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 and versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema, 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 Playback 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.
Raghavendra Rajkumar is an Indian actor, singer and producer of Kannada cinema. He is the son of actor Dr. Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar. He made his debut as a lead in the film Chiranjeevi Sudhakar (1988) before appearing in the hugely successful 1989 film Nanjundi Kalyana. He went on to star in films such as Gajapathi Garvabhanga (1989), Anukoolakkobba Ganda (1990), and Geluvina Saradaara (1996). His last prominent film was Upendra's Swasthik (1998), a box office failure. He starred in Pakkadmane Hudugi (2004) before taking a fifteen year sabbatical from acting. Since then he has produced television serials under Poornima Productions and films under Sri Vajreshwari Combines.
Sri Raghavendrar is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language Hindu historical film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by Kavithalayaa Productions. The film stars Rajinikanth, portraying the title character, in his 100th film. Lakshmi, Vishnuvardhan, Delhi Ganesh and Nizhalgal Ravi play prominent roles. The film is based on the life of Hindu saint Raghavendra Tirtha. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics were written by Vaali. The dialogues for the film were written by A. L. Narayanan.
Kalpana, born Sharat Lata, was an Indian actress who appeared in Kannada films. She was affectionately referred to as Minugu Taare among the film fraternity. She was widely recognised as one of the greatest actresses of Kannada cinema who enjoyed both fan following and critical acclaim. She made her screen debut as a lead actress in the 1963 release Saaku Magalu directed by veteran B. R. Panthulu. During a career that spanned from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, Kalpana appeared in numerous commercially successful as well as critically appreciated films, many of which featured her alongside actor Rajkumar. She worked in a few Tamil, Tulu and Malayalam films as well. Many of her successful films were female-centric, giving ample scope for her performance.
Vidyasagar, known by his stage name Rajesh, was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films. Known as 'Kala Thapaswi', Rajesh was an ardent fan of literature. He appeared in many films as the lead in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and later on gravitated to strong character roles. He is the father of film actress Aasha Rani who acted in Rathasapthami with Shivrajkumar and the father-in-law of popular Kannada and Tamil actor Arjun Sarja.
Miss Leelavathi is a 1965 Indian Kannada language film directed by M. R. Vittal and written by Korati Srinivasa Rao. It stars Jayanthi in the titular role, along with Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath, Ramesh, and others. The film won the National Award for second best film in Kannada.
Bangarada Hoovu is a 1967 Indian Kannada language film directed, written and produced by B. A. Arasu Kumar. The film stars Rajkumar, V N Narayan,Kalpana, Udaykumar and Shylashri. Upon its release, the film received widespread praise, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. The film is an adaptation of the play Abhaagini written by the director himself. Bangarada Hoovu addresses the misconceptions surrounding leprosy - particularly the superstition that leprosy is a punishment for past sins.
Chandavalliya Thota is a 1964 Indian Kannada language film directed by T. V. Singh Thakur. It stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar and Jayanthi. The film was released on 24 June 1964 and ran for over 100 days at Prabhat Cinema in Bangalore. The film won several awards upon its release, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada for its Gandhian theme and its treatment of the poverty in rural Indian villages. The movie is based on the novel of same name by Ta.Ra.Su. This film marked the Kannada debut of singer K. J. Yesudas. It was a huge hit.
Hannele Chiguridaga is a 1968 Indian Kannada-language film directed by M. R. Vittal and produced by Srikanth Enterprises. The film stars Rajkumar, R. Nagendra Rao and Kalpana. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Triveni and deals with the empowerment of women in education and also issues around widow marriage.
Immadi Pulikeshi is a 1966 Kannada-language biographical film written by G. V. Iyer and directed by N. C. Rajan. The cast includes Rajkumar, Udayakumar, Jayanthi, Kalpana and Balakrishna. The film features a soundtrack and original score composed by G. K. Venkatesh and cinematography by B. Dorairaj and Rajaram.
Naandi is a 1964 Kannada-language romantic drama film directed and written by N. Lakshminarayan, making his directional debut. The film was produced by actor Vadiraj and Jawahar for Sri Bharathi Chitra studio. It stars Dr. Rajkumar and Harini along with Kalpana and Udaykumar in guest roles. Actor Dinesh made his debut in a supporting role.
Devara Makkalu is a 1970 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by Y. R. Swamy based on the novel Meena by Ma. Na. Murthy. It stars Rajkumar along with Jayanthi, Kalpana and Rajesh in other lead roles. The film stars a soundtrack from G. K. Venkatesh and is produced by Bharath Enterprises.
Hasiru Thorana is a 1970 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by T. V. Singh Thakur and written by Sundaramma. It stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan. The film was released under Sri Indira Movies banner and produced by Y. Anantharama Rao. The soundtrack composed by Upendra Kumar was well received upon release.
Bhoodana is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film jointly directed and produced by G. V. Iyer and P.S. Gopalkrishna. The film stars Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Udaykumar, and K. S. Ashwath, with a musical score by G. K. Venkatesh.
Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by M. Nageshwara Rao and M S Nayak. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Dikki Madhavarao. It marks the debut of composer Satyam, who provided the musical score for the film. Notably, the title card reveals that this was Rajkumar's 50th film.
Shivagange Mahathme is a 1964 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Govindaiah and produced by J. C. Thimmarayappa. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Balakrishna. The film has musical score by G. K. Raghu.
Simha Swapna is a 1968 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by W. R. Subba Rao and produced by S. Bhavanarayan. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and Dikki Madhavarao. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh. This is the only film in which Rajkumar lip-synced to the voices of T. M. Soundararajan and Pithapuram Nageswara Rao.
Valmiki is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by C. S. Rao and produced by S. K. Habeebulla. The film stars Rajkumar, Kantha Rao, Narasimharaju and Rajanala Kaleswara Rao. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. The movie is based on the life of Valmiki.
Chandrahasa is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film directed and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Narasimharaju. The film had musical score by S. Hanumantha Rao.
Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi is a 1999 Indian Kannada-language comedy film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and written by Richard Louis. The film stars Raghavendra Rajkumar and Charulatha. It was released on 5 February 1999.
