Name: Puneet Rajkumar
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 17 Mar 1975
Place of Birth: Bangalore
Biography
Puneet Rajkumar was born as Lohith to Kannada Film Industry thespian Dr Rajkumar and producer Parvathamma Rajkumar. He is their fifth and youngest child.He started his film career when he was six months old (Premada Kanike).[5] He appeared as a son for his real father in many movies. He left school at a very early age and began to act in movies. He studied with a private teacher at his home. Later he received a Diploma in Computer Science. He then started his career in a mining business before entering the film industry in leading roles. He trained in dancing and fighting for three years before his first film as a hero. Puneet has had training in Kalarippayattu, one of the oldest Indian Martial arts.
Debut as an actor
His acting career really started with the movie Vasantha Geetha, where he performed well when he was 5 years old.[6] Following this movie he worked in a few more popular movies between 1980 to 1984. In 1985 he worked on Bettada Hoovu and was honored with a National Film Award for Best Child Artist.[edit] Child artist
As a child artist he appeared in 12 movies: Premada Kanike (6 month-old child), Sanadi Appanna (1 year-old child), Vasantha Geetha, Bhagyavantha, Hosa Belaku, Chalisuva modagalu, Bhaktha prahlaada, Eradu nakshatragalu, Bettada hoovu, Yaarivanu, Shiva Mechchida Kannappa and Parashuram.Lead roles
After his performances in movies as a child artist, he re-entered the film industry in 2002 as the protagonist of the movie Appu which was remade in Telugu as Idiot and in Tamil as Dum in subsequent years. He received awards for the films Arasu and Milana. For the role he played in Arasu movie, he got a Film Fare Best actor award and received Karnataka State Best Actor award for Milana. The latter successfully ran for 50 days in over 37 centres in Karnataka, and 100 days in 5 centres.[7] It completed a record 1 year run in PVR Cinemas, Bengaluru in September 2008.In 2009, he starred in Raaj-The Showman which got mixed reviews from critics yet succeeded at the box office. His other movie that year, Raam also succeeded at the box office.[8] In 2010, Prithvi was released and completed 100 days run.[9] The movie got critical appreciation for its bold portrayal of ongoing politics in Karnataka.[10][11] He won accolades from both critics and audiences for his role in the 2010 blockbuster movie Jackie where he played a character that's rustic and local, yet charming and suave.[12][13]
Three movies are scheduled for the year 2011, including Hudugaru, which is a multi-starrer.[14] The other 2 include one with director Yograj Bhat titled Paramathma[15] followed by Anna Bond to be directed by Soori.[16]
Singing career
Apart from acting Puneet has also had a singing career. He has sung since childhood in all his movies as a child artist, 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, as most of his songs have mass appeal. From his first movie Appu, he was using his voice for solo songs mostly. With the song Jothe Jotheyali from the movie Vamshi he sang duets too which became a hit song of 2008.[17] In 2010 he sang another fast-number in his hit movie Jackie after which he rendered voice to his brother Shivrajkumar's film titled "lava kusha" and Mylari.[18]
Movies Sang
2010 - Mylari ( Kannada )
2010 - Jackie ( Kannada )
2009 - Raam ( Kannada )
2008 - Vamshi ( Kannada )
2007 - Lava Kusha ( Kannada )
2005 - Rishi ( Kannada )
2004 - Veera Kannadiga ( Kannada )
2004 - Maurya ( Kannada )
2003 - Abhi ( Kannada )
2002 - Appu ( Kannada )
1985 - Bettada Hoovu ( Kannada )
1982 - Chalisuva Modagalu ( Kannada )
Extra activities
Before entering the film industry, he was actively involved in a Home Banner Vajreshwari Combines' film distribution job in Karnataka, this 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 movie Akasmika he designed the costumes of Dr Rajkumar.
Puneet has 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 probably his favorite hobby.
As per the wishes of his father Dr Rajkumar, he along with his brothers and family have built a hotel in Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru called Dr.Raj International.[19]
Puneet involves himself in philanthropic works with his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar and carries this out in an Ashram called Shakti Dhama in Mysooru.
