ITV

Tag: Puneeth Rajkumar

  • Appu’s aura goes digital with launch of Puneeth Rajkumar Star Fandom app

    Appu’s aura goes digital with launch of Puneeth Rajkumar Star Fandom app

    MUMBAI: The Power Star has found a new stage, the digital kind. The late Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar’s infectious energy and enduring charisma now live on through pixels and code, as Star Fandom LLP unveils the Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Star Fandom App, a first-of-its-kind platform blending emotion, technology, and fandom.

    Conceptualised by Dr. Samartha Raghava Nagabhushanam, founder chairman of Star Fandom, in collaboration with Smt. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, the app was launched in the presence of deputy chief minister D. K. Shivakumar. The platform uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emotion mapping to let fans experience what technology rarely delivers connection with heart.

    “Star Fandom was envisioned to bring fans closer to the emotions and values their stars ignite within them,” said Dr. Nagabhushanam. “Puneeth Rajkumar’s aura continues to be the heartbeat of this initiative. With the app, we’ve harnessed AI to make that connection dynamic and personal.”

    The app is designed to unite over 70 million fans across the globe, serving as a digital meeting point for Kannadigas and cinema lovers. It reimagines fandom not as a one-way adoration but as a living, evolving relationship between fans and the legacy they love.

    Smt. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar described it as “a space to celebrate Puneeth, learn from his values, and keep his energy alive every day.”

    And there’s plenty within the app to keep the spirit of Appu alive:

    ● Podcasts – For the first time, Smt. Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar opens up about her journey with Puneeth and the legacy of the Rajkumar family. Hosted by Anushree, the series features friends, colleagues, and collaborators sharing unseen memories and heartfelt anecdotes.

    ● Chota Appu – A playful, inspiring corner for children filled with stories and rhymes inspired by Appu, nurturing creativity and kindness.

    ● Puneeth-Inspired Fitness – Guided workouts modelled on the Power Star’s discipline and positivity, letting fans train like their hero.

    ● Quizzes & Puzzles – Fun challenges celebrating Puneeth’s cinematic milestones and Sandalwood culture.

    ● Sandalwood Pulse – A news hub tracking everything from new releases to behind-the-scenes stories across Kannada cinema.

    ● Connect to Connect – A collaborative digital space bringing together fans, artists, and technicians to co-create and share ideas.

    ● Daily Vibes – Wallpapers, stickers, and personalised content that keep the Power Star’s infectious positivity glowing on every device.

    But this isn’t just a nostalgia app, it’s a tech-forward tribute that learns and evolves. With AI and emotion mapping, each interaction shapes a personalised journey, making the experience as unique as every fan’s connection to Puneeth.

    For Star Fandom LLP, founded to bridge the gap between celebrities and their audiences, the app is just the first step. “We see Star Fandom as a blueprint for a new digital era of engagement,” Dr. Nagabhushanam added. “An era where emotion, innovation, and community come together to create living, lasting connections that transcend generations.”

    Now available globally on Android and iOS, the Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Star Fandom App ensures that the Power Star’s light doesn’t just shine on screen, it glows in every fan’s palm.

     

  • SonyLIV acquires streaming rights to Puneeth Rajkumar’s ‘James’

    SonyLIV acquires streaming rights to Puneeth Rajkumar’s ‘James’

    Mumbai: SonyLIV has acquired rights to late actor Puneeth Rajkumar’s last film “James” which will begin streaming 14 April onwards. Apart from Kannada, the film will be streaming in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.

    The film will fortify SonyLIV’s regional library with the addition of Kannada language content.

    Puneeth Rajkumar was a prolific Kannada actor who enjoyed a pan-India appeal and was known for his films “Power” and “Yuvarathnaa”.

    Helmed and written by Chethan Kumar and produced by Kishore Pathikonda, James pairs Puneeth opposite Priya Anand. The film also stars Srikanth, Nawab Shah, Sarath Kumar, Tarak Ponnappa, John Kokken, Chikkanna, Shine Shetty, and Tilak, among others, with Puneeth’s brothers Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar appearing in cameos. Shivarajkumar also did the dubbing for his brother as he died before the commencement of the movie’s post-production.

