Answer
Appu, released in 2002, marked Puneeth Rajkumar's debut as a leading actor. The film, directed by Puri Jagannadh, was a romantic action drama that showcased Puneeth's versatility as a performer. It was a commercial success, establishing Puneeth as a rising star in the Kannada film industry and earning him the nickname "Appu," which became synonymous with his name.