Brand endorsement
He is the brand ambassador for fSquare, Malabar Gold,[20] Manappuram [21] and for a dance show called "DHEE". Also his decision to be brand ambassador for state-owned Karnataka Milk Federation without any remuneration for its product of "Nandini", has been praised by media and fans.[22][23] Decades ago his father Dr Rajkumar also became the brand ambassador for "Nandini" milk products without taking remuneration, which had helped KMF products to increase sales in the Karnataka State and outside too.[24]He is now the brand ambassador of Royal Challengers Bangalore, an IPL team.[25] He has replaced Upendra, who was the brand ambassador of the team in 2008 and 2009.
Filmography
As a child artist
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Premada kanike | Child artist | |
| 1977 | Sanaadi Appanna | Child artist | |
| 1980 | Vasantha Geetha | Shyaam | |
| 1981 | Bhagyavantha | Krishna | |
| 1982 | Hosa Belaku | Puttu | |
| Chalisuva Modagalu | Ramu | ||
| 1983 | Bhakta Prahlada | Prahlada | |
| Eradu Nakshatragalu | Raja | ||
| 1984 | Yaarivanu | Shyaam | |
| 1985 | Bettada Hoovu | Ramu | Winner, National Film Award for Best Child Artist |
| 1989 | Parashurama | Appu |
Leading role
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Appu | Appu | 175 days, Remade in Telugu as Idiot |
| 2003 | Abhi | Abhi | 100 days |
| 2004 | Veera Kannadiga | Munna | 100 days |
| Maurya | Manu | 100 days | |
| 2005 | Aakash | Akash | 204 days in Menaka Theatre, Blr. |
| Namma Basava | Basava | 100 days | |
| 2006 | Ajay | Ajay | 100 days |
| 2007 | Arasu | Shivaraj Urs | 150 days Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award |
| Milana | Akash | 450 days Winner, Karnataka State Best Actor Award Dubbed to Malayalam [26] | |
| 2008 | Bindaas | Shivu | 100 days Dubbed to Telugu as Pandugadu |
| Vamshi | Vamshi | 200 days | |
| 2009 | Raaj - The Showman | Mutturaj | 100 days [27] |
| Raam | Raam | 200 days [28] | |
| 2010 | Prithvi | Prithvi Kumar | 125 days [29] Dubbed to Malayalam [30] |
| Jackie | Janakirama aka Jackie | Blockbuster of the year 2010,[31] Completed 100 Days with record collections and is being dubbed in Telugu and Malayalam | |
| 2011 | Hudugaru | Filming[32] | |
| 2011 | Paramathma | Announced[33] | |
| 2011 | Anna Bond | Announced[34] |
Personal life
He married Ashwini Revanath at the age of 24 and they have two daughters Drithi and Vandhita.Awards and honours
National awards
State awards
Filmfare awards
- Filmfare Best Actor Award - Arasu - 2006
Other awards
- Great son of Karnataka
- AKKA Best Actor Award for the movie Raam
- Excellent Dancer Award
- South Scope - Best Actor Award for the movie Raaj-The Showman - 2010
2011 - Hudugaru ( Kannada )
2011 - Ekka ( Kannada )
2011 - Paramathma ( Kannada )
2011 - Jackie ( Telugu )
2011 - Ishtam Enikishtam ( Malayalam )
2011 - Anna Bond ( Kannada )
2010 - Jackie ( Kannada )
2010 - Prithvi ( Kannada )
2009 - Raam ( Kannada )
2009 - Raaj - The Showman ( Kannada )
2009 - Pandugadu ( Telugu )
2008 - Bindaas ( Kannada )
2008 - Vamshi ( Kannada )
2007 - Arrasu ( Kannada )
2007 - Milana ( Kannada )
2006 - Ajay ( Kannada )
2005 - Akash ( Kannada )
2004 - Siddhartha ( Kannada )
2004 - Maurya ( Kannada )
2004 - Veera Kannadiga ( Kannada )
2003 - Abhi ( Kannada )
2002 - Appu ( Kannada )
1989 - Parashuram ( Kannada )
1985 - Bettada Hoovu ( Kannada )
1984 - Yaarivanu? ( Kannada )
1983 - Bhakta Prahlada ( Kannada )
1983 - Eradu Nakshatragalu ( Kannada )
1981 - Bhagyavanta ( Kannada )
2005 - Namma Basava ( Kannada )
1988 - Shiva Mechchida Kannappa ( Kannada )
1984 - Yaarivanu ( Kannada )
1983 - Bhaktha Prahlaada ( Kannada )
1982 - Hosa Belaku ( Kannada )
1981 - Bhagyavantha ( Kannada )
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