Late Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar always stole the show with his humility and had everyone hooked with his acting skills. But in 2021, when he left us too soon following a heart attack at the age of 46, it was like a bolt from the blue for the entire industry. Fans were left heartbroken everywhere.
Puneeth started acting when he was only six months old. He was a child star in 28 movies, even winning a National Film Award. After taking a break for 13 years, the actor came back with a bang in 2002 with Appu. And guess what? That name stuck with him forever.
In addition to his stellar film career and passion for action, Puneeth Rajkumar also dipped his toes into the world of television with Kannadada Kotyadipathi. Inspired by Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic Hindi reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Kannada adaptation premiered in 2015. Impressed by Amitabh’s hosting prowess and the success of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Puneeth saw the veteran actor as a source of inspiration. Taking a cue from Big B’s style, Puneeth took on the role of the host of Kannadada Kotyadipathi.
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A post shared by Puneeth Rajkumar (@puneethrajkumar.official)
Puneeth also visited the sets of KBC and in an interview with Rediff.com, he had opened up about his experience meeting Big B. He said, “I was taken to the sets of KBC just to watch the programme. It was a great privilege to actually meet him. He introduced me to the public seated in the studio and urged them to wish me good luck for the show I am hosting in Kannada.”
The actor added, “I didn’t take any tips or inputs from him as he was very busy. I got very scared looking at him and the manner in which he hosted the show so professionally. I was glued to his performance and came to know how the game is played.”
Puneeth Rajkumar initially had reservations about hosting the show’s Kannada version. The actor questioned why they selected him, as he didn’t consider himself very knowledgeable. He even pondered whether it was suitable for him, given that he had only completed high school. However, Puneeth clarified that he doesn’t make a distinction between television and other mediums, seeing it all as part of the job. Despite his initial doubts, Puneeth eventually accepted the opportunity.
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He said, “I am sure there will be a lot of criticism about it. It could be about the language and the way I pronounce it. But, this is the way I am. First of all, I had to get used to the game and know how it is played. I had to be taught how the machine works and what it means to lock the answer. I had to learn the cues and explanations after I pose a question to a contestant.”
Amitabh Bachchan had previously discussed Puneeth Rajkumar’s legacy, particularly his final film, Gandhada Gudi. He had expressed his inability to speak about Puneeth in the past tense, indicating the lasting impact he had. Reflecting on their bond, Amitabh couldn’t help but recall meeting Puneeth as a child, always with an infectious smile. He praised Puneeth’s role in the film, noting how it reminded audiences about the beauty of nature and living in harmony with it.
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