<p>He is one of the most bankable actors of the Kannada film industry and even though his last outing, Parmathama, got a mixed response from the audience, Puneeth Rajkumar is not one to be bogged down. <br /><br /></p>.<p>He takes criticism in his stride and tries to improve with every film of his.<br /> “One can’t expect me to be perfect. After all, I have done only 17 movies as a solo hero,” he tells Metrolife. <br /><br />Even in those 17 movies, he has always aimed to give clean and meaningful family entertainers. Now, the ‘Power Star’ is all set to step into a whole new forte and nervousness is evident on his face. <br /><br />Taking on Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada version of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Puneeth says that he has big shoes to step into and that’s why he took a while before he could accept the offer. <br /><br />“I have idolised Amitabh Bachchan as a child and have great respect for him. So when I was approached for the show, I had to really feel confident about pulling <br />it off. But I trusted the team behind this and that gave me the confidence,” adds Puneeth. With the kind of fan base Puneeth has, it will be easy for the show to get participants. But how far will Puneeth be able to connect with the common man? <br /><br />“I think that’s one area I am the most comfortable with. I have always been in close contact with the public. <br /><br />I also have many friends who are not “celebrities” per se and more than anything else, I think I am a common man myself. So there is no issue,” he laughs.<br /><br />Having worked around his shooting dates, Puneeth feels that he will be able <br />to handle both movies and the show. Currently, working on Anna Bond with director <br />Suri, Puneeth is tight-lipped about his role in the movie. <br /><br />After the success of Jackie with the same director, all hopes are pinned on this <br />film as people hope this duo will work wonders again. <br /><br />“Expectations are huge but I trust Suri to give a good movie. For me, it has always been about the story and the director. Though I have a long list of directors to work with, so far I have liked Suri’s vision and working with him,” he adds. <br /><br />Ask him about the news of signing a film with well-known Tamil director Rathnavelu and he is quick to respond, “I was supposed to start work on the film. <br /><br />But due to some reason, the project was cancelled. We are in talks with a few other <br />directors and soon I will announce my next project.”<br /><br />Though Puneeth has proved that he is a bankable actor, he still feels he has a <br />lot to prove and showcase on screen. <br /><br />And as his fans will eagerly await for his small-screen appearance, critics will <br />surely compare him to Big B. “There can be no comparisons between me and Amitabh Bachchan. I am just going to try and follow his advice and be myself on the show. Hopefully people will like that,” he signs off.<br /><br /></p>
<p>He is one of the most bankable actors of the Kannada film industry and even though his last outing, Parmathama, got a mixed response from the audience, Puneeth Rajkumar is not one to be bogged down. <br /><br /></p>.<p>He takes criticism in his stride and tries to improve with every film of his.<br /> “One can’t expect me to be perfect. After all, I have done only 17 movies as a solo hero,” he tells Metrolife. <br /><br />Even in those 17 movies, he has always aimed to give clean and meaningful family entertainers. Now, the ‘Power Star’ is all set to step into a whole new forte and nervousness is evident on his face. <br /><br />Taking on Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada version of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Puneeth says that he has big shoes to step into and that’s why he took a while before he could accept the offer. <br /><br />“I have idolised Amitabh Bachchan as a child and have great respect for him. So when I was approached for the show, I had to really feel confident about pulling <br />it off. But I trusted the team behind this and that gave me the confidence,” adds Puneeth. With the kind of fan base Puneeth has, it will be easy for the show to get participants. But how far will Puneeth be able to connect with the common man? <br /><br />“I think that’s one area I am the most comfortable with. I have always been in close contact with the public. <br /><br />I also have many friends who are not “celebrities” per se and more than anything else, I think I am a common man myself. So there is no issue,” he laughs.<br /><br />Having worked around his shooting dates, Puneeth feels that he will be able <br />to handle both movies and the show. Currently, working on Anna Bond with director <br />Suri, Puneeth is tight-lipped about his role in the movie. <br /><br />After the success of Jackie with the same director, all hopes are pinned on this <br />film as people hope this duo will work wonders again. <br /><br />“Expectations are huge but I trust Suri to give a good movie. For me, it has always been about the story and the director. Though I have a long list of directors to work with, so far I have liked Suri’s vision and working with him,” he adds. <br /><br />Ask him about the news of signing a film with well-known Tamil director Rathnavelu and he is quick to respond, “I was supposed to start work on the film. <br /><br />But due to some reason, the project was cancelled. We are in talks with a few other <br />directors and soon I will announce my next project.”<br /><br />Though Puneeth has proved that he is a bankable actor, he still feels he has a <br />lot to prove and showcase on screen. <br /><br />And as his fans will eagerly await for his small-screen appearance, critics will <br />surely compare him to Big B. “There can be no comparisons between me and Amitabh Bachchan. I am just going to try and follow his advice and be myself on the show. Hopefully people will like that,” he signs off.<br /><br /></p>
