His elder brother, Shiva Rajkumar, is a popular actor. His father brought him and his sister Poornima to his film sets until he was ten years old. When Puneeth was six years old, his family moved to Mysore. Puneeth (then Lohit) was born in Chennai to the matinee idol Rajkumar and Parvathamma Rajkumar. In 2012, he debuted as a television presenter on the game show Kannadada Kotyadhipati, a Kannada version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He is one of the most famous celebrities and the highest-paid actors in the Kannada cinema. He has been dubbed by media and fans as "Powerstar". Puneeth's first lead role was in 2002's Appu. He also won Karnataka State Award Best Child artist for Chalisuva Modagalu and Yeradu Nakshatragalu.
He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role of Ramu in Bettada Hoovu. His performances in Vasantha Geetha (1980), Bhagyavantha (1981), Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983), Bhakta Prahaladha, Yarivanu and Bettada Hoovu (1985) were praised. He has been a lead actor in 29 films as a child, he appeared in many films. Puneeth Rajkumar (born 17 March 1975 ), colloquially known as Appu, is an Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter, and producer who works primarily in Kannada cinema.