The word Vamshi (te: వంశీ) literally means bamboo flute. It is born from the sanskrit work Vamsh which means bamboo.

Lord Krishna is also known as Vamshi Krishna as he was described in various ancient scriptures as Bhagavata as playing bamboo flute.

Vamshi is a popular name in India.

Puneeth Rajkumar
Born	(1975-03-17) March 17, 1975 (age 37) Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Other names	Power Star, Appu, Lohith
Occupation	Actor, Singer
Years active	1975–present
Spouse	Ashwini Revanath
Children	Drithi Vanditha
Parents	Rajkumar, Parvathamma Rajkumar

Puneeth Rajkumar (born March 17, 1975) is an Indian film actor who acts in Kannada films and the youngest son of Kannada superstar Dr Rajkumar and the younger brother of leading KFI star Shivaraj Kumar. As a child artist, he appeared in 12 films. He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for the film Bettada Hoovu in 1986.^[1]

After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Puneeth rajkumar made his film debut in a leading role in Appu. The film was a huge hit. He has been noted for his performances in films like Abhi(2003 film), Aakash (2005), Arasu (2007), Milana (2007), Vamshi (2008), Raam (2009), Jackie (2010) and Paramathma (2011) which are his biggest commercial successes so far.He is currently the highest paid actor in Kannada Film Industry at 5.75 crores per movie.His latest movie Annabond has shattered all records by any other actor in kannada cinema industry.The success rate of his movie career is above 90%.

In 2007, he got a Filmfare award for his performance in Arasu^[2] and in 2008 he received a Karnataka State Best Actor Award^[3] for his performance in Milana.

Currently he is the highest paid actor in the Kannada Film Industry.^[4][5] He has the most commercially successful movie hit rate with all of his movies netting huge profit. He has 17 films in a row that have stayed in theatres for minimum of 100 days, a rare achievement in the Indian film industry.^[6] He hosts the quiz show Kannadada kotyadhipati which is modeled on the Hindi show Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, which was in turn modeled on the British show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? hosted by Chris Tarrant.^[7]

Biography[link]

Puneeth Rajkumar was born as Lohith to Kannada Film Industry Matinee Idol Dr Rajkumar^[8] and producer Parvathamma Rajkumar. He is their fifth and youngest child.

He started his film career when he was six months old in Premada Kanike^[9] and also appeared in Sanadi Appanna^[10] when he was one year old. He appeared as a son for his real father in many movies such as yarivanu,vasantha geetha and so on . He left school at a very early age and began to act in movies. He studied with a private teacher at his home and later received a Diploma in Computer Science. He then started his career in a mining business before entering the film industry in leading roles. He was trained in dancing and fighting for three years before his first film as a hero. Puneeth has had training in Kalarippayattu, one of the oldest Indian Martial arts.

Debut as an actor[link]

His acting career really started with the movie Vasantha Geetha, where he performed well when he was 5 years old.^{[citation needed]} Following this movie he worked in a few more popular movies between 1980 to 1984. In 1985 he worked on Bettada Hoovu and was honored with a National Film Award for Best Child Artist.^[11]

Child artist (Mostly as Lohith)[link]

His initial name was Lohit. Later the name was changed to Puneeth Rajkumar. A lot of people in Karnataka still know him by "APPU" ^[12] As a child artist he appeared in 12 movies: 'Premada Kanike' (6 month-old child), 'Sanadi Appanna' (1 year-old child), 'Vasantha Geetha', Bhagyavantha, Hosa Belaku, Chalisuva modagalu, Bhaktha prahlaada, Eradu nakshatragalu, Bettada hoovu, Yaarivanu, Shiva Mechchida Kannappa and Parashuram.He costared his father in 11 out of 12 movies.

