The Karnataka Television Association has planned a tribute event for late actor Puneeth Rajkumar. Named ‘Appu Amara’, the event will be held on Sunday at HN Kalakshetra Auditorium in Bengaluru. Television actors, directors, producers, and technicians will take part in the programme.
Speaking to Silverscreen India, Shivakumar, president of the Karnataka Television Association, said, “This is an event dedicated to highlighting the glorious legacy that Appu [Puneeth] has left behind. TV shootings will be halted on Sunday on account of this event and all members of the industry will be participating. The actor’s family members, including his brothers Shiva Rajkumar and Ragavendra Rajkumar, will also take part in the event.”
He added that the heads of all entertainment channels will be present and the association will be inviting Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai as well.
“Appu was a great human being known for his art and social service. He did a lot of good deeds. And it is important for us to carry on his legacy and the good memories that he has given to us,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking about Puneeth’s association with the television industry, Shivakumar said though he was a film artist, the late actor had a strong connection with television as well. “He produced several Kannada serials for almost all Kannada TV channels. Apart from that, he also hosted the show Kannadada Kotyadipathi. He attended several award shows and events hosted by the TV channels too.”
On November 16, a homage event titled ‘Puneeth Namana’ was jointly organised by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and various film associations, including those of producers, distributors, exhibitors, camerapersons, artists, and film workers. During the event, Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai announced that the late actor would be posthumously honoured with the Karnataka Ratna Award, the state’s highest civilian honour.
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Puneeth, popularly known as ‘Power Star’ in the Kannada film industry, died of cardiac arrest on October 29. The 46-year-old actor was rushed to Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru after he complained of chest pain, but was declared unresponsive when he was brought to the emergency department.
The actor’s last rites were conducted with State honours at Sree Kanteerava Studios in Bengaluru on October 31, with several thousand fans paying their respects. The late actor was laid to rest where his father, the legendary actor Rajkumar, and mother Parvathamma Rajkumar were buried. Puneeth’s eyes were donated after his demise just as his father’s were.