Dr. Rajkumar, film actor
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Brief biography
Born in 1929 as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju, the legendary actor is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (in 1983) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (in 1995) for the lifetime contribution to Indian Cinema.
Rajkumar was 8 when he acted with his father in the Gubbi Drama Company, under the illustrious Gubbi Veeranna. In 1953, he was spotted by film director H. L. N. Simha who signed him for Bedara Kannappa. Rajkumar has acted in over 200 films, his last one being Shabdavedhi in 2000. NDTV
He started his film career in 1954 in the film Bedara Kannapa and went on to star in over 220 movies, his last being Shabdavedhi in 2000. In 1995, Rajkumar was conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is India's highest award in cinema. The actor died of cardiac arrest at his residence in Bangalore on April 12, 2006 at the age of 77. Rajkumar, who left a void among his followers, will be forever remembered for his outstanding contribution in Kannada cinema.
Did you know, Rekha, actress made her debut with him in Operation Jackpotnalli CID 999? Rajkumar is also the first Indian actor to have played the role of James Bond in Jedara Bale. (Indian Express)
Widely acclaimed as a method actor, he was trained in Carnatic music and had lent his voice to hundreds of songs in a career spanning over four decades.
Rajkumar died of cardiac arrest at his residence in Bengaluru in 2006.
Titles
Rajkumar is still fondly and popularly referred to as Appaji, Annavru, Nata Saarvabhouma (Emperor of Actors), Bangarada Manushya (Man of Gold), Vara Nata (Gifted Actor) and Rajanna (Brother Raj).
The great performances of Rajanna
Ranadheera Kanteerava
Sampathige Saval
Kaviratna Kalidasa
Jedara Bale
Gowri
Gandhada Gudi (1973):
The film had Rajkumar and his contemporary Vishnuvardhan playing the lead roles. Gandhada Gudi tells the story of a forest officer Kumar, who fights against poachers to protect natural resources. For the same, Aanand becomes his main rival. What happens when he learns that Aanand is his brother? The film saw stupendous success at the box office and went to become a milestone in the careers of both Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan.
Mayura (1975):
In this historical period drama, Rajkumar played a the role of Prince Mayurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty. The film depicts the life journey of Mayura, which itself is based on a novel of the same name. Most of the scenes were filmed inside the Mysore Palace, which is considered as Kannada pride. Mayura was highly successful at the box office, thanks to Rajkumar in the titular character. Rajkumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Shankar Guru (1978):
Directed by V. Somashekhar, Shankar Guru was a blockbuster hit for several reasons. The film, which tells the story of Rajashekhar / Shankar, was well-received by fans, and was Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.Notably, the Tamil version completed a 200-days run at the box office. Even after all these years, Shankar Guru is considered one of the best Kannada films of Rajkumar. He won his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (1986):
Directed by the legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, the film had an overwhelming response from Kannada circuit. Produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar, Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma, which marked the first collaboration of Rajkumar with Rao, fetched the actor the Best Actor award that year.
Aakasmika (1993):
Like many of his works, Rajkumar's Aakasmika opened to packed houses across Karnataka and won several awards for its lead. Based on the trilogy story Akasmika - Aparadhi - Parinama, the film received rave reception from critics and fans alike.
Google’s tribute
Indian Express writes: There were several drafts of the sketch before they zeroed in on this one. “Early drafts of today’s Doodle featured different interpretations of the beloved star’s work. The first illustrates Rajkumar singing and holding the white bird from Kasturi Nivasa, a quintessential Kannada drama and a cornerstone of Rajkumar’s cinematic legacy. Another Doodle draft showcases an array of iconic characters Rajkumar played over a half century of acting”, the brief states [there were several drafts of the sketch before they zeroed in on this one. “Early drafts of today’s Doodle featured different interpretations of the beloved star’s work. The first illustrates Rajkumar singing and holding the white bird from Kasturi Nivasa, a quintessential Kannada drama and a cornerstone of Rajkumar’s cinematic legacy. Another Doodle draft showcases an array of iconic characters Rajkumar played over a half century of acting”