Lead roles[link]

After his performances in movies as a child artist, he re-entered the film industry in 2002 as the protagonist of the movie Appu which was remade in Telugu as Idiot and in Tamil as Dum in subsequent years under the direction of Puri Jaganath who directed his brother Shivaraj kumar in the movie Yuvaraja. He received awards for the films Arasu and Milana. For the role he played in Arasuand Raj-The Showman movie, he got a Film Fare Best actor award and received Karnataka State Best Actor award for Milana. The latter successfully ran for 50 days in over 137 centres in Karnataka, and 100 days in 50 centres.^[13] It completed a record 1 year run in PVR Cinemas, Bengaluru in September 2008.

In 2009, he starred in Raaj-The Showman which got mixed reviews from critics . His other movie that year, Raam succeeded at the box office.^[14] In 2010, Prithvi was released and completed 75 days run.^[15] The movie got critical appreciation for its bold portrayal of ongoing politics in Karnataka.^[16][17] He won accolades from both critics and audiences for his role in the 2010 blockbuster movie Jackie where he played a character that's rustic and local, yet charming and suave.^[18][19]

He acted in 3movies in the year 2011, including Hudugaru, which was a multi-starrer.^[20] The other 2 included Paramathma^[21] under the direction of director Yograj Bhat. followed by Anna Bond to be directed by Soori.^[22],the hit director who had directed him in Jackie. Anna Bond is scheduled for release on 1st May 2012

Singing career[link]

Apart from acting Puneeth has also had a singing career. He has sung since his childhood in all his movies as a child artist, when he entered as a male lead he also began singing at least one song in all his films.

It is usual for music directors of his movies to record a song in his voice, as most of his songs have mass appeal. From his first movie Appu, he was using his voice for solo songs mostly. With the song Jothe Jotheyali from the movie Vamshi he sang duets too which became a hit song of 2008.^[23] In 2010 he sang another fast-number in his hit movie Jackie after which he rendered voice to his brother Shivrajkumar's film titled "lava kusha" and Mylari.^[24] Now Puneeth has given voice for Golden Star Ganesh movie Shyloo.

Other Interests[link]

Before entering the film industry, he was actively involved in a Home Banner Vajreshwari Combines' film distribution job in Karnataka, this still continues. He produced some of the movies made for their brothers Shivaraj Kumar as well as Raghavendra Rajkumar. Two TV serials were also produced by him.

In the movie Akasmika he designed the costumes of Rajkumar.

Puneeth has knowledge of SteadiCam which is used in films to shoot scenes like stunts and car chases. Learning about new brand cameras and high definition lenses to movies is probably his favorite hobby.

As per the wishes of his father Rajkumar, he along with his brothers and family have built a hotel in Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru called Dr. Raj International.^[25]

Puneeth involves himself in philanthropic works with his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar and carries this out in an Ashram called Shakti Dhama in Mysooru.^[26]

Brand endorsement[link]

He is the brand ambassador for fSquare, Malabar Gold,^[27] Manappuram ^[28] and for a dance show called "DHEE". Also his decision to be brand ambassador for state-owned Karnataka Milk Federation without any remuneration for its product "Nandini", has been praised by media and fans.^[29][30] Decades ago his father Dr Rajkumar also became the brand ambassador for "Nandini" milk products without taking remuneration, which had helped KMF products to increase sales in the Karnataka State and outside too.^[31]

He is now the brand ambassador of Royal Challengers Bangalore, an IPL team.^[32] He has replaced Upendra, who was the brand ambassador of the team in 2008 and 2009.

Filmography[link]

As a child artist[link]

Leading role[link]

TV shows[link]

Personal life[link]

He married Ashwini Revanath at the age of 24 and they have two daughters Drithi and Vandhita.^[11]

Awards and honours[link]

National awards[link]

• National Film Award for Best Child Artist - Bettada Hoovu - 1986 ^[36]

State awards[link]

• Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor - Milana - 2008
• Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor - Prithvi - 2010

Filmfare awards[link]

• Filmfare Best Actor Award - Arasu - 2006 ^[37]

Other awards[link]

• AKKA Best Actor Award for the movie Raam
• Suvarna channel movie awards - Best actor for the movie "Jackie" - 2010
• Vivel best actor Udaya Film Awards for the movie jackie-2010
• Best actor south scope award for the movie-"Raj -the showman"-2009

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References[link]