Puneeth Rajkumar was one of the most loved actors in the South Industry but unfortunately, the actor was short-lived. On Tuesday, Karnataka's highest civilian award, the 'Karnataka Ratna', was conferred posthumously on late actor Puneeth Rajkumar on the occasion of the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava (the state formation day). Puneeth is the ninth recipient of this prestigious honour. The event was held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. 

Actor Rajinikanth and Jr NTR presided over the event as chief guests along with Karnataka chief minister. In the event, Rajinikanth remembered Puneeth as ‘God’s child’. “In Kali Yuga, Appu (Puneeth) is like Markandeya, Prahlada, Nachiketa.  Rajinikanth said,  “He was God’s child. That child lived among us for some time. He played with us and made us laugh. Later, that child went back to God. His aatma (soul) is with us”.

Rajinikanth also explains why he was not able to attend Puneeth’s Funeral. He said he was informed about Puneeth’suntimely death three days later, owing to his health condition around the same time. “I had undergone an operation and was in the intensive care unit (ICU).” He added that even if he had known about his death, he wouldn’t have been in a position to travel due to his health.

Rajinikanth recalled the time when he met Puneeth for the first time in 1979, when he was only four years old. “That four-year-old is still etched in my mind. Lakhs of people came to pay their respects to Appu after he died. Why did they come? They came because of his great character,” 

Puneeth Rajkummar, 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. Gandhada Gudi which marked Puneeth’s last silver screen appearance hit the big screens on October 28. Puneeth died at the age of 46 due to cardiac arrest last October. His wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar received the award, comprising a full silver plaque and a 50-gram gold medal, in the presence of his family members.

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