) Rajkumar (father)
Parvathamma Rajkumar (mother)
Relatives Vinay Rajkumar (nephew)
Family Shivarajkumar (brother)
Raghavendra Rajkumar (brother)

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Puneeth Rajkumar (born 17 March 1975), is an Indian film actor, playback singer and television presenter who mostly works in Kannada cinema. He has appeared 23 films as a lead actor, prior to which he had a career as a child artiste appearing in films to which his father Rajkumar appeared in lead roles. As a child artist, his performances in Vasantha Geetha (1980), Bhagyavantha (1981), Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983) and Bettada Hoovu (1985) received appreciation.[1] He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role of Ramu in Bettada Hoovu.[2] His first film in a lead role came in the 2002 in Appu. He went on to appear in other commercial successful films over the years, such as Abhi (2003), Aakash (2005), Arasu (2007), Milana (2007), Jackie (2010), Hudugaru (2011) , Paramathma (2011), "Power" (2014), "Mythri" (2015) and "Rana Vikrama" (2015), establishing him as one of the leading contemporary actors in Kannada cinema.

He is the youngest son of Rajkumar, Kannada cinema's most celebrated actor, and the brother of actors Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar. In 2012, he debuted as a television presenter with the game show Kannadada Kotyadhipati, a Kannada version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

Early life

Puneeth Rajkumar was born as Lohith at Kalyani Hospital, Madras, Tamil Nadu, to Rajkumar and Parvathamma Rajkumar as their fifth and youngest child. He grew up there till the age of six, before the family shifted base to Bangalore. A superstar at the time, his father took him to his shooting sets along with his sister Poornima till he was ten years old.[3] His elder brothers Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar were popular actors in the 1990s, with the former still acting in films.

Puneeth started his film career when he was six months old in his father's film Premada Kanike[4] and Sanaadi Appanna[5] when he was one year old. He appeared as a son for his real father in many movies such as Yarivanu, Vasantha Geetha, Chalisuva Modagalu. He left school at a very early age and began to act in movies. He studied with a private teacher at his home and later received a Diploma in Computer Science. He then started a career in a mining business before entering the film industry in leading roles. He was trained in dancing and fighting for three years before his first film as a hero. Puneeth has had training in Kalarippayattu, one of the oldest Indian martial arts.[citation needed]

Career

Early career (1976–89)

His acting career started with the movie "Premada Kaanike" and then continued with Vasantha Geetha","Bhagyavanta,"Yeradu Nakshatragalu", "Parashu Ram".He had won national award for his role in 'bettada hoovu'.

Lead roles (2002–present)

Appu is the first film which he acted as Hero, which Became Block Buster, Then "Abhi", Followed By "Veera Kannadiga", "Maurya" ,"Namma Basava" , "Aakash", Arasu and "Bindass" all crossed 100 days and made him Top Hero in Kannada Film Industry.In 2007, He starred in Milana which has run for a year in PVR Multiplex Bangalore. He received the Karnataka State Best Actor Award for his role in the film.[1][6] In 2010, he starred in the movie Jackie paired with Bhavana Menon. This movie got wide critical acclaim [7] and was adjudged the Best Film of 2010 at the South Filmfare Awards.[8] The Telugu version was released on 6 May 2011. He acted in two movies in the year 2011, including Hudugaru.[9] Puneeth earned his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada[10] and also SIIMA awards for Best Actor for this movie. The other was Paramathma[11] under the direction of director Yograj Bhat, followed by Anna Bond in 2012 directed by Soori,[12] the director who had directed him in Jackie. His movie Yaare Koogadali[13] released in December 2012 got rave reviews from critics and was followed by Ninnindale (2014). Power which has hit the theaters recently is going strong at the box office. Puneet Starrer Makes Record Collection of ₹22 Crore in 6 Days [14] Puneeth is the only actor so far who has a 90% Success Ratio, in which 18 films out of 23 films completed 100+ days. In total, so far he has acted in 23 Films with Rana Vikrama (2015 Kannada film) another good hit at the box office being his latest, He has the record for highest number of movies to complete 100+ days(18 movies), 4 Films completed 50+ days. He is loved by both class and mass audience which is rare, People often call him "Power Star", Due to his success he also called as "Box office king", People love him not only due to his movies but also for his simplicity and down to earth personality.

Singing career

Apart from acting, Puneeth also had a singing career. He has sung since his childhood in all his movies as a child artist. Kanadante Mayavadanu from Chalisuva Modagalu is one of his songs as a child artist. He sang with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam in his movie Bettada Hoovu. When he entered as a male lead he also began singing at least one song in all his films.

