Puneet Rajkumar ( Kannada : ಪುನೀತ್ ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ್ )(born 1975) is an Indian film actor who acts in Kannada films and the youngest son of legendary Kannada superstar Dr Rajkumar and the younger brother of leading KFI star Shivaraj Kumar. As a child artist, he appeared in 12 films. He has won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for the film Bettada Hoovu in 1986.

After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Puneet rajkumar made his film debut in a leading role in Appu(2002). The film was a huge hit. He has been noted for his performances in films like Akash (2005), Arasu (2007), Milana (2007) and Vamshi (2008) which are also his biggest commercial successes so far.

In 2007, he got Filmfare award for his performance in Arasu and In 2008 he got Karnataka State Best Actor Award for his performance in Milana.

Currently he is the highest paid Actor in Kannada Film Industry. He is maintaining most successful commercially hit movies percentages, and has 12 movies in a row in his credit to have crossed 100 days in theaters.

== Biography ==
Puneet Rajkumar was born as Lohith to Kannada Film Industry superstar [[Dr Rajkumar]] and producer Parvathamma Rajkumar. He is the fifth child of his parents.

He started his film career when he was at six months old (Movie:Premada Kanike).
He appeared as son for his real father in many movies. He left the school in the very early age and began to act in movies. However he was studying with a private teacher at his home. Later he has got a diploma in computer science. He then started his career in mining business before entering the film industry in leading roles. He has trained in dance and fights for three years before his first film as hero.

Puneet has also got training of [[Kalarippayattu]], one of the oldest Indian [[Martial arts]] before entering Film land.

=== Acting career ===
His actual acting career was started with the movie Vasantha Geetha, where he has performed well when he was 5 years old. Following this movie he has worked in few more popular movies between 1980 to 1984. In 1985 he has worked in "Bettada hoovu" and got [[National Film Award for Best Child Artist]].

==== Child Artist ====
As child artist he has appeared in 12 movies. Vasantha Geetha, Bhagyavantha, Hosa belaku, Chalisuva modagalu, Bhaktha prahlaada, Eradu nakshatragalu, Bettada hoovu, Yaarivanu, Shiva mechchida kannappa, Parashuram and Sanadi Appanna these are the 12 movies he has acted as child artist. For the performance in "Bettada hoovu" film he has got National film award for best child artist.

==== Lead roles ====
In 2002 he has re-entered the film industry as hero from [[Appu]] movie. It was a blockbuster movie in kannada film industry. After then he has acted in many successful movies. Arasu and Milana movies have given him awards. For the role he played in Arasu movie, he got Film Fare Best actor award and in Milana movie he got Karnataka State Best Actor Award. Milana movie successfully ran for 50 days in 37 centres in [[Karnataka]], and 100 days in 5 centres[http://sify.com/movies/kannada/fullstory.php?id=14555832&cid=13319495]. It completed a record 1 year run in PVR Cinemas, Bangalore in September 2008.

=== Singing career ===
Apart from acting Puneet has excelled in Singing category too. Since he was singing ever since childhood in all his movies as a child artist, when he entered as Hero also he began singing at least one song in his movies.

It is practiced to Music Directors of his movies to record a song in his voice, as most of his songs have mass appeal. Right from his first Movie Appu, he was rendering his voice for solo songs mostly. With the song Jothe Jotheyali from the movie Vamshi he rendered voice for Duets too which eventually became a hit song of 2008...

== Extra Activities ==
Before entering film land, he was actively involved in their Home Banner Vajreshwari Combines' film distribution job all over Karnataka, this still continues even now. Also produced some of movies being made for their brothers [[Shivaraj Kumar]] as well as [[Raghavendra Rajkumar]]. Besides, a couple of TV Serials too were produced by him.

In the movie Akasmika he also designed costumes of [[Dr Rajkumar]].

Puneet has immense knowledge of [[SteadiCam]] that are used in films to shot most accurate scenes like stunts and chasings, since his teenage. Study of new brand cameras and high definition lenses to movies is probably his favorite hobby that is unknown to many.

As per wishes of his father [[Dr Rajkumar]], he along with his brothers and family support has built a hotel in Gandhi Nagar, [[Bangalore]] called Dr.Raj International.

Puneet involves himself in philanthropic works with his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar that's being carried out in an Ashram called Shakti Dhama in Mysore.