Going gaga over Puneet!

Get your low down on what's happening in the Kannada film industry, right here!

There was no end to Puneet Rajkumar's joy when his elder brother and actor Shivarajkumar told journalists that he was Puneet's fan.

"And this is not just from the days where he debuted as a lead actor -- I've enjoyed watching him as a child actor too," said Shivanna.

He along with his family members was present at the audio launch of Puneet and Bhavana's Jackie.

While there were rumours of Ekka raja rani, a song sung by Kailash kher being leaked on the Internet, the official launch was held recently.

Puneet's daughters released the album. Yograj Bhat has penned all the five songs. Shiva anta hoguttide and edavatt aiatu sung by Puneet are already popular with the youngsters.

Sonu Nigam and Shreya Goshal have also sung a romantic track in the film. The songs have been extensively shot in Austria and South Africa.

Music is by Harikrishna, who Shivanna had only kind words for. "I think after Gurukiran, it is Harikrishna who has given a different kind of music. In fact I won't be wrong in saying that he has overtaken Guru," he said.

The film's audio, posters and promos are available through bluetooth connective across 80 places in Bangalore.

Producer Soundarya Jagdeesh wants to make sure that his son and child actor Snehit has a proper launch and thus is reaching out to school children.

As part of promotional activities of Appu Pappu, he is distributing over 10 lakh labels with pictures of Appu (Snehit) and Pappu (an orangutan from Cambodia) on them.

"Each sheet will have 15 labels and we are mostly targeting schools in Bangalore and Mysore regions. Initially students thought that the orangutan was a graphic, but later when we explained to them that it was the picture of a real animal, they were excited to see the film. In fact, some schools have approached us to arrange for special shows at discounted rates and we are considering the same," says Jagdeesh.

This apart, film stills will be advertised on 27 buses in Bangalore and Mysore. In the meanwhile Jagdeesh has been waiting for a clearance from the Animal Welfare Board of India to screen the film.

"We are waiting for them to issue a 'No objection certificate'. Initially we had sent them only those scenes where the animal appears, but now they want to see the entire film, so there has been a delay. We are expecting the certificate in a day or two," adds Jagdeesh. 

Appu Pappu is expected to release in the first week of September. It has been awarded a 'U' certificate.

Abbas Ali is re-entering the Kannada  industry with this film. Rekha, Jennifer Kotwal, Rangayana Raghu and Komal are also part of the film.

There were also reports of the film being remade in Hindi. "Yes, someone from Mumbai approached me for details and I heard that Akshay Kumar may act in that film," says Jagdeesh.

Rammi is expected to go on floors in October. This apart, Sharmila is also venturing into Tamil cinema with Thillumullu, a romantic film opposite Vinay Rai. The film is being directed by Maadesh.