He released two films in 2005. Mahesh Babu's "Aakash" reunited Puneeth with Ramya (from "Abhi") and he appeared in Veera Shankar's action film "Namma Basava", with Gowri Munjal. He recorded songs in both films. Puneeth's only 2006 release was "Ajay", directed by Meher Ramesh and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. In the film, a remake of the 2003 Telugu "Okkadu", he played a professional kabaddi player who protects a girl endangered by her uncle (played by Prakash Raj). As a result of these films, Puneeth was called the "Powerstar of Sandalwood".