South stars Rajinikanth and Jr NTR joined Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday at a function honoring late Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar with the Karnataka Ratna award posthumously. The occasion was the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava.
The award ceremony took place on the steps of Vidhana Souda, and Chief Minister Bommai uploaded a video of himself sharing the stage with Rajinikanth and Jr NTR. Despite the severe rain, a sizable crowd attended the award presentation.
Jr NTR wore a white shirt and black pants, while Rajinikanth wore a basic white kurta pyjama. The Chief Minister had previously stated that the state government has planned to honor Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar with the 'Karnataka Ratna' award on November 1.
"A committee would be formed to prepare for the award presentation ceremony. Members of Dr. Rajkumar's family would also be included as committee members. We all together will present the award posthumously to Puneeth in a highly dignified manner," Bommai had told the media.
On the first anniversary of Puneeth Rajkumar's death, the Chief Minister also paid heartfelt tributes to him. "His death has left a deep void in Kannada cinema. A multi-faceted personality, he was a wonderful actor, playback singer, television presenter & producer. In our hearts forever, Appu!" he stated in a tweet.
Only nine times has the coveted honor been bestowed. Dr. Virendra Heggade received the Karnataka Ratna in 2009 for his social contribution. Apart from him, Puneeth's father, Dr. Rajkumar, received the state's highest civilian honor in 1992 for his efforts in the entertainment business.
Puneeth Rajkumar died on October 29, 2016, at the age of 46, after a heart attack. He was an actor, playback singer, television presenter, and producer who went by the moniker Appu.
