Puneeth Rajkumar

Puneeth Rajkumar, affectionately known as Appu by his fans, after his first lead role in the movie Appu, was an Indian actor, philanthropist, playback singer, television presenter and producer, who worked in Kannada cinema. He was the youngest son of actor and matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar. He was one of the most popular actors in Kannada cinema. He appeared as a lead in 32 films. As a child, he appeared in many films. His performances as a child actor in Vasantha Geetha (1980), Bhagyavantha (1981), Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983), Bhakta Prahaladha (1983), Yarivanu (1984) and Bettada Hoovu (1985) were praised. He won 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. Puneeth's first lead role was in 2002's Appu. In a career spanning three decades, he has won one National Film Award, four Karnataka State Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards South and five SIIMA awards. He was conferred with the Doctorate by Mysuru University. The Karnataka Government conferred the state's highest civilian award, Karnataka Ratna, to Puneeth Rajkumar on 1 November 2022, posthumously.

17 March 1975

Born on the same birth date (17 March 1975): Justin Hawkins • Test (wrestler)

Born on the same birth day (17 March): Adam Wade (singer) • Bayard Rustin • Bobby Jones (golfer) • Elli Stenberg • Filemon Lagman • Gene Ween • Giovanni Trapattoni • Josef Rheinberger • Katie Ledecky • Lee Dixon • Michael Kelly (editor) • Patrick McDonnell • Paul Ramadier • Penelope Lively • Roger Harper • Sayed Darwish • Sonny Werblin • Steven Pienaar • William Gibson • William John McKeag

Born in the same month (March 1975): Adonal Foyle • Audrey Marie Anderson • Cameron Murray (rugby union) • Christian Fiedler • Erika Heynatz • Eva Longoria • Fergie (singer) • Guillermo Díaz (actor) • Nicolae Grigore (footballer, born 1975) • Sienna Guillory • T. J. Thyne • Yannick Nézet-Séguin