This is Part 10 of Legends of Indian Cinema, our 20-part series on the actors, filmmakers and musicians who shaped Indian films across languages. New here? Start with Part 1: Dadasaheb Phalke, or read the previous part, Part 9: N.T. Rama Rao (NTR).
In Karnataka, he is lovingly called Annavru, "elder brother". Dr. Rajkumar was not just Kannada cinema's greatest star. He was a fine singer, a symbol of Kannada pride and a role model whose clean screen image shaped how families saw cinema.
Early life
- Born Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju on 24 April 1929 in Gajanur, near the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border.
- His father was a stage actor, and young Muthuraju left school early to join theatre.
- He spent years with the famous Gubbi Veeranna drama company, learning acting, singing and stagecraft.
Film career
- He made his debut as the lead in Bedara Kannappa (1954), a devotional film about a hunter who becomes a devotee of Shiva. Producers renamed him "Rajkumar".
- He acted in more than 200 films, almost all in Kannada, across mythology, history, social drama and action.
- Bangaarada Manushya (1972) ran for about two years in some theatres and inspired many young people to return to farming.
- He played Indian-style spy hero CID 999 in Jedara Bale (1968) and its sequels.
- Other classics include Kasturi Nivasa (1971), Mayura (1975), Bhakta Kumbara (1974) and Shankar Guru (1978).
A singing star
Rajkumar sang many of his own songs. His song "Naadamaya" from Jeevana Chaitra won him the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer (1993), a rare honour for a lead actor.
Champion of Kannada
In 1982, he led the Gokak agitation, which demanded primacy for Kannada in Karnataka's schools. His participation turned it into a mass movement. In 2000, he was kidnapped by the forest brigand Veerappan and held for 108 days before being released. The state waited anxiously for his return.
Honours and legacy
- Padma Bhushan (1983), the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1995) and an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore, which is why he is known as "Dr." Rajkumar.
- He died on 12 April 2006.
- His sons Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and the late Puneeth Rajkumar all became Kannada film stars.
Next in the series: Part 11: Lata Mangeshkar.
