Appu is a 2000 Kannada romantic action-drama film, directed by Puri Jagannadh and stars the stalwart of Kannada cinema, Dr. Rajkumar's sons, Puneeth Rajkumar and Shiva Rajkumar, in major roles.

The film revolves around Appu, the character played by Puneeth Rajkumar, affectionately known as 'Power Star' by his fans. This is Puneeth’s first film as a lead actor. He had previously appeared as a child artiste in numerous films and with his resilient performance in Appu, he demonstrated the birth of a new star in South Indian cinema.

The story of Appu is the journey of a young man from his college days to becoming a truthful and brave youth, confronting all obstacles head-on while discovering love and friendship. It is a coming of age story, with a reasonable blend of romance, action, and drama that nudges the audience's emotions and engages them in the protagonist’s life.

As the story unfolds, the film portrays Appu's jovial college life and his relationship with his friends. It also highlights the profound bond of friendship he shares with his best friend played by the talented actor, Sudeep. Their friendship goes through a series of turbulent turns due to various circumstances, significantly impacting their lives. Puneeth’s performance in the portrayal of his character's emotional transformation stands out, making the character of Appu both relatable and memorable for the film’s audiences.

Rakshita, the leading female actress of the film, made her acting debut with Appu. Her character adds a layer of love and romantic drama to the film. The platonic affection she shares with Appu eventually evolves into a romantic relationship creating a charming and engaging dynamic between the characters.

The film's action sequences are one of its biggest attractions, showing Appu’s brave and fearless persona. The action scenes are choreographed brilliantly and performed exceptionally by Puneeth. For those who enjoy action-packed films, Appu provides a perfect blend of thrilling sequences without straying from the main narrative.

One of the significant highlights of Appu is its captivating music and background score. It boasts of melodious tracks composed by the renowned musician Gurukiran. Each song in the film complements the tones of the various scenes – from the joyful beginnings to the ensuing drama and confrontation, the music provides the perfect emotive soundtrack for the unfolding story.

The cinematography of the film is excellent, capturing the essence of the surroundings, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the film. The director, Puri Jagannadh’s approach to storytelling reflects in his direction, ensuring that the narrative remains engaging and entertaining from start to end.

Appu established Puneeth Rajkumar as a commercial hero in the Kannada film industry. His dynamic depiction of Appu’s character, blending shades of romance, comedy, emotion, and action, was highly appreciated and is still remembered by fans and critics alike. In fact, the film was such a major hit that it was later dubbed and released in various other languages and even remade in Bangla, marking its successful run and wide-scale appeal.

While the film appeals mainly to the youth because of its college background and the young characters, it caters to a wider audience owing to its family-friendly narrative which is nary devoid of melodrama. It showcases themes like friendship, love, revenge, and righteousness that are universally appreciable.

The film, Appu, can be considered one of the most significant movies in the history of Kannada cinema, as it marks the successful debut of Puneeth as a lead actor. Appu is indeed a fast-paced, enthralling entertainer that despite being a commercial film, manages to strike the right emotional chords with the audience. Its unique blend of romance, drama, friendship, and action sequences make it a must-watch for lovers of Indian cinema.