✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Puneeth Rajkumar

Puneeth Rajkumar photo for featured biography, wiki and celebrities profileFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Celebrities

Puneeth Rajkumar Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 3 min read

Request CorrectionClaim Profile

Quick Info

Date of birth17 March 1975

Age46 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceChennai, India

ProfessionActor, Singer, Film Producer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseAshwini Revanth

FamilyFather: Rajkumar; Mother: Parvathamma Rajkumar; Brothers: Shiva Rajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar; Sisters: Lakshmi, Poornima

Puneeth Rajkumar Biography

Puneeth Rajkumar was an Indian actor, singer and film producer who became one of Kannada cinema’s most popular stars. Beginning as a child artist, he won a

Early life and background
Puneeth Rajkumar was born Lohith Rajkumar on 17 March 1975 in Chennai, India, into a family deeply involved in Kannada cinema. He grew up in Bangalore, Karnataka, and carried the industry legacy of his parents: his father was the well-known actor Rajkumar and his mother, Parvathamma Rajkumar, worked as a producer and distributor. Known affectionately as Appu, Puneeth developed an early connection to film that led him in front of the camera as an infant.

Career
Puneeth’s screen career began in 1976 with a small role in the Kannada film Premada Kanike. Over the next decade he appeared in more than a dozen films as a child artist, including roles in Sanaadi Appanna and the critically noted Bettada Hoovu. His performance in Bettada Hoovu earned him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist in 1985 and helped establish him as a gifted young performer.

After years in supporting and child roles, Puneeth transitioned to leading-man status in 2002 with the film Appu, in which he played the title character. That film marked the start of a sustained run as a commercial star in Kannada cinema, with notable appearances in Abhi, Veera Kannadiga, Maurya, Aakash, Namma Basava and Ajay. He won multiple awards throughout his career for lead performances, including Filmfare and Karnataka State Film Awards for films such as Arasu, Milana, Jackie, Hudugaru, Rana Vikrama and Raajakumara.

Puneeth also worked behind the scenes as a producer, with Kavaludaari (2019) listed among projects he produced. He remained active in front of the camera through 2021, with Yuvarathnaa cited as his last acting film release.

Music and television work
In addition to acting, Puneeth sang several Kannada songs across his career, contributing vocals to films and continuing a musical thread that dated back to his childhood appearances. His singing credits include tracks from films like Bhagyavantha, Chalisuva Modagalu and Bhakta Prahlada, and he performed the song ‘Taliban Alla Alla’ for the 2002 film Appu.

On television, Puneeth hosted the first season of the Kannada quiz show Kannadada Kotyadhipati in 2012 and returned for subsequent seasons. He also presented the reality game show Family Power and served as a judge on the dance competition UPstarters in 2014. His presence on television broadened his appeal beyond cinema and brought him into many Karnataka households.

Public profile
Puneeth’s popularity extended to brand endorsement and public campaigning. He served as a brand ambassador for the IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore and represented multiple commercial brands and initiatives, including Nandini Milk (Karnataka Milk Federation), 7 Up, Malabar Gold, Manappuram and others.

Personal life
Puneeth married Ashwini Revanth, a Kannada film producer, on 1 December 1999. The couple had two daughters, Drithi and Vanditha. He was the younger brother of actors Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar and had two sisters, Lakshmi and Poornima. His listed hobbies included reading and travelling.

Later life and death
Puneeth Rajkumar passed away on 29 October 2021 at the age of 46 after suffering a cardiac arrest while exercising. He died en route to Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru. The announcement of his death prompted widespread condolences from fans, peers in the film industry and public figures.

Latest updates
Following his death, the Karnataka government announced that the actor would be honored posthumously with the state’s Karnataka Ratna award. Puneeth’s last on-screen appearance as an actor was in the 2021 film Yuvarathnaa.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Puneeth Rajkumar, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

Accuracy

Request a Correction

Tell us what needs to be updated and share a reliable source so the editorial team can review it.

Ownership

Claim This Profile

If this profile is about you or your client, send your contact details and verification context.

◈

Recent Work

Yuvarathnaa

Last film release in which Puneeth Rajkumar acted (2021).

2021
Kavaludaari

Kannada film produced by Puneeth Rajkumar (2019).

2019
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Started acting as an infant in Premada Kanike (1976)
  2. Won National Film Award for Best Child Artist for Bettada Hoovu (1985)
  3. Transitioned to lead roles with Appu (2002)
  4. Multiple state and Filmfare awards for performances including Arasu, Milana, Jackie, Hudugaru, Rana Vikrama and Raajakumara
  5. Hosted Kannadada Kotyadhipati (2012) and other TV shows
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

People Also Search For

Indian TV ActressesSingersBollywood ActorsSouth Indian ActorsCelebrities biographies
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Puneeth Rajkumar born?

Puneeth Rajkumar was born on 17 March 1975.

What is Puneeth Rajkumar known for?

Puneeth Rajkumar is known for actor, Singer, Film Producer.

What is Puneeth Rajkumar’s marital status?

Puneeth Rajkumar's marital status is listed as Married (at time of death).

Who is Puneeth Rajkumar married to?

Puneeth Rajkumar is publicly listed as married to Ashwini Revanth.