Fans of Kannada cinema were in for a heart-stopping moment when the teaser for Zee5’s upcoming web series Maarigallu dropped. The series, which explores the history of Karnataka’s first royal dynasty,
the Kadambas, surprised viewers in a very special way. In a first-of-its-kind tribute, the late Sandalwood superstar Puneeth Rajkumar appeared in the teaser through AI technology, portraying Emperor Mayuravarma. The sight of Puneeth, lovingly called Appu by his fans, brought back memories of his larger-than-life presence on screen. For many, seeing him “alive” again, even digitally, was both emotional and nostalgic.
A royal introduction to the Kadambas
Maarigallu delves into the history of the Kadamba dynasty, Karnataka’s first royal lineage. The teaser introduces audiences to the prosperous Vaijayanthipura, with Banavasi as its capital. Midway through, viewers are shown Emperor Mayuravarma, depicted through a meticulously crafted AI recreation of Puneeth Rajkumar. The teaser later transitions to the 1990s, where modern-day characters search for the dynasty’s hidden treasures. The series is directed by Devraj Poojary and produced by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, Puneeth’s wife. It is set to stream on Zee5 from 31 October.
Watch the teaser below:
Fans react to Puneeth’s AI appearance
Social media was flooded with emotional responses following the teaser release. One fan asked, “Will Puneeth sir feature in the whole series?” while another remarked, “Boss entry unexpected.” Many followers expressed heartfelt sentiments, with comments like, “Appu boss entry king is back love you appu,” and “Will get to see my God again.”
Honouring Puneeth Rajkumar’s legacy
Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – 29 October 2021) was the youngest son of legendary Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar and brother to Shiva Rajkumar. Starting his career as a child actor, Puneeth won accolades for films such as Bettada Hoovu (National Film Award for Best Child Artist), Vasantha Geetha, and Eradu Nakshatragalu. His first lead role was in 2002’s Appu, earning him the nickname “Power Star.”
During his career spanning three decades, Puneeth appeared in numerous hit films, including Abhi (2003), Raajakumara (2017), Yuvarathnaa (2021), and James (2022). Beyond acting, he hosted the Kannada version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Kannadada Kotyadhipati, and was a committed philanthropist.
Posthumously, Puneeth’s contributions were honoured with the Karnataka Ratna in 2022. His last film release during his lifetime was James, and he also appeared in the documentary Gandhada Gudi (2022), celebrating Karnataka’s forests.
