His comeback film as a villain, Chillum, was dropped.[4] In 2019, when he went to act in a lead role in the movie Ammana Mane, the Prime Minister of Singapore heard about it and watched the movie.[5]
Career
1970s: Early Years as Child Artist
Raghavendra Rajkumar began his journey in Kannada cinema as a child actor in mythological and family dramas produced under his home banner. He appeared in films such as Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974) and Daari Tappida Maga (1975), both starring his father, Dr. Rajkumar.
1980s: Lead Actor Debut and Breakthrough
After years behind the scenes, Raghavendra made his debut as a lead actor in Chiranjeevi Sudhakar (1988). His real breakthrough came with the romantic comedy Nanjundi Kalyana (1989), which became a superhit and established him as a bankable star. The same year, he starred in Gajapathi Garvabhanga, further cementing his popularity. These films showcased his ability to handle light-hearted roles with ease, and he often collaborated with directors like M. S. Rajashekar and co-stars such as Malashri, Shruti and Ananth Nag.
1990s: Success and Peak Stardom
The 1990s marked Raghavendra’s most prolific phase. He delivered a string of successful films, including Anukoolakkobba Ganda (1990) – A family entertainer, Kalyana Mantapa (1991) and Bharjari Gandu (1992): both romantic dramas. Anuragada Alegalu (1993) and Navibbaru Namagibbaru (1993) that showcased his comic timing, Geluvina Saradara (1996) and Sutradhara (1996) earned praise for emotional depth.
He also experimented with thrillers like Swasthik (1998), directed by Upendra, though it was a box-office failure despite critical appreciation for its bold narrative. His collaborations during this decade included directors like Relangi Narasimha Rao and Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.
2000s: Transition to Production
After Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi (1999) and Pakkadmane Hudugi (2004), Raghavendra gradually stepped away from acting to focus on production under Sri Vajreshwari Combines, assisting his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar. He managed major projects featuring his brothers Shiva Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar, such as Vamshi (2008), Aakash, and Yaare Koogadali (2012). He also produced television serials under Poornima Productions, marking his successful transition to a behind-the-scenes role.
2010s: Comeback and Critical Acclaim
After a 15-year hiatus, Raghavendra returned to acting with Ammana Mane (2019), a family drama that earned him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. He followed this with Thrayambakam (2019), showcasing his ability to handle mature, layered characters. His comeback was widely appreciated for its emotional authenticity and simplicity.
2020s: Character Roles and Legacy
In recent years, Raghavendra has appeared in supporting and character roles in films like Rajatantra (2021), Pogaru (2021), James, and Raaji (2022). He continues to be involved in production and occasionally lends his voice as a playback singer.
Personal life
From (L to R) Ravi Srivatsa, Shiva Rajkumar, Parvathamma Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar
Raghavendra Rajkumar was born on 15 August 1965 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, to legendary Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar. He is the second son in the Rajkumar family, with elder brother Shiva Rajkumar and younger brother Puneeth Rajkumar, both prominent actors in Kannada cinema.[6][7] His sons Vinay Rajkumar and Yuva Rajkumar are both actors.[8] He also has two sisters, Poornima and Lakshmi. The family is deeply rooted in Karnataka’s cultural and cinematic heritage, and Raghavendra was named after Raghavendra Swami, reflecting his parents’ devotion.
Raghavendra married Mangala, and the couple has two sons: Vinay Rajkumar and Yuva Rajkumar, both actors continuing the family legacy. Known for his humility and strong family values, Raghavendra has maintained a low profile compared to his brothers, focusing on production and occasional acting. In 2013, he suffered a severe stroke while in Singapore, which led to prolonged physiotherapy and rehabilitation.[9] He has undergone physiotherapy treatment.[10] In December 2013, he had become victim of death hoax which was proven to be false.[11] Despite health challenges, he made a successful comeback to acting with Ammana Mane (2019), earning critical acclaim.
↑Sebastian R., Shilpa (6 September 2018). "Time to stop and think". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
↑C. George, Nina (5 March 2019). "Stroke showed me new world". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
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