Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema and a versatile actor, he is considered a cultural icon and holds a matinée idol status in the Kannada diaspora, among whom he is popularly called as Nata Saarvabhouma, Bangarada Manushya, Vara Nata, Gaana Gandharva, Rasikara Raja, Kannada Kanteerava and Rajanna/Annavru. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1983 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. He is the only lead actor to win National Award for singing. His 39 movies have been remade 63 times in 9 languages by 34 actors making him the first actor whose movies were remade more than fifty times and the first actor whose movies were remade in nine languages. He was the first actor in India to enact a role which was based on James Bond in a full-fledged manner. The success of his movie Jedara Bale is credited to have widely inspired a Desi bond genre in other Indian film industries. On the occasion of the "Centenary of Indian Cinema" in April 2013, Forbes included his performance in Bangaarada Manushya on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Upon his death, The New York Times had described him as one of India's most popular movie stars.
Sadananda Sagar, better known by his stage name Vajramuni, was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films. He portrayed negative characters during most of his career and was considered one of Kannada cinema's finest actors. Over his career, he came to be known for his "thundering voice and sterling performance[s]" that earned him the epithets, Nata Bhairava and Nata Bhayankara.
K. C. Nanjunde Gowda was a businessman and one of the top Kannada film producers, exhibitors, financiers and distributors. He is credited with producing some of the classic films in the annals of Kannada film industry, namely, Sharapanjara, Huliya Halina Mevu, Babruvahana, Bangarada Panjara, Daari Thappida Maga and many more.
Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu is 1974 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Siddalingaiah, who co-wrote the screenplay with Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, based on Iyengar's short story of the same name from his novel, Vayyari. The film stars Vishnuvardhan and Lokesh; with M. P. Shankar, Jayamala, Rushyendramani and Balakrishna all acting in supporting roles. The film revolves around the enmity between two villagers, Ayyu and Gulla and how they mend their relationship.
Karaganahalli Subbaraya Ashwathanarayana was an Indian veteran actor who appeared in Kannada films He appeared in over 370 films during his five-decade-long career. His only memorial in the whole of Karnataka, India is in the Kengeri satellite town, Bengaluru. Memorial name - "K. S. Ashwath Memorial Children's Park".
Lokesh was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada plays and films.
Pyaar Karke Dekho is a 1987 Indian film. It was one of the first movies to feature Govinda and Kader Khan, who went on to star in a number of movies later. Another cast includes Mandakini, Aruna Irani, Nirupa Roy and Om Shivpuri. The movie was Kannada film industry's well known director D. Rajendra Babu's debut Hindi movie. It was a remake of his own 1985 Kannada movie Naanu Nanna Hendthi.
Parvathamma Rajkumar was an Indian film producer and distributor. She was the wife and cousin of veteran Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar. She produced successful films featuring Rajkumar and their sons Shiva Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar under the production house named "Poornima Enterprises". Actresses who found fame in her productions include Malashri, Prema, Rakshita, Sudha Rani and Ramya. She was awarded a doctorate from Bangalore University.
Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Varadaraj was an Indian actor and producer in Kannada cinema. He produced films such as Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu starring Lokesh, and Hemavathi starring Udaykumar.
Siddalingaiah was an Indian film director, scriptwriter and producer who worked mainly in the Kannada films. He was well known for his distinct film-making style, and the industry knew him as a master of social themes and rural subject matter. He was one of the most commercially successful directors in the Kannada industry. He began his film career in 1964 as a director with Mayor Muthanna (1969). In a career that spanned 30 years, he directed over 20 films.
Thayi Devaru is a 1971 Indian Kannada-language drama film written by Shivam and directed by Siddalingaiah. It stars Rajkumar, M. V. Rajamma and Bharathi. The film was released under Jain Movies banner and produced by Chandulal Jain. H. R. Bhargava worked as associate director, M. S. Rajashekar as assistant director and G. K. Venkatesh was the soundtrack and score composer. The dialogues and lyrics were written by Chi. Udaya Shankar. The movie was remade in Telugu in 1973 as Kanna Koduku starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao.
Hunsur Krishnamurthy was an Indian playwright, film director, producer, actor, screenwriter and lyricist in Kannada cinema.
Y. R. Swamy was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked primarily Kannada cinema. He directed over 35 films in his career, 17 of which came in films that stars Rajkumar in the lead role. He also holds the record for directing Rajkumar for the highest no. of times- seventeen.
Jari Bidda Jana is a 1980 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by J. Chandulal Jain, B. Deepak Chand, Naveenchand Shah and A. Krishnamurthy. The film stars Lokesh, Jayanthi, Ashok and Rekha Rao. The film has musical score by T. G. Lingappa.
Basappa Jaya, commonly known as B. Jaya, was an Indian actress, known for her work in Kannada cinema. She acted in over 200 films. For her performance in the movie Gowdru, Jaya won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2004-05.
Sudheer was an Indian actor and politician known for his work in Kannada cinema. His noted performances came in films such as Chalagara (1981), Preethi Vathsalya (1984), Lorry Driver (1987), Bandha Muktha (1987), Jana Nayaka (1988), Mathru Vathsalya (1988), Looti Gang (1994) and Lady Commissioner (1997).
Sundar Raj is an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry (Sandalwood). Some of the notable films of Sundar Raj as an actor include Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Ondanondu Kaladalli, Chandanada Gombe, Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu (2001), Mathadana (2001), Aakasmika (1993).
Venkataraju known by his professional name Rajanand (1927-2004), was an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry. Some of the notable films of Rajanand as an actor include Operation Diamond Racket (1978), Mayura (1975), and Eradu Kanasu (1974).
Guttigeri Manappa, known mononymously as Maanu, was an Indian actor, television director and author. He was most noted for his work in Kannada cinema. For his performance in Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane (1977), he received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada at the 25th Filmfare Awards South.
