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Puneeth Rajkumar colloquially known as Appu, King Appu, and Power Star was an Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter, philanthropist, and producer who worked in Kannada films.

At the age of six months, Rajkumar was seen on the big screen as a child artist in the thriller Premada Kanike (1976). The film's director, V. Somasekhar selected him for a role, with his father playing the male lead. The following year, when Rajkumar was just one year old, he was cast in Sanadhi Appanna (1977), another film featuring his father in the lead role, alongside Jaya Prada and T.N. Balakrishna.

Between 1976 and 1989, Rajkumar featured in multiple films and established himself as a successful child actor. In 1981, he acted and recorded his first hit song "Baana Daariyalli Soorya" in the film in the film Bhagyavantha (1981). The song was composed by T.G. Lingappa.

Rajkumar was awarded the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Male) for his performance in Chelisuva Modagalu (1982). He also received his second Karnataka State Film Award in the same category for his role in Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983).

Rajkumar's biggest breakthrough as a child actor came with the film Bettada Hoovu (1985). which was adapted from the novel "What Then, Raman?" by Shirley L. Arora. He was honored with the award for Best Child Artist at the 33rd National Film Awards.

During his early teens, Rajkumar acted in Shiva Mecchida Kannappa (1988) along with his father and sibling Shivarajkumar. His last role as a child actor was in Parashuram (1989), where he shared screen space with his father.

In 1994, Rajkumar joined his family's production house Vajreshwari Combines, as a manager.

As a lead, Rajkumar made his debut in Appu (2002) opposite Rakshitha. The film was a box office success. Following this, Rajkumar appeared in many commercially successful films as a lead actor, such as Abhi (2003), Veera Kannadiga (2004), Ajay (2006), Arasu (2007), Vamshi (2008), Jackie (2010), Hudugaru (2011), Rana Vikrama (2015), Raajakumara (2017), Natasaarvabhowma (2019), and James (2022).

Rajkumar's final appearance on the big screen was in Gandhada Gudi (2022), a docudrama in which he played himself. The film was released on October 28, 2022, just a day before his first death anniversary.

Apart from acting, Rajkumar made his mark in professional singing too. He sang for movies like Appu (2002), Lava Kusha (2007), Vamshi (2008), Jackie (2010), Mylari (2010), and Akira (2016).

On the small screen, Rajkumar hosted the game show Kannadada Kotyadhipathi (2012). The show was modelled on the American game show, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' He also hosted Family Power (2017), a reality show on Colors Kannada.

In his career spanning three decades, Rajkumar won several awards, including one National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards South, four Karnataka State Film Awards, and five SIIMA Awards.

Rajkumar was awarded an honorary doctorate posthumously by the University of Mysuru (Mysore) (UoM). He was conferred Karnataka Ratna, the highest civilian award in the state, by the Karnataka Government on November 1, 2022.

Rajkumar died on October 29, 2021, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, after suffering a heart attack.

Girish Karnad was born on 19th May 1938 in Matheran, Maharashtra. He is acclaimed for his contemporary playwrights in Kannada. He is also an actor, director and screen writer. He was conferred Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan by the Government of India and won four Filmfare Awards where three are Filmfare Award for Best Director - Kannada and one Filmfare Best Screenplay Award.

Shankanada Aravind was born in 1950 in India. He was an actor and producer, known for Brahma (2014), Ranadheera (1988) and Antima Theerpu (1988). He was married to Rama. He died on 7 May 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Kashinath was born in Kundapura, Udupi, Karnataka, India. He was an actor and director, known for Aparichita (1978), Anantana Avantara (1989) and Be-Shaque (1981). He died on 18 January 2018 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Pratima Devi was born in 1933 in Udupi, Karnataka, India. She was an actress and producer, known for Anokhi Ada (1948), Victoria No. 203 (1972) and Sawan Aya Re (1949). She was married to Shanker D. Singh. She died on 6 April 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Kishori Ballal was an actress, known for Swades (2004), Sparsha (2000) and Kempe Gowda (2011). She was married to N Sripathi Ballal. She died on 18 February 2020 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Mohan Juneja was an actor and writer, known for K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018), K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022) and Sri Renuka Devi (2003). He died on 7 May 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Shani Mahadevappa was born in 1933 in Malavalli, Karnataka, India. He was an actor, known for Operation Diamond Racket (1978), Jackie Chan (1997) and Akasmika (1993). He died on 3 January 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Geethapriya was born on 15 June 1932 in British India. He was a writer and director, known for Manninamaga (1968), Kalyani (1971) and Bhoopathiranga (1970). He died on 17 January 2016 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

