Puneeth Rajkumar fans celebrate at Appu film re release at Veeresh film theatre in Bengaluru on Friday, 14th March 2025.
Credit: DH Photo/ S K Dinesh
A remastered version of Puneeth Rajkumar’s 2002 film ‘Appu’ treated his fans to a nostalgic morning on Friday. The film was re-released in theatres across Karnataka to mark the actor’s 50th birth anniversary. He was born on March 17, 1975.
Showtime visited Veeresh Theatre on Magadi Road in Bengaluru to witness the celebrations. The morning shows — 6.30 am and 10.15 am — were houseful.
As anticipated, fans arrived as early as 5 am; a festive atmosphere dawned upon the single-screen theatre. They cheered and hooted in excitement for their favourite star.
Fans from Bangarapet, Chikkamagaluru, Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad were present. A young fan, Narayana, who had come all the way from Karapa in Andhra Pradesh said, “I have been a huge fan of Puneeth Rajkumar since I was little and I wanted to watch this movie to remember him.”
Kannada actor Chethan Kumar was one among the many actors who attended the screening. Speaking to the media, he said, “I love Appu and watching the film made me nostalgic.”
Puneeth’s films explored family sentiments. Vijaya, a middle-aged woman shared that she loved the mother-son dynamic in his film ‘Maurya’ (2004). She hasn’t missed watching a single film of the actor. Rakshita, the female lead in the film was also present. Other celebrities included YouTuber Namratha Gowda and actors Kishan Bilagali, Rakshak Sena, and Karthik Mahesh.
A large cut-out of the actor adorned the theatre complex and excited fans who sported t-shirts with Puneeth’s face and the Karnataka flag, lit fireworks. A fan exclaimed, “Even new releases don’t get such reception. A 20-year-old film has been able to garner a houseful.” Puneeth died of heartattack on October 29, 2021.