Remembering Puneeth Rajkumar: A Man With A Golden Heart

The actor carved his own path, but kept his father’s legacy; his appeal as an actor probably had its roots in how he literally grew up in front of the audience over the years.

To say that Puneeth Rajkumar’s untimely death has caused shockwaves across Karnataka will perhaps be an understatement. The feeling is more visceral and personal for the people of the state who literally saw him grow up in front of their eyes, on that magical silver screen. His first appearance on the big screen was when he was just 6 month old as a child artist and then he went on to win the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role of Ramu in Bettada Hoovu. He also won Karnataka State Award Best Child artist for Chalisuva Modagalu and Eradu Nakshatragalu. He was truly born to be an actor.

As far as his films as lead actor is concerned, Puneeth Rajkumar created history there as well. Out of the 49 films that he featured in, 40 crossed 100 days at the theatres. Since his films had a 90 per cent success rate, Puneeth Rajkumar was a Power Star in every sense.

A Synonym For Simplicity 

His appeal as a leading actor across all age groups — from children to octogenarians — probably had its roots in how he literally grew up in front of the audience over the years and how he consciously kept to the legacy of his father, Dr. Rajkumar, in his choice of films as well as how he came across as a person.

A philanthropist who did several charities

Though he rarely spoke about his philanthropic activities, the actor was a strong supporter of social causes and contributed generously to charities and foundations. When the nation was grappling with the Covid crisis last year, Puneeth Rajkumar had donated Rs 50 lakh to the Karnataka CM Relief Fund to help the state in its fight against Covid-19. The Kannada superstar had, in 2019, donated Rs 5 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Natural Calamity Relief Fund to help flood victims in North Karnataka during the severe floods.

He was also involved in philanthropic work along with his mother at the Shakthidhama ashram in Mysore. The actor, through his charitable institution, ‘Shakthidhama’ was supporting thousands of girl students. The actor, like his late father Dr Rajkumar, had decided to donate his eyes following his death. Puneeth Rajkumar became the 3rd member of his family to donate his eyes after his father Dr Rajkumar and mother Parvathamma.

Even though Puneeth Rajkumar passed away way too soon, with many unrealised promises and dreams, he will live on in our memory as our “Appu”.