On Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar’s 49th birth anniversary today (March 17), celebrities from the Kannada film industry took to their social media handles to pen emotional notes, remembering the thespian. He died of cardiac arrest in October 2021. His older brother Shivarajkumar, actors Rishab Shetty, Rakshit Shetty, Kichcha Sudeep, and Dhananjay shared heartfelt tributes in remembrance of the late actor-producer, who was fondly called ‘Appu’.
Shiva posted a picture of himself alongside Puneeth, accompanying it with an emotional note written in Kannada. The caption read, “Happy Birthday, Appu,” and the note highlighted Puneeth’s larger-than-life persona as a guide, deity, and the beloved “God to millions”, while Shiva affectionately remembered him as his little brother and eternal companion. “Brother, you came into our lives as a gift and became Puneeth in everyone’s hearts. People see God in you, you are a guide to many, their beloved deity, the power star loved by millions (sic),” read his heartwarming tribute. He continued, “But to me, you’ll always be my little brother. My companion who walked holding my hand, my happiness found in your smile, my comfort, lying on my chest. You live in my heart forever like a king. Happy birthday, #Appu (sic).”
ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು, ಅಪ್ಪು pic.twitter.com/jPbGPqGroV
— DrShivaRajkumar (@NimmaShivanna) March 17, 2024
Puneeth’s wife Ashwini Revnath, meanwhile, paid her respects on Instagram, captioning a photo, “Fond birthday remembrance of Appu… Forever in our hearts.”
National Award-winning actor-filmmaker Rakshit expressed his admiration for Puneeth, sharing a post that celebrated his immeasurable contributions to Kannada cinema and cherished memories of their friendship. “Happy birthday to my beloved Appu. Honouring his unmatched contribution to Kannada cinema and enduring kindness. Remembering our beloved Appu sir on his birth anniversary. His legacy lives on! (sic)”
ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಅಪ್ಪು ಸರ್ ಅವರ ಜನ್ಮದಿನದ ಸವಿನೆನಪು!
Honouring his unmatched contribution to Kannada cinema and enduring kindness. Remembering our beloved Appu sir on his birth anniversary ♥️
His legacy lives on! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/eq17orImtK
— Rakshit Shetty (@rakshitshetty) March 17, 2024
Kantara actor Rishab’s tribute honoured Puneeth’s enduring legacy as the “Sardar of smiling faces” and “Karnataka Ratna Dr Puneeth Rajkumar”, a “Paramatma residing in the hearts of many.” Meanwhile, Dhananjay fondly reminisced, “Beloved power star Appu’s birthday memory. Remembering you with love and gratitude on your special day.”
Kichcha Sudeep, in a note, urged everyone to embrace the day’s joy, declaring March 17 as a day to ‘bring a smile on everyone’s faces,’ while noting that Puneeth’s absence would always be felt. “An auspicious day to all the friends and fans of #Appu #PuneethRajkumar. Let this day bring smiles on everyone’s face. You will always be missed my friend. Happy March 17th to all. (sic)”
An auspicious day to all the friends and fans of #Appu #PuneethRajkumar .
Let this day bring smiles on everyone’s face.
You Wil always be missed my friend.
Happy March 17th to all♥️— Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) March 17, 2024
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Puneeth acted in several blockbuster films such as Raajakumara, Yuvarathanaa, James, Jackie, Anjani Putra, Power and Paramthama, among others. A child star debuting at six months old in Premada Kanike (1976), Puneeth (born as Lohith) went on to become a leading Kannada actor. Son of the legendary artiste Dr Rajkumar, Puneeth made his debut as an adult in Appu (2002). He is survived by his wife Ashwini and their two daughters, Vandhita and Dhriti. His final film, Gandhada Gudi, was released posthumously in 2022.
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