Filmography
As an actor
1946 Nai Maa
1951 Jai Mahakali
1952 Insaan
1954 Alibaba and 40 Thieves
1954 Bedara Kannappa
1954 Radha Krishna
1954 Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam
1955 Sodari
1956 Bhaktha Vijaya
1956 Bhukailasa
1956 Hari Bhakta
1956 Ohileshwara
1956 Tenali Ramakrishna
1957 Arpan
1957 Rayaran Sose
1957 Sati Nalayini
1958 Anna Thangi
1958 Shri Krishna Garudi
1959 Abba! A Hudgi
1959 Dharma Vijaya
1959 Jagajyothi Basaveshwara
1959 Mahishasura Mardini
1960 Ashasundari
1960 Bhakta Kanakadasa
1960 Dashavtara
1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava
1960 Rani Honamma
1961 Babasa Ri Laadi
1961 Bhakta Cheta
1961 Kaivara Mahatme
1961 Kantheredu Nodu
1961 Shrishaila Mahatme
1961 Nagarjuna
1962 Bhoodana
1962 Devasundari
1962 Galli Gopura
1962 Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu
1962 Kittur Chennamma
1962 Mahatma Kabir
1962 Mana Mechhida Madadi
1962 Nanda-Deepa
1962 Rani Chanamma
1962 Swarna Gauri
1962 Tejaswini
1962 Vidhi Vilasa
1963 Chandrakumara
1963 Gauri
1963 Jeevana Taranga
1963 Kalitharu Henne
1963 Kanya Ratna
1963 Kulavadhu
1963 Malli Madhuve
1963 Saku Magalu
1963 Sant Tukaram
1963 Sati Shakthi
1963 Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddha
1963 Veera Kesari
1963 Valmiki
1964 Annapurna
1964 Chandavalliya Tota
1964 Muriyada Mane
1964 Naandi
1964 Navakoti Narayana
1964 Pratigne
1964 Shivagange Mahatme
1964 Shivarathri Mahatme
1964 Tumbidakoda
1964 Uyyale
1965 Bettada Huli
1965 Ide Mahasudina
1965 Madhuve Madi Nodu
1965 Maha Sathi
1965 Mahasati Ansuya
1965 Naga Pooja
1965 Pativrata
1965 Sarvagna Murthy
1965 Sati Savitri
1965 Vatsalya
1965 Chandrahasa
1965 Satya Harishchandra
1966 Balanagamma
1966 Emmay Thammanna
1966 Kathari Veera
1966 Kiladi Ranga
1966 Madhu Malathi
1966 Mohini Bhasmasura
1966 Prema Mayi
1966 Sandhya Raga
1966 Shri Kannika Parameshwari Kathe
1966 Thoogu Deepa
1967 Bangarada Hoovu
1967 Beedhi Basavanna
1967 Chakra Teertha
1967 Devara Gedda Manava
1967 Devuni Gelichina Manavudu
1967 Gange Gowri
1967 Immadi Pulakesi
1967 Lagna Patrike
1967 Manasiddare Marga
1967 Parvathi Kalyanam
1967 Rajadurgada Rahasya
1967 Rajasekara
1967 Sati Sukanya
1968 Amma
1968 Bangalore Mail
1968 Bhagya Devathe
1968 Bhagyada Bagilu
1968 Churi Chikanna
1968 Dhoomakethu
1968 Gandhinagara
1968 Goa Dalli CID 999
1968 Hannele Chiguridaga
1968 Jedara Bale
1968 Mahasati Arundhati
1968 Manasakshi
1968 Manninamaga
1968 Moogajeevulu
1968 Natasarva Bhowma
1968 Operation Jackpot
1968 Rowdy Ranganna
1968 Sarvamangala
1968 Simha Swapna
1969 Bhale Raja
1969 Chikamma
1969 Gadondu Henneradu
1969 Malammana Pavada
1969 Margadarshi
1969 Mayor Muthanna
1969 Punarjanma
1969 Sri Krishna Deva Raya
1970 Baalu Belagithu
1970 Bhale Jodi
1970 Bhoopathiranga
1970 C.I.D. Rajanna
1970 Devara Makkalu
1970 Hasiru Thorana
1970 Karulinakare
1970 Mr. Rajkumar
1970 Nadina Bhagya
1970 Nanna Thamma
1970 Paropakari
1971 Baala Bandhana
1971 Kasidre Kailasa
1971 Kasturi Nivasa
1971 Kula Gourava
1971 Namma Samsara
1971 Nyayave Devaru
1971 Pratidhwani
1971 Sakshatkara
1971 Shri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama
1971 Sipayi Ramu
1971 Thayi Devaru
1972 Bangarada Manushya
1972 Bhale Huchcha
1972 Hrudaya Sangama
1972 Jaga Mechida Maga
1972 Janma Rahasya
1972 Krantiveera
1972 Nanda Gokula
1973 Bangaarada Panjara
1973 Bidugade
1973 Devaru Kotta Thangi
1973 Doorada Betta
1973 Gandhada Gudi
1973 Mooruvare Vajragalu
1973 Swayamvara
1974 Bhakta Kumbhara
1974 Eradu Kanasu
1974 Roshni aur Andhera
1974 Sampathige Saval
1974 Shri Srinivasa Kalyana
1975 Daari Tappida Maga
1975 Mayura
1975 Trimurthi
1976 Badavara Bandhu
1976 Bahaddur Gandu
1976 Mayooraa
1976 Mayura
1976 Na Ninna Mareyalare
1976 Premada Kanike
1976 Raja Nanna Raja
1977 Babruvahana
1977 Bhagyavantharu
1977 Giri Kanye
1977 Olavu Geluvu
1977 Sanadhi Appanna
1977 Veer Arjun
1978 Operation Diamond Rocket
1978 Shankar Guru
1978 Thayige Takka Maga
1979 Huliya Halina Mevu
1979 Nanobba Kalla
1980 Aasha
1980 Ravichandra
1980 Vasantha Geetha
1981 Bhagyavantha
1981 Havina Hede
1981 Keralida Simha
1981 Nee Nanna Gellare
1982 Chelisuva Modagalu
1982 Halu Jenu
1982 Hosa Belaku
1983 Bhakta Prahlada
1983 Eradu Nakshatragalu
1983 Jasoos 999
1983 Kamana Billu
1983 Kavirathna Kaalidaasa
1984 Apoorva Sangama
1984 Inquilab Ke Baad
1984 Samayada Gombe
1984 Shravana Banthu
1984 Yarivanu?
1985 Ade Kannu
1985 Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma
1985 Dhruva Tare
1985 Jwalamukhi
1986 Anuraaga Aralithu
1986 Guri
1987 Ondu Muthina Kathe
1987 Shruti Seridaga
1988 Biwi Ho To Aisi
1988 Devatha Manushya
1988 Shiva Mecchida Kannappa
1992 Jeevana Chaitra
1993 Akasmika
2000 Shabdavedi
As a singer
1975 Daari Tappida Maga
2003 Chigurida Kanasu
As a music composer
2000 Sudhandhiram
