Mysore University to give posthumous honorary doctorate to Puneeth Rajkumar
Late Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Mysore. It will be given at the 102nd convocation of the varsity to be held on March 22. His wife Ashwini will be receiving the same, confirmed the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor G. Hemantha Kumar. To recall, Rajkumar passed away last year in October due to heart attack.
Here's what the V-C said
"Puneeth Rajkumar got the National Award at the age of seven. His contribution to cinema was remarkable. He was actively involved in charity work," the V-C said. "He was a big strength for Mysuru's Shakti Dhama that was set up by his family for the rehabilitation and development of women. All these factors encouraged us to consider his name for the honor," he added.
Actor not the only one receiving award this year
"We are conferring three honorary doctorates this year, including one posthumously," the V-C further mentioned. Apart from Rajkumar, the other two recipients of the award this year are defence scientist Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre and folk musician M. Mahadevaswamy. Interestingly, Rajkumar's father, noted actor Dr. Rajkumar was also bestowed upon the same honor 46 years ago in 1976. Dr. Rajkumar was 46 at that time.
Rajkumar to receive Karnataka Ratna too
In November last year, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that Puneeth Rajkumar will be given the state's highest civilian state honor: Karnataka Ratna. Notably, the actor is the 10th recipient of the award. Like the honorary doctorate, Puneeth Rajkumar's father has received this award as well. Karnataka Ratna was last given in 2009 to Dr. Virendra Heggade for his social service.
His first release after demise hitting theaters this Thursday
Meanwhile, James, Rajkumar's first posthumous film will be released on his birthday on March 17. The action entertainer, directed by Chethan Kumar, also stars Priya Anand, Meka Srikanth, and Anu Prabhakar Mukherjee in pivotal roles. Rajkumar is likely to play an armed officer as per promotional releases. Charan Raj is helming the music with PRK Audio (Rajkumar's home banner) supporting the music production.