It is usual for music directors of his movies to record a song in his voice. From his first movie Appu, he was mostly singing solo. With the song Jothe Jotheyali from the movie Vamshi he sang duets too.[15] In 2010 he sang another fast-number in his movie Jackie after which he rendered voice to his brother Shivrajkumar's film titled "Lava Kusha" and Mylari.[16] Puneeth has also given voice for Ganesh movie Shyloo and also for Yogesh's Sidlingu. He is also given voice in films like Ale,Tirupathi Express,Sharan's Adyaksha and Tony.Recently he gave voice for Shivrajkumar's Killing Veerappan movie , "Spot Spot".

Most of his songs have turned out to be hits that include songs which are dominantly rhythmic and peppy such as "Bandanoora Bhandarella", "Hosa gaana bajaana", "Taliban alla alla", "Hotappa hotu", "Adhyaksha", "Naaire naaire" among others. And a few of his songs like "Jothe jotheyali", "Guruvaara sanje" "Neene Neene" have a melodious tune too.In the recent years he has also become a successful and most needed singer in the Kannada Film Industry.

TV Shows

In 2013 Puneeth hosted the quiz show Kannadada Kotyadhipati which is modeled on the Hindi show Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, which was in turn modeled on British show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? hosted by Chris Tarrant.[17] Show had a very High TRP ratings all over the season.[citation needed]. After the phenomenal success of season-1[18] second season followed in 2013.[19]

Other interests

Before entering the film industry he was actively involved in a Home Banner Vajreshwari Combines film distribution job in Karnataka, which still continues. He produced some of the movies made for their brothers Shivaraj Kumar as well as Raghavendra Rajkumar. Two TV serials were also produced by him. In the same serial he has made guest appearance. In the movie Akasmika he designed the costumes of Rajkumar.

Puneeth has a knowledge of Steadicam which is used in films to shoot scenes like stunts and car chases. Learning about new brand cameras and high definition lenses to movies is his favorite hobby.[citation needed]

As per the wishes of his father Rajkumar, he along with his brothers and family have built a hotel in Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru called Dr. Raj International.

Puneeth has also involved himself in philanthropic works with his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar and carries this out in an Ashram called Shakti Dhama in Mysore.[20]

Brand endorsement

Puneeth's popularity has made him the brand ambassador for Karnataka Milk Federation's Nandini Milk products(No Remuneration Taken Because It Will Help Farmers),LED Bulb project(No Remuneration Due To It Will Help Both Government And People Of Karnataka To Consume Less Current),7 Up (PepsiCo), F-Square, Dixcy Scott, , Malabar Gold,[21] Manappuram [22] among others. He was also a brand ambassador of the Indian Premier League cricket team, Royal Challengers Bangalore.[23]

Personal life

Puneeth met Ashwini Revanath, who would be his future wife, through a common friend. Their friendship blossomed into love and they married on December 1, 1999.[3] They have two daughters together; Drithi and Vanditha.

In an interview with The Times of India, Puneeth revealed about his passion about Spanish and Hollywood films.He also said Michael Jackson is his favorite singer and dancer.[3]

Filmography

Child artist

Year Film Role Notes
1975 Premada Kanike credited as Master Rajkumar
1977 Sanaadi Appanna Young Ashok
1980 Vasantha Geetha Shyaam credited as Master Lohith
1981 Bhagyavantha Krishna credited as Master Lohith
1981 Thayige Thakka Maga credited as Master Lohith
1981 Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha Lord Krishna credited as Master Lohith
1982 Hosa Belaku Puttu credited as Master Lohith
1982 Chalisuva Modagalu Ramu
1983 Bhakta Prahlada Prahlada
1983 Eradu Nakshatragalu Raja
1984 Yarivanu Shyaam
1985 Bettada Hoovu Ramu
1988 Shiva Mecchida Kannappa Young Kannappa
1989 Parashuram Appu

Lead role

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Notes
2002 Appu Appu
2003 Abhi Abhi
2004 Veera Kannadiga Munna
2004 Maurya Manu
2005 Aakash Aakash
2005 Namma Basava Basava
2006 Ajay Ajay
2007 Arasu Shivaraj Aras
2007 Milana Aakash
2008 Bindaas Shivu
2008 Vamshi Vamshi
2009 Raaj - The Showman Mutturaj
2009 Raam Raam Remake
2010 Prithvi Prithvi Kumar
2010 Jackie Janakirama "Jackie"
2011 Hudugaru Prabhu remake
2011 Paramathma Param
2012 Anna Bond Bond Ravi
2012 Yaare Koogadali Kumara Remake
2014 Ninnindale Vicky Venkatesh
2014 Power Bharath Kumar IPS remake of Telugu film Dookudu
2015 Mythri Himself Bilingual film (Kannada, Malayalam), Guest appearance-Mohan Lal.
2015 RanaVikrama Vikram Kumar
2015 Chakravyuha Filming
2015 Doddmane Hudga Filming
2015 Rajakumara Pre-production
2016 James Pre-production

