Bismillah Khan BR, often referred to by the title Ustad, was an Indian musician credited with popularizing the shehnai, a reeded woodwind instrument. He played it with such expressive virtuosity that he became a leading Hindustani classical music artist. His name was indelibly linked with the woodwind instrument. While the shehnai had long held importance as a folk instrument played primarily schooled in traditional ceremonies, Khan is credited with elevating its status and bringing it to the concert stage.
Jaya Prada Nahata is an Indian actress and politician. She is hailed as one of the most iconic and influential actresses in both Telugu and Hindi film industries in late '70s, '80s and early '90s. Jayaprada is the recipient of three Filmfare Awards South and has starred in many Telugu and Hindi films along with several Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi films. She left the film industry at the peak of her career, as she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1994 and entered politics. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh from 2004