    “It is an honour to be associated with James, which not only has gripping performances but is also a testament to the outstanding and multifaceted journey of Puneeth Rajkumar on celluloid,” said Sony Pictures Networks India head of content SonyLIV and SET Ashish Golwalkar.

    “He was a true genius, and we are proud to be able to bring his last feature film to his fans everywhere and help them connect with their beloved superstar. It will also boost our regional library, adding to our aim of bringing quality content that resonates with people from all parts of the country,” he added.

    “Directing Puneeth is a dream that only the fortunate can turn into a reality,” said director Chethan Kumar. “I consider myself extremely privileged to have gotten this opportunity. I had envisioned the film with Puneeth in mind, and it was an absolute honour to have him play James. By bringing the movie on SonyLIV, the platform is paying fitting tribute to the legendary personality that he was,” he added.

  • Kannada KBC to air on Colors Kannada starting 22 June

    Kannada KBC to air on Colors Kannada starting 22 June

    BENGALURU: Viacom18 has taken over where Star India left off – the Kannada version of Kaun Banega Crorepati – Kannadada Kotyadipathi or KK will start airing on Viacom18’s flagship Kannada GEC Colors Kannada and its HD counterpart Colors Kannada HD starting Saturday 22 June.

    It’s a strategic move as far as Viacom18’s Kannada entertainment cluster head Parameshwar Bhat is concerned – Colors Kannada has a strong lineup of programmes for the week. More often than not, more than half of the programmes in Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) list of top 5 Kannada programmes in Karnataka during primetime are aired on it. Besides, on most weeks, Colors Kannada is the most watched Kannada channel based on BARC weekly data.

    Bhat needed the weekend programming of his flagship channel to be strengthened – he asked for it and got the rights for KK for his channel when Star India forsake the show after a not very successful season in 2018. Colors will air 41 episodes, of which 4 have already been canned, for the clone that has been tweaked for local Kannada audiences of the globally popular Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Colors has tweaked the fourth season of KK a bit as compared to the previous editions – besides the changes that evolved with each season, the channel has brought back Kannada film icon Puneeth Rajkumar to host the show.

    Industry pundits peg the KK cost per episode at Rs 25 lakh or thereabouts. While not confirming the estimates, Bhat is confident that the show will be in the black. And he has his experience with Kannada Bigg Boss to back his confidence. “A property such as Kannadada Kotyadipathi attracts spot advertisers even during the day of the broadcast of the show,” he says. Bhat says that he is sure of them coming in, more so for the weekend, which incidentally, he feels is just an urban phenomenon. For rural folks all weekdays are the same, be they working days or weekends for the rest of the world. He has already roped in Wipro’s soap brand Santoor as presenting sponsor, Eastern Masala and detergent Rin as powered by sponsor and another soap brand – Chandrika Soap as special partner. His marketing is actively working out deals, he says.

    Colors has a 360-degree marketing plan to attract eyeballs for KK with touchpoints across on-ground, outdoor, radio, print, cross channel and digital. However, outdoor and billboard promos on the 500 to 600 Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses have been restricted to outside Bengaluru for now. Once the show starts Bhat plans to strategically release ads across media including print. Most of the creative work has been done in-house by the channel’s own teams.

    Company speak:

    Besides strengthening the weekend slot, there are other reasons for Colors doing the show. Here’s what Viacom18 Head of regional entertainment Ravish Kumar had to say via a press release: “The language content consumers have grown enormously over the years and though their tastes vary from region to region, they all converge at family game-show formats like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The universality of a quiz-show brings about cohesivity in viewing making it enjoyable and enhances captive engagement. Featuring real people and stories that showcase their aspiration and reason to win a substantial sum makes for a compelling content proposition.”

    Kumar further added, “Gauging the success of our previous two editions in different languages, we’re confident that Kannadada Kotyadipathi will certainly be well received by viewers as well as the advertisers on our channel, who rely on us to bring only the best of content to Kannada television.”

    Elaborating further, Bhat said, “Colors Kannada leads the roster in creating and presenting pathbreaking content for its viewers, and Kannada Kotyadipathi is yet another example of our commitment to be industry leaders. We’re luring audience to a form of entertainment that keeps them engaged as well as invested. While the format of the game remains unchanged, we’re scaling up the production and sprucing our treatment to make it more delightful for viewers across genres and milieu; and are also bringing back on board the indomitable superstar Puneeth Rajkumar who will multitask as a host, a friend and a guide.”