As playback singer

Year Film Song Composer
1981 Bhagyavantha "Baana Dariyalli" T. G. Lingappa
1982 Chalisuva Modagalu "Kaanadante" Rajan-Nagendra
1983 Bhakta Prahlada "Govinda", "Ela Elavo" T. G. Lingappa
1983 Eradu Nakshatragalu "Nanna Udupu", "Howdu Endare", "Amma Kannu" G. K. Venkatesh
1984 Yarivanu "Kannige", "Aakashada" Rajan-Nagendra
1985 Bettada Hoovu "Bisile Irali", "Thayi Sarade" Rajan-Nagendra
1989 Parashuram "Kadre Thappu" Hamsalekha
2002 Appu "Talibaan Alla Alla" Gurukiran
2003 Abhi "Mama Mama Maja Madu" Gurukiran
2004 Veera Kannadiga "Naire Naire" Chakri
2004 Maurya "Simplagi Helthini"
"Machalli kocchodilla"
Gurukiran
2005 Rishi "Bandarura Bandarelle" Gurukiran
2005 Aakash "Hodi Hodi" R. P. Patnaik
2005 Namma Basava "Rukku Rukku Rukkamma"
2007 Arasu "Baaro Baaro" Joshua Sridhar
2007 Lava Kusha "Hotappa Hot Sakkath" Gurukiran
2008 Bindaas "Bindaas" Gurukiran
2008 Vamshi "Jothe Jotheyali" RP Patnaik
2009 Raam "Hosa Gaana Bajaana" V. Harikrishna
2010 Jackie "Edavatt Aytu" V. Harikrishna
2010 Mylari "Mylapura Mylari" Gurukiran
2011 Shyloo "Pada Pada Kannada" Jassie Gift
2012 Sidlingu "Barbhad Building"
2012 Anna Bond "Kaanadanthe" Remix
2013 Tony "Pakka Paapi Naanu"
2013 Ale "Solu Nanagagodilla"
2014 Savaari 2 "Motu Beedi"
2014 Adyaksha "Adhyaksha Adhyaksha" Arjun Janya
2014 Aryan "Kannada Mannina" Jassie Gift
2014 Power "Guruvara Sanje" S. Thaman
2014 Tirupathi Express "Naanu Righta"
2015 Krishna-Leela "Pesal Man" Sridhar V. Sambhram
2015 Rudra Tandava "Ondooralli" V. Harikrishna
2015 Rana Vikrama "Neene Neene"
2015 Rocket "Thannage Idvi"
2015 Uppi 2 "Uppittu Uppittu" Gurukiran
2015 Jaathre "Tarikere"
2015 Krishna-Rukku "Darling Darling" Sridhar V
2015 Ram Leela "Teri Beautiful" Anup Rubens
2015 Killing Veerappan "Spot Spot" Sai Karthik

Television

No Year Show name Role Channel Notes
1 2012 Kannadada Kotyadhipati[24] Host Suvarna Aired 12 March 2012
2 2013 Kannadada Kotyadhipati Season 2[25] Host Suvarna Aired 11 March 2013
3 2014 Weekend with Ramesh[26] Guest Zee Kannada Aired 2 August 2014

Awards and nominations

National Film Awards
Karnataka State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
South Indian International Movie Awards
South Scope Film Awards
Other awards
  • 2010: Suvarna Film Award for Best Actor — Jackie
  • 2012: Suvarna Film Award for Most Favorite Actor — Anna Bond
  • 2010: Udaya Film Award for Best Actor — Jackie

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebs/puneet-rajkumar/biography.html
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  6. [1]
  7. Puneet’s Jackie gets rave reviews from critics
  8. The glitter, the gloss, the razzmatazz – South Filmfare Awards. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2011-07-03). Retrieved on 2014-03-08.
  9. Puneethh Rajkumar's next film titled Hudugaru
  10. [2]
  11. The Hindu - In the name of God
  12. Puneeth to work with Soori
  13. http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebs/puneet-rajkumar/upcoming-movies.html
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  16. Myalri creates a big buzz
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External links

Puneeth Rajkumar at the Internet Movie Database