To say that Puneeth Rajkumar’s premature loss of life has induced shockwaves throughout Karnataka will maybe be an understatement. The feeling is extra visceral and private for the individuals of the state who actually noticed him develop up in entrance of their eyes, on that magical silver display screen. Son of their beloved Annavru, Dr Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar made his debut with director Somashekhar’s 1976 thriller Premada Kanike when he was simply 6-months-old. He continued to behave in movies as a baby artiste, successful a slew of awards together with the distinguished National Film Award, earlier than he turned 14. The 1989 film Parashuram marked his final look as a baby artist.
After a protracted hiatus, he returned to the large display screen with director Puri Jagannadh’s Appu. The wiry teenager was now a full-grown star. As a 14-year-old impressionable teenger, I bear in mind I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I vividly do not forget that I tagged together with my associates with out figuring out a lot concerning the film or the person who was headlining it. To me, Puneeth Rajkumar felt like a manifestation of sheer pressure so robust that would transfer mountains. He was muscular, however that by no means acquired in the way in which of his flexibility. He might do a full break up, backflip, and carry out a wide range of kicks in mid-air, in contrast to something we had seen earlier than. He was our model of Luke Cage. He was robust, darkish and it appeared no object might break him. That’s why he got here to be often called ‘Power Star,’ an honorary title to indicate the pressure of nature he appeared like.
Puneeth was additionally probably the greatest dancers that the Kannada movie business had ever produced. Arguably, no star of his stature in Kannada cinema right this moment might match his dancing expertise. For an viewers hungry for extra, he was an entire bundle. And in contrast to most, he didn’t all the time play protected or keep securely in his consolation zone. He explored completely different characters and tales, even when his efforts didn’t all the time fetch the specified outcomes.
Not simply on display screen, Puneeth was filled with pleasure and heat when off the digital camera too. He by no means rubbed his stardom in anybody’s face. There was one thing about him that felt grounded and calm. He all the time greeted everybody with an enormous smile and a lingering handshake.
Puneeth was additionally a health icon. He presided over many of the health programmes that occurred in Bengaluru. He was typically seen at marathon occasions within the metropolis and even ran in just a few. He all the time stored his followers motivated about health by posting movies of his high-intensity exercise periods.
Puneeth led an lively life and continued to advertise cinema until the final. He was a part of a pre-release occasion of his elder brother Shivarajkumar’s new film Bhajarangi 2 on Wednesday, and fortunately confirmed off his dancing expertise together with his trademark vitality and heat. Earlier right this moment, he tweeted his greatest needs to the movie because it opened on the large screens.
Ironically, the principle theme of Bhajarangi 2 is the that means of life. In a scene, Shivarajkumar’s Bhajarangi notes that even when one passes away, he’ll proceed to reside within the beliefs and rules that one has left behind.
Even although Puneeth Rajkumar handed away method too quickly, with many unrealised guarantees and desires, he’ll reside on in our reminiscence because the “Power Star”. The man who appeared unbreakable to a 14-year-old boy.
