Mumbai Jan 26 PTI Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar who died in October last year will be seen in the role of a soldier in his swansong JamesThe late actors elder brother Shiva Rajkumar on Wednesday unveiled the first look of the film on the occasion of Indias 73rd Republic DayTaking to Twitter Shiva Rajkumar shared the poster of Puneeths movie James and wrote Appu as James Happy Republic Day to all Puneeth Rajkumar who was popularly known as Powerstar for his strong performance in a number of commercially-successful Kannada films passed away at the age of 46 after suffering a cardiac arrest in October 2021James is written and directed by Chethan KumarThe movie also stars Anu Prabhakar Srikanth R Sarathkumar Tilak Shekar and Mukesh Rishi among othersAccording to media reports the film is set to release on March 17 coinciding with Puneeth Rajkumars birth anniversaryThe Kannada stars last big screen release was action-thriller Yuvarathnaa in April 2021Meanwhile streaming service Prime Video recently announced that they would release three of Puneeths home production films -- Man of the Match One Cut Two Cut and Family Pack -- directly on their platform PTI KKP RB RB

Mumbai Jan 21 PTI Prime Video on Friday announced that late film star Puneeth Rajkumars three home production films -- Man of the Match One Cut Two Cut and Family Pack -- will premiere on its platformFondly known as Appu the Kannada superstar passed away at the age of 46 after suffering a cardiac arrest in October 2021All the three films -- Man of the Match One Cut Two Cut and Family Pack -- are made under the banner of PRK ProductionsMan of the Match helmed by Rama Rama Re director D Satya Prakash stars K Jayaram Dharmanna Kadur Nataraj among othersOne Cut Two Cut is a comedy-entertainer and features Danish Sait Prakash Belavadi and Samyukta Hornad It is directed by Vamsidhar BhogarajuA romantic-comedy Family Pack is directed by Arjun Kumar It stars Likith Shetty and Amrutha IyengarBesides the three films Prime Video will also make five of Rajkumars most memorable movies available for free for non-Prime members for one-month starting February 1 the streaming service said in a statementThe five movies are Law 2020 French Biryani 2020 Kavaludaari 2019 Mayabazaar 2020 and Yuvarathnaa 2021Talking about the association with PRK Productions Manish Menghani Head Content Licensing Amazon Prime Video said they are happy to present fun relatable and engaging stories that were backed by RajkumarThis collaboration is our effort to pay a humble tribute to the creative excellence of latePuneeth Rajkumar and his unique vision of storytellingHis contribution to cinema is immense and we are sure these films will offer an immersive experience to his fans and admirers in India and beyond Menghani saidAshwini Puneeth Rajkumar producer and wife of the late superstar said she is happy to collaborate with Prime Video in bringing these stories to the audiencePuneeth Rajkumars distinct vision for cinema fascinated audiences for years earning him the massive fan following and honour he so rightly deserved It now remains our endeavour to carry that legacy forward We are happy to continue our successful association with Prime Video and take our films to viewers world over Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar said PTI KKP RB RB

Bengaluru Oct 30 PTI As thousands of grieving fans continue to flock the Kanteerava stadium here on Saturday to pay their final respects to Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the last rites of the actor will be performed on October 31 The late actors family and the government had earlier planned to perform the last rites this evening once his daughter who is in the US reaches the city Puneeths daughter has reached Delhi and is travelling to Bengaluru and may reach the city by about 6 pm Secondly there is lot of crowd here Kanteerava Stadium and many people wish to see him for one last time also after 6pm when it will be dark it will be difficult to perform last rites there Kanteerava studio Bommai said Speaking to reporters here he said keeping all this in mind and after discussing with Puneeths elder brothers Shivarajkumar Raghavendra Rajkumar and other family members it has been decided to conduct the last rites tomorrow So we have made an opportunity for more people to pay their last respects till tomorrow morning I appeal to his Puneeths fans to pay their last respects with patience and by maintaining peace as there is time till tomorrow morning he said Considered as the Kannada cinemas reigning star Puneeth youngest of the five children of thespian and matinee idol Dr Rajkumar passed away at the age of 46 after suffering a cardiac arrest on Friday Requesting fans to cooperate with police as there is enough time the CM said Police personnel are here for us and to see to it that things go on in a disciplined way they too are our people and are fans of Puneeth Everyone should cooperate in maintaining peace and order timing of the last rites will be decided late night depending on the situation and will be informed he added Puneeths elder brother and actor Raghavendra Rajkumar too thanking fans for cooperation so far clarified that last rites will be during the first half tomorrow As Appus as Puneeth is fondly called by fans elder daughter was in New York for studies there is some delay in her arrival As the last rites cannot be performed after dark we will decide on the timing of the last rites tomorrow late in the night today once she arrives We are aware that you fans are also in pain he said The state government has made arrangements for all Puneeths fans to pay homage he further said as he sought their cooperation until the last rites tomorrow Mortal remains of the actor wrapped in the national tri-colour have been kept at the Kanteerava stadium to enable fans and well-wishers to pay tributes A steady stream of people from across the state have been pouring into the arena since last evening Several film and political personalities have paid their respects to the departed soul Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accompanied by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other ministers of the state cabinet Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah former CM S M Krishna pontiffs of various mutts paid their respects todayLeading South Indian film stars such as N Balakrishna Chiranjeevi Junior NTR Venkatesh Arjun Sarja and ace choreographer Prabhu Deva also paid their tributes to the Kannada actor The feeling is like losing a son of our house a tearful elderly woman fan said here Our Appu might have physically gone but he will remain with us through his acting and the impact he has left on us because of his good and friendly nature said a young fan The government has announced that Puneeths last rites will be conducted with state honours at Dr Rajkumar Punyabhoomi in Kanteerava Studio next to his father and mother According to official sources the mortal remains will be taken in a procession for about 13 km from Kanteerava stadium to Kanteerava studio The late actor is survived by wife Ashwini Revanth and daughters Drithi and Vanditha The CMs repeated appeal for peace comes in the backdrop of the large-scale violence that took place in the city following the death of Puneeths father Dr Rajkumar in 2006 PTI KSU ROH ROH