    KK is produced by Studio Next, the production house of Sony Pictures Networks. Studio Next holds the license of the format, for all Indian languages and has produced more than 1,800 episodes of the show across nine languages. The latest edition of KK will have an upgraded look and feel including an advanced set, claims a press release

    Studio Next head Indranil Chakraborty said, “We are extremely happy and privileged to bring the show to the people of Karnataka with their favourite host, Puneet Rajkumar and in the leading channel, Colors Kannada. We have maintained the same ethos of the show as in other languages, followed strict and transparent process for contestant selection and delivered production quality of the highest standards. Kannada Kothyadipathi will celebrate the great leveller of our society i.e. knowledge”.

  • Star Sports signs Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar & Diljit Dosanjh to push ProKabaddiLeague

    Star Sports signs Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar & Diljit Dosanjh to push ProKabaddiLeague

    MUMBAI: It has been quite evident since the launch of its in-house campaign #AsliPanga that Star Sports is going out guns blazing to promote the fourth leg of its flagship sports IP, Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).

    The three promo videos that the channel released last month quite frankly make fun of the currently popular tropes in Hindi GECs, and caricatures the showdowns in the prime time news channels and doesn’t spare the overly VFX-fied south Indian films.

    And when we thought the network couldn’t get more mass than this, with less than two days  for the tournament to go on air, the channel has roped in three major personalities as its brand ambassadors — Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar and Diljit Dosanjh.

    While Rana Daggubati of  ‘Bahubali’ fame is pleased to renew his association with the sport this season as well, Karnataka’s Puneeth Rajkumar, often touted as the region’s power star  is also all charged up to give a leg up to rustic sport as well.

    On the other hand,  Diljit Dosanjh-  singer, actor and television presenter from the Punjabi music industry who recently rose to fame with ‘Udta Punjab’ —  is also looking forward to witness many super raids, super tackles and other super moves of Kabaddi.

    In fact a promotional  music video starring Diljit Dosanjh and released on 21 June is already garnering massive eyeballs on social media courtesy his tremendous popularity in the north and now in the Hindi speaking regions of the rest of India as wel, following the Udta Punjab controversy. 

    Subsequently, the channel today released similar music videos featuring Rana Daggubati and Puneeth Rajkumar on 23  June.

    Speaking on its aggressive marketing strategy towards Star Sports Pro Kabaddi a Star India spokesperson said, “The first three seasons of the league saw an overwhelming response from TV viewers, stadium spectators and sports enthusiasts. There is a growing passion for the sport and this success helps us in our goal of encouraging sporting talent and nurturing heroes. Our brand ambassadors Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar and Diljit Dosanjh lend their bold, powerful image to Star Sports Pro Kabaddi and re-iterate the spirit of Kabaddi. The fact that Kabaddi is now the country’s second most viewed sport, second only to cricket, brings us great pride.”

    The fourth season is set to take place a couple of days from now –  25 June to 31 July  with the existing eight teams participating. It will be the first time for an Indian league to be held two times in the same year.

     “Unlike cricket and football, in the case of kabaddi, fans have limited opportunities to engage with the live sport. So, we decided to have the league twice a year,” said Star India sports president and head Nitin Kukreja. The reason: the channel has more faith in the IP, thanks to the year on year growth of the franchise. 

    As per ESP properties SportzPower report 2016, PKL has seen a whooping 300 percent growth, pushing its revenue to Rs 480 million in 2015, that too without a title sponsor.

    The league has attracted premium brands – State Bank of India, TVS Motor, Bajaj Electricals, Flipkart. It added Gionee Mobiles and Idea Cellular as associate sponsors and got three new commercial partners in the form of PepsiCo, Indo Nissin Foods and Fair & Lovely Men Facewash in Season 3. Not to mention, Force Motors has recently announced itself as the principal sponsor for the Puneri Paltans for Season 4.

  • Star Sports signs Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar & Diljit Dosanjh to push ProKabaddiLeague

    Star Sports signs Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar & Diljit Dosanjh to push ProKabaddiLeague

    MUMBAI: It has been quite evident since the launch of its in-house campaign #AsliPanga that Star Sports is going out guns blazing to promote the fourth leg of its flagship sports IP, Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).

