For Puneeth Rajkumar, this was no time to die

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

Puneeth Rajkumar, Kannada film actor who died on Friday sending shock waves across the State, was on screen most of his life as he made his debut when he was six months old. He had an emotional connect with the audience that was rare in a star-driven industry.

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. “His down-to-earth personality and humility endeared him to many,” said film critic and historian K. Puttaswamy. His stint in television by hosting ‘Kannadada Kotyadhipati’ introduced him more intimately to the Kannada audience as a person that he was.

Of his three sons, Dr. Rajkumar promoted Puneeth (then called Lohith) the most, producing several films and starring in them himself. “The family considered him a child prodigy and was keen on promoting him. Films such as Yarivanu, Bhakta Prahlada, Eradu Nakshatragalu, and Bettada Hoovu were produced explicitly to promote Puneeth,” recounted senior film-maker Bhagavan. He went on to win a national award and two State awards for best child artist. The many songs he sang as a child artist endeared him to people, especially given that he was the son of Dr. Rajkumar who was also a singer-actor.