Nearly two decades after its original release, Aakash, starring Puneeth Rajkumar, returned to theatres on March 13, turning the day into a celebration for fans across Karnataka. The 2005 romantic drama, directed by Mahesh Babu and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar, had been a major hit during its first run. With Ramya playing the female lead, the film marked one of the memorable pairings in Puneeth’s early career.

The re-release comes ahead of Puneeth Rajkumar’s birth anniversary on March 17, giving fans an opportunity to relive one of his popular films on the big screen. From Bengaluru to several other parts of the state, audiences turned up in large numbers, proving once again that Appu’s charm continues to resonate years after his passing.

At Nartaki Theatre, the atmosphere resembled a festival. Fans gathered early in the day, performing milk abhisheka to the film’s posters, raising slogans in praise of Puneeth Rajkumar, and celebrating the occasion with music and cheers. The screening became less of a routine show and more of a tribute to the beloved star.

Members of the Rajkumar family and actor Ramya also visited the theatre to join the celebrations, acknowledging the affection that fans continue to shower on Puneeth’s films. As Ramya made her way into the theatre, she was surrounded by fans on all sides, with the crowd gathering around her to cheer, greet, and catch a glimpse of the star amid the excitement of the Aakash re-release celebrations.

Among those present was Raghavendra Rajkumar, who watched the film with fans and later shared an emotional note. “Watching this film without Puneeth is difficult,” he said. “It makes us wish those days would return. Even today, Aakash feels just as fresh to watch. Puneeth and Ramya’s pairing looks wonderful, and the love fans show the film makes it feel as if Puneeth is still with us.”

Originally released in 2005, Aakash was Puneeth Rajkumar’s fifth film as a lead actor and his second collaboration with Ramya. The film went on to become a blockbuster and remains one of the notable titles in his early career.

The re-release also drew younger audiences and actors. Bigg Boss Kannada fame Namratha Gowda and Pavi Poovappa were among those who watched the film, sharing their admiration for Puneeth Rajkumar and recalling how his screen presence continues to inspire a new generation of artistes.