In a rare encounter after 890 days following the passing of Karnataka Rathna Dr. Puneeth Rajakumar, the much-admired bodyguard and Appu’s driver for 12 years, Chalapathi disclosed that “Puneeth Anna was like God to me,” and he came to this earth, finished his good work, and yeomen service, and God called him, to which he had to oblige.
Chalapathi, as the driver and bodyguard of Appu-Puneeth Rajakumar for 12 years, has many memorable experiences in his memory. Take a look at his first day of meeting Appu and his immensely happy days with Appu until October 28, 2021, afternoon when he had lunch with him at Vajreshwari Combines.
“I have served 10 years in the Military. With two of my friends, I joined the security services job in Bengaluru. My parents and the previous generation are all Dr. Rajakumar fans to the core.
In one of Appu’s travels from Bengaluru to Chennai on a flight at the airport, I narrowly missed seeing him. My senior told me that after 15 days, he will be here again because he travels frequently to Chennai for the Kannada Kotyadhipathi reality show.
It happened, and 15 days later, I was in my uniform with two colleagues. We rushed to meet him at the airport, and Appu gave an unforgettable smile. We moved with him for a few yards and expressed a wish to take a picture. He suggested the right place, and that was my first photo with Appu.
A few days later, again at the airport, I moved in with him, and at the time of sitting in his car, he asked for my details. He had plans for one bodyguard and driver for him. He asked for the visiting card. When I got confused about the visiting card, which is a new issue for my profession, Appu asked for my phone number, and the only Xerox slip in my pocket, I tore it and gave my telephone number.
I did not expect the phone call, but it was a big surprise. Around 2011, I joined the Appu team, and since then, he has excellently looked after me.
Appu in the last 12 years could not visit my house but promised one day. When my father expired, Appu was in New York for the Ninnindale shooting. He expressed deep concern about my father’s departure.
When I moved from Yelahanka house to Bommasandra’s surroundings, Appu helped with the lease amount of the house. This huge amount, Ashwini Madam, told not to return.
I had great experiences in the simplicity of Appu. Once I was driving the car, and he asked for a small roadside hotel to sip a cup of tea. I did so and stopped the car. When the tea shop owner learned that he was preparing tea for Appu, he cleaned his vessels and prepared afresh. Appu at this time tasted ‘Chakli and Kodubale’ kept in the boxes and never worried about the quality of it. Very happy with Appu’s visit, the Tea stall owner did not ask for charges, but Appu opened his cash box and put some amount to the Tea shop owner. On any occasion, Appu had ‘Pukkat’ – this is just one incident recalled Chalapathi.
I had the longest drive to Hyderabad with Appu from Bengaluru. Biscuits, dry fruits, and water were compulsory.
It was the Coronavirus time, Appu for all his staff besides the regular monthly salary arranged for some more payment to the account.
Every year without fail, he was giving the annual fees of all staff children education. For my two children, he never failed in a single year to remit annual fees.
There was a discussion at the office on finding residential sites for all the staff members. But somehow it did not happen.
On the day my ‘God’ Appu breathed last, the finger ring and chain that has the locket of Raj and Parvathamma were handed over, but the purse that had Rs. 11,000 was given to me.
What can I say about his sudden demise? He was fit. His style of routine work is a model for others. He never stopped fitness and always used to have good food. His habits were excellent. For such a gem of personality, the call comes from destiny no one expected.
After my ‘God’ demise, I am not regularly visiting the house. There is a strong reason for this. The family members, when they see me, get a feeling that ‘Appu’ has come with me and start crying. I can’t see this moment.
There is another driver at home, Babu, and his personality was prepared to look fit with a short haircut and a good Safari costume.
I am currently working in the real estate business. I am OK with my income, and God Appu’s blessing is always on me.
Once there was a vehicle accident issue at Vajreshwari Combines, and I mediated to solve the problem.
In Karnataka wherever I traveled with Appu, there was a resounding welcome, and people loved Appu immensely.