    The three promo videos that the channel released last month quite frankly make fun of the currently popular tropes in Hindi GECs, and caricatures the showdowns in the prime time news channels and doesn’t spare the overly VFX-fied south Indian films.

    And when we thought the network couldn’t get more mass than this, with less than two days  for the tournament to go on air, the channel has roped in three major personalities as its brand ambassadors — Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar and Diljit Dosanjh.

    While Rana Daggubati of  ‘Bahubali’ fame is pleased to renew his association with the sport this season as well, Karnataka’s Puneeth Rajkumar, often touted as the region’s power star  is also all charged up to give a leg up to rustic sport as well.

    On the other hand,  Diljit Dosanjh-  singer, actor and television presenter from the Punjabi music industry who recently rose to fame with ‘Udta Punjab’ —  is also looking forward to witness many super raids, super tackles and other super moves of Kabaddi.

    In fact a promotional  music video starring Diljit Dosanjh and released on 21 June is already garnering massive eyeballs on social media courtesy his tremendous popularity in the north and now in the Hindi speaking regions of the rest of India as wel, following the Udta Punjab controversy. 

    Subsequently, the channel today released similar music videos featuring Rana Daggubati and Puneeth Rajkumar on 23  June.

    Speaking on its aggressive marketing strategy towards Star Sports Pro Kabaddi a Star India spokesperson said, “The first three seasons of the league saw an overwhelming response from TV viewers, stadium spectators and sports enthusiasts. There is a growing passion for the sport and this success helps us in our goal of encouraging sporting talent and nurturing heroes. Our brand ambassadors Rana Daggubati, Puneeth Rajkumar and Diljit Dosanjh lend their bold, powerful image to Star Sports Pro Kabaddi and re-iterate the spirit of Kabaddi. The fact that Kabaddi is now the country’s second most viewed sport, second only to cricket, brings us great pride.”

    The fourth season is set to take place a couple of days from now –  25 June to 31 July  with the existing eight teams participating. It will be the first time for an Indian league to be held two times in the same year.

     “Unlike cricket and football, in the case of kabaddi, fans have limited opportunities to engage with the live sport. So, we decided to have the league twice a year,” said Star India sports president and head Nitin Kukreja. The reason: the channel has more faith in the IP, thanks to the year on year growth of the franchise. 

    As per ESP properties SportzPower report 2016, PKL has seen a whooping 300 percent growth, pushing its revenue to Rs 480 million in 2015, that too without a title sponsor.

    The league has attracted premium brands – State Bank of India, TVS Motor, Bajaj Electricals, Flipkart. It added Gionee Mobiles and Idea Cellular as associate sponsors and got three new commercial partners in the form of PepsiCo, Indo Nissin Foods and Fair & Lovely Men Facewash in Season 3. Not to mention, Force Motors has recently announced itself as the principal sponsor for the Puneri Paltans for Season 4.

  • 7UP to launch reality show on Udaya TV

    7UP to launch reality show on Udaya TV

    MUMBAI: Taking a step towards advertiser funded programming (AFP), PepsiCo India’s brand 7UP is all set to launch a six-week reality show titled 7UP UPstarters, which will feature original talent from South India.

     

    Featuring budding dancers, singers and actors, the first episode of 7UP UPstarters will premiere on 7 June on Udaya TV at 5.30 pm.

     

    The contest saw huge participation from aspiring singers, dancers and actors during the on-ground auditions across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and through a unique wild-card system on Facebook.

     

    With talent including brake-dancers, classical singers, beat-boxers and acting enthusiasts among others, seven teams will fight to finish through a series of week-on-week performances. The winning 7-member team will win a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh.

     

    The grand-finale of the six-part series will be judged by actors and 7UP brand ambassadors Dhanush and Puneeth Rajkumar.

     

    PepsiCo India senior director marketing, social beverages Ruchira Jaitly said, “7UP UPstarters is not just another reality show but a search for the next generation of original, authentic talent from Karnataka. The entire journey from audition to the finale has been packaged into six action-packed episodes to bring viewers closer to the actual experience of each contestant.”

