Puneeth Rajkumar Conferred Karnataka Ratna Award Posthumously, Rajinikanth, Junior NTR Attend The Event

Late Kannada actor Puneeth Raj Kumar was conferred with the 'Karnataka Ratna' award, the highest civilian award of the Government of Karnataka, on November 1 in Bengaluru. 

Puneeth Raj Kumar was conferred with the 'Karnataka Ratna' award

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New Delhi: Late Kannada actor Puneeth Raj Kumar was conferred with the 'Karnataka Ratna' award, the highest civilian award of the Government of Karnataka, on November 1 in Bengaluru.   

The actor is the ninth recipient of this prestigious honour that was granted to him on the occasion of the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava (the state formation day). The award was not given to anybody since 2009. It was last awarded to Dr. Virendra Heggade for social service in 2009.   

Cine actors Rajinikanth and Junior NTR flew to Bangalore especially to attend the event in which Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai conferred Karnataka Ratna on Puneeth Rajkumar. 

The event was held at Vidhana Soudha in a hurried manner, due to sudden rains. 

The Karnataka Ratna award consisting of a full silver plaque and a 50-gram gold medal, was received by the late actor's wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, in the presence of his actor brother Shivarajkumar and other family members. 

Earlier, while announcing the honour Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had said, "Puneeth Raj Kumar is a real Karnataka Ratna as he has remained in the hearts of people permanently through his achievements during his life. He must always be the source of inspiration for youths and for this purpose this award will be given to him posthumously."

On October 9, Puneeth’s last film Gandhada Gudi’s trailer was released. 'Gandhada Gudi' is a docudrama exploring the wildlife of Karnataka and is slated to release in cinemas on October 28, a day ahead of the actor's first death anniversary.     

Directed by Amoghavarsha, the docudrama features Puneeth and the filmmaker. The trailer shows breathtaking views of Karnataka, including underwater life, tribals, forests, streams, and lesser-known islands. The docudrama will release in Kannada, Hindi and English. 

Puneeth Rajkumar passed away on October 29, 2021, after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 46 years old.   

Puneeth's late father Rajkumar is among the first recipients of Karnataka Ratna award in 1992, along with noted poet Kuvempu.  

Puneeth, popularly known as 'Appu' and 'power star', by his fans, made his debut on screen when he was just six-months old and went on to win a national award as a child artiste for the film 'Bettada Hoovu'. He then re-emerged as a lead actor in 2002 and went on to star in 29 films, delivering some big hits. 

(With PTI inputs)