C.I.D. Sakunthala was born in Arisipalayam, Salem, Tamilnadu, India. She was an actress, known for Punnagai Mannan (1986), Kai Kodutha Deivam (1964) and Thirumalai Thenkumari (1970). She died on 17 September 2024 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Bhargavi Narayan was born on 4 February 1938 in India. She was an actress, known for 777 Charlie (2022), Eradu Kanasu (1974) and Butterfly. She was married to Belavadi Nanjundaiah Narayana. She died on 14 February 2022 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Sanchari Vijay was born in 1983 in India. He was an actor, known for Naanu Avanalla... Avalu (2015), Killing Veerappan (2016) and Gentleman (2020). He died on 15 June 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Mandeep Roy was born on 4 April 1949 in Karnataka, India. He was an actor, known for Nishkarsha (1993), Murder (1994) and Akasmika (1993). He died on 29 January 2023 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Soundarya Jagadish was a producer and writer, known for Snehitaru (2012), Masth Majaa Maadi (2008) and Appu and Pappu (2010). Soundarya died on 14 April 2024 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

B.V. Radha was born on 15 August 1948 in Bangalore, Mysore State, India. She was an actress and producer, known for Yaar Nee? (1966), Partha (2003) and Churi Chikanna (1969). She was married to K.S.L. Swamy. She died on 10 September 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

S.K. Bhagavan was born on 5 July 1933. He was a director and writer, known for Operation Diamond Racket (1978), Eradu Kanasu (1974) and Pratidhwani (1971). He died on 20 February 2023 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

K.V. Raju was born in 1954 in India. He was a writer and director, known for Police Lock Up (1992), Rashtra Geet (2001) and Indrajeet (1991). He died on 24 December 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

A.T. Raghu was born in Kodagu, India. He was a director and writer, known for Mysore Jaana (1992), Rambo Raja Revolver Rani (1996) and Ajay-Vijay (1990). He was married to Leela Raghu. He died on 20 March 2025 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

R.N. Sudarshan was born on 2 May 1939 in Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an actor, known for Shubha Mangala (1975), Rudraksham (1994) and Karulinakare (1970). He was married to Shylashri. He died on 8 September 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Guruprasad was born on 2 November 1972 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He was an actor and writer, known for Yarige Beda Duddu (2001), Aaha Brahmachari (1993) and Director's Special (2013). He died on 3 November 2024 in Madanaiyakanahalli, Karnataka, Bengaluru district, India.

Parvathamma Rajkumar was born on 6 December 1939 in Saligrama, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. She was a producer, known for R the King, Guri (1986) and Run Antony (2016). She was married to Rajkumar. She died on 31 May 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Ashok Rao was an actor, known for Bombaat (2008), Cyanide (2006) and Yuvah (2009). He died on 2 February 2022 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Rajesh was born on 15 April 1935 in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an actor, known for Purana Purush (1978), Anand (1986) and Suvarnabhoomi (1969). He died on 19 February 2022 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Sarigama Viji was born in 1949 in India. He was an actor and writer, known for Chalu Aunty (2002), Jagath Kiladi (1998) and Kannadadda Kiran Bedi (2009). He died on 15 January 2025 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

K.C.N. Chandrasekhar was born in 1952 in India. He was a producer, known for Babruvahana (1977), Saravana (2006) and Mahaguru (1985). He died on 13 June 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.