Dr. Rajkumar
Acting
- Born:
- 1929-04-24
- Died:
- 2006-04-12
- Place of birth:
- Gajanur, Madras Residency
Biography
**Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj** (born 24 April 1929, died 12 April 2006), universally known by his stage name **Dr. Rajkumar**, was an Indian actor and playback singer who became the foundational pillar and a towering cultural icon of Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema, he achieved a legendary matinée idol status among the Kannada diaspora, affectionately earning titles such as *Nata Saarvabhouma* (Emperor of Actors), *Bangarada Manushya* (Man of Gold), *Gaana Gandharva* (Celestial singer), and simply *Annavru* (Elder Brother). Born in Doddagajanur, a settlement in the Madras Presidency, into a family of impoverished theatre artists, he was named Muthuraj after the Hindu deity Hanuman. He began his acting career at a young age, performing as a drama artist with the renowned Gubbi Drama Company. His extensive theater background laid the foundation for his immaculate diction and extraordinary range of performances. Rajkumar transitioned to the silver screen with his first adult role in *Sri Srinivasa Kalyana* (1952), but his major breakthrough came two years later when he debuted as a lead actor in the 1954 classic *Bedara Kannappa*. The film was a massive success, famously addressing social discrimination, and launched him into unprecedented stardom. Over the next five decades, he starred in over 200 films, notably portraying the highest number of historical, mythological, and devotional characters in Indian cinema. He also broke new ground in *Jedara Bale* (1968), becoming the first actor in India to enact a full-fledged James Bond style spy role and sparking a new espionage genre in the industry. His cinematic dominance and mass appeal led to numerous incredible records. He is the first actor to have 39 of his movies remade 63 times across 9 different languages by 34 actors. Furthermore, his performance in the landmark film *Bangaarada Manushya* was included in Forbes' list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema." Beyond acting, Rajkumar was an exceptional classical and playback singer, making him the only lead actor in Indian cinema to win the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. His monumental contributions to Indian art and culture were recognized with the Padma Bhushan in 1983 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. Upon his passing in 2006, The New York Times described him as one of India's most popular movie stars.
Known For
Filmography
Shabdavedhi
Gandhada Gudi Part 2
Odahuttidavaru
Akasmika
Jeevana Chaithra
Parashuram
Devatha Manushya
Shiva Mecchida Kannappa
Ondu Muttina Kathe
Shruthi Seridaga
Guri
Anuraaga Aralithu
Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma
Jwalamukhi
Ade Kannu
Dhruva Taare
Samayada Gombe
Shravana Banthu
Apoorva Sangama
Yaarivanu
Bhakta Prahlada
Kaviratna Kalidasa
Kamana Billu
Eradu Nakshatragalu
Chalisuva Modagalu
Haalu Jenu
Hosa Belaku
Haavina Hede
Nee Nanna Gellalare
Keralida Simha
Bhagyavantha
Vasantha Geetha
Ravi Chandra
Naanobba Kalla
Huliya Halina Mevu
Thaayige Thakka Maga
Operation Diamond Racket
Shankar Guru
Olavu Geluvu
Sanaadi Appanna
Girikanye
Bhaagyavantharu
Babruvahana
Badavara Bandhu
Naa Ninna Mareyalare
Raja Nanna Raja
Bahaddur Gandu
Premada Kanike
Trimurthy
Mayura
Daari Thappida Maga
Sri Srinivasa Kalyana
Bhaktha Kumbara
Sampatthige Savaal
Eradu Kanasu
Bangarada Panjara
Mooruvare Vajragalu
Gandhada Gudi
Doorada Betta
Swayamvara
Bidugade
Devaru Kotta Thangi
Jaga Mecchida Maga
Bhale Huchcha
Nanda Gokula
Kranthiveera
Bangaarada Manushya
Sipayi Ramu
Janma Rahasya
Hrudaya Sangama
Sri Krishna Rukmini Sathyabhama
Nyayave Devaru
Sakshathkara
Prathidhwani
Kasidre Kailasa
Kula Gourava
Thayi Devaru
Namma Samsara
Baala Bandhana
Kasturi Nivasa
Paropakari
Devara Makkalu
Baalu Belagithu
Nanna Thamma
C.I.D. Rajanna
Bhale Jodi
Mr. Rajkumar
Bhoopathi Ranga
Karulina Kare
Nadina Bhagya
Hasiru Thorana
Sri Krishnadevaraya
Operation Jackpotnalli C.I.D 999
Mayor Muthanna
Chikkamma
Uyyaale
Bhale Raja
Punarjanma
Choori Chikkanna
Mallamana Pavaada
Margadarshi
Gandondu Hennaru
Mannina Maga
Goadalli C.I.D 999
Amma
Dhoomakethu
Hannele Chiguridaga
Nata Sarvabhouma
Bhaagyada Baagilu
Simha Swapna
Bengaluru Mail
Bhagya Devathe
Sarvamangala
Gandhinagara
Manassakshi
Jedara Bale
Rowdy Ranganna
Mahasathi Arundhati
Immadi Pulikeshi
Chakratheertha
Beedi Basavanna
Rajadurgada Rahasya
Lagnapathrike
Manasiddare Marga
Gange Gowri
Devara Gedda Manava
Rajasekhara
Sathi Sukanya
Bangarada Hoovu
Parvathi Kalyana
Sandhya Raaga
Emme Thammanna
Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe
Baala Naagamma
Kiladi Ranga
Mohini Bhasmasura
Thoogudeepa
Manthralaya Mahathme
Premamayi
Katari Veera
Madhu Malathi
Maduve Madi Nodu
Bettada Huli
Pathivratha
Vaatsalya
Ide Mahasudina
Sathya Harishchandra
Mahasathi Anasuya
Chandrahasa
Sarvagna Murthy
Naga Pooja
Sathi Savithri
Prathigne
Muriyada Mane
Shivagange Mahatme
Tumbida Koda
Annapoorna
Shivarathri Mahathme
Chandavalliya Thota
Navakoti Narayana
Naandi
Sri Rama Anjaneya Yuddha
Mana Mecchida Madadi
Chandra Kumara
Veerakesari
Sathi Shakthi
Kalitharu Henne
Kulavadhu
Malli Maduve
Jeevana Tharanga
Gowri
Kanyarathna
Saaku Magalu
Nanda Deepa
Valmiki
Santha Thukaram
Vidhi Vilasa
Mahathma Kabir
Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu
Thejaswini
Bhoodana
Swarnagowri
Gaali Gopura
Devasundari
Nagarjuna
Sri Shaila Mahathme
Bhakta Cheta
Kaivara Mahathme
Kantheredu Nodu
Kittur Chennamma
Bhaktha Kanakadasa
Dashavathara
Aasha Sundari
Rani Honnamma
Ranadheera Kanteerava
Abba! Aa Hudugi
Mahishasura Mardini
Dharma Vijaya
Jagajyothi Basveshwara
Anna Thangi
Shree Krishna Gaarudi
Bhookailasa
Rayara Sose
Sathi Nalayini
Bhaktha Vijaya
Ohileshwara
Hari Bhakta
Sodari
Bedara Kannappa
Sri Kaalahasthi Mahatyam