In 1953, Rajkumar was offered his first role in H.L.N Simha`s Bedara Kannappa. As a tribute to the beloved actor, more than 50 statues dedicated to Rajkumar were erected across Bangalore.
His eyes were donated after his death according to his wishes. On 12th April 2006, the retired actor died, following a cardiac arrest at his home in Sadashivanagar, Bangalore. After 108 days of being held captive in the thick of the forests that Veerappan ruled, the actor was released unharmed on 15th November 2000. It was a testament to Rajkumar`s unparalleled popularity and influence when the event prompted a nationwide manhunt, throwing the Karnataka government into a crisis. Veerappan demanded the release of his fellow gang members who were imprisoned due to a defunct anti-terrorism law. His sons, Shiva Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar both followed their father`s footsteps into the Kannada film industry while Raghavendra Rajkumar became an actor-turned-producer.ĭuring the year 2000, Rajkumar, his son-in-law Govindaraju along with two others were abducted by notorious gang leader Veerappan from the actor`s mansion at Gajanur. Rajkumar was married to Raja Gourava Parvathamma and the couple had five children together, two daughters and three sons. Born on 24th April 1929 in Gajanur, Tamil Nadu, he discovered the world of acting through his parents his father, in particular, was known for his talent for portraying the roles of Kamsa, Ravana, and Hiranyakashipu.Īfter dropping out of school at the age of 8, Rajkumar performed in small roles till he turned 25 and received his first lead in the film Bedara Kannappa (1954). Rajkumar is the son of theater artists Puttaswamayya and Lakshmamma. He also received the 2002 NTR National Award, an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore and a Padma Bhushan in 1983. He is best known for his work in Thoogudeepa (1966), Naandi (1964), Malli Maduve (1963), Bhoodaana (1962), Sati Nalaayini (1957) and many other films.ĭuring his extensive career, the actor was presented with eleven Karnataka State Film Awards, ten South Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards and a National Film Award for Best Playback Singer. A titan of Kannada cinema, Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju, better known by his stage name Rajkumar, was at once a beloved matinee idol and a venerated cultural icon.
0 kommentar(er)