  • Suvarana launches three new shows to replace Kannada KBC

    Suvarana launches three new shows to replace Kannada KBC

    BENGALURU: The second season of the Kannada version of the Who wants to be a Millionaire – Kannadada Kotyadhipathi (KK) which catapulted Star Network's Kannada GEC offering Suvarna to numero uno in the Kannada ratings race ended on July 25.

    Hosted by one of the top actors from Sandalwood, Puneeth Rajkumar, KK ran every night Monday to Thursday for 90 minutes on prime time between 8pm and 9.30pm. Throughout this week the grand finale of Suvarna Super Jodi (SSJ) is being aired during this slot. SSJ's run will end Sunday, 4 August. SSJ was aired three days a week, Friday to Sunday between 8pm and 9.30 pm.

    Early this week, Suvarna announced the launch of three new 30 minute daily soaps which will run six days a week, Monday to Saturday starting 5 August. The shows which will replace KK and SSJ are Priyadarshini, Milana and Aragini, at the 8.00pm; 8.30pm and 9.00pm slots respectively. The channel plans to air movies on Sundays' for a couple of weeks during this slot before announcing a new weekly property.

    Suvarna business head Anup Chandrashekaran said, "These three shows are very different from each other. They have a strong story line and narration. I am sure that our viewers are going to enjoy them. All the three shows appeal to the mass audiences and cater to the entire family. Suvarna as a brand has built a strong loyal viewer base. Our current fiction offerings have made us the leader in weekday prime time, with the launch of these three shows we intend to maintain this leadership and further strengthen our position in the KGE market."

    The channel says that almost the entire inventory of spots for all the three shows has already been sold out. Suvrana's head of marketing and research Anil Narang said to www.indiantelevision.com ,"Spots generally are fully booked, and with the limit on ad spots, we have had to say no to advertisers and agencies often. We are planning a major outdoor campaign with over 100 hoardings across the state. Radio, print and magazines have also been planned."
    An emotional drama Milana is revolves
    around three characters

    Promos for the three shows began airing on Suvarna and the recently launched Kananda GEC Suvarna Plus. Outdoor and press conferences across cities in Karnataka, as well purchase of spots on radio stations are a part of the campaign to attract more eyeballs for the three soaps. Suvarna has purchased spots on Radio City in Bengaluru and on Red FM across the state.

    The channel has roped in an all new cast for each of the three shows, two of which are being directed by Ravi R Garani. Milana will be directed by R Madhusudhan.
    Priyadarshini is a story of two sisters (Kavya and Anjali). Anjali, a soft natured girl falls in love with a haughty Gaurav. Kavya, a boisterous girl falls in love with the ever courteous Gautham. A joint family which has been split from many years comes together because of these four characters.

    Suvarna says that the USP of the show is its lively and crisp narration. Its high emotional drama narrated with light humour is to attract youngsters and homemakers alike. Produced by Garani, the cast is Goutham – Gururaj V; Gaurav – Ajay; Kavya – Shwetha; Anjali – Amrutha S.

     

     

     

    Priyadarshini is a story of two sisters who bring their families together

    Aragini is a love – hate relationship between Sidharth Patil, an arrogant business tycoon and Khushi, a bubbly young girl from Bijapur. A series of unexpected incidents in their lives brings them together. The tussle between these contrasting characters forms the crux of the story. Directed by Garani, the cast includes Sidharth Patil played by Harish and Khushi played by Meghana.

    Milana is a story within the mind. It is an emotional drama woven by the three characters – Samarth, a successful corporate who has lived all his life as per his parents' instructions. He is highly ambitious and is looking to break-free from the clutches of his strict parents. Prarthana is a simple girl from a small town in Shimoga. She believes in small happiness and wishes for a happy family life. When Samarth's marriage is planned with Prarthana, he meets Aishwarya who is daughter of the maid in Prarthana's house. Aishwarya is an opportunist and desires all the happiness in the world. The love-triangle between these three characters forms the crux of the story. Directed by R Madhusudhan, the cast includes Samarth – Prashanth; Prarthana – Vinutha and Aishwarya – Pratula.

    The channel has canned about 10 episodes of each of the serials. "We plan for 70-80 episodes of a show at least, and we generally have a buffer of two weeks -12 episode bank in hand," revealed Narang.