Ahead of Dr.Puneeth Rajkumar's first death anniversary, a look back at those moments when the late actor charmed viewers on Kannada television

Time flies and how? It's going to be a year since the Kannada film industry lost its Power Star, Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar. The actor passed away at the young age of 46 after suffering a massive heart attack the previous year and many are yet to come to terms that the actor's untimely demise. While everyone is currently remembering the star actor by watching him on the silver screen for one last time with the movie 'Gandada Gudi', the fact that Puneeth Rajkumar and his connection with Kannada television cannot be ignored. He was also a successful host on Kannada television and was equally active on the small screen Appu had managed to strike a chord not only with the audience but also with the participants in the reality show. Here is taking a look at times when the late actor charmed viewers on Kannada television

Puneeth, who was fondly known as Appu, made his small-screen debut as a host with the show 'Kannadada Kotyadhipati'. The reality show is modeled on the Hindi show Kaun Banega Crorepati, which in turn, was modeled on the British show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

Puneeth Rajkumar as a host managed to build a great rapport with the contestants. As a host, Puneeth would always encourage the contestants with his power-packed energy. Be it in reality shows like Kannadada Kotyadipathi or Family power, he would boost the competitive spirit of the contestants.

The actor's love for children is truly immense. Puneeth shared a very lively bond whenever young contestants were featured in his reality shows. He would never say 'NO' to any of their demands and fulfilled them wholeheartedly.

Amidst sharing all the fond memories connected with the power star, the beloved host of Kannada television had once helped a young boy with his show Family Power. The reality show which was aired in the year 2018 witnessed an unforgettable incident. The amount raised in the grand finale of the reality show 'Family Power' was used to implant Cochlear for special child Pracheth. This was indeed an initiative taken by the host himself. Celebs from the daily soaps of the channel airing the reality show participated in the grand finale. Team Radha Ramana emerged as the winner with a prize amount of nearly Rs 9 lakh which was then handed over to Pracheth's family members for the child's medical expenses.

Dance Karnataka Dance's Chaitrali Chillal is one of Puneeth Rajkumar's greatest fans. The specially-abled dancer always wished to shake a leg with her favorite star. She had even mentioned the same on the stage of the recently concluded Dance Karnataka Dance season 3. Having learned about Chaitrali's wish and talent, Puneeth Rajkumar made a surprising entry on the stage of Dance Karnataka Dance and met his young fan. He had even mentioned that he appeared on the reality show just to meet her. Puneeth praised Chaitrali's talent despite being a specially-abled young girl. He danced with her and even gave her an autograph in a specially embroidered handkerchief stitched by Chaitrali herself.

Not only with the contestants, but Puneeth also shared a bond with the crew members of the reality show he worked in. After the completion of the reality show, the host would personally hand over special gifts to the crew members. He would personally purchase the gifts for the entire crew members from his kitty and give those to them. Puneeth had even gifted small silver glasses to the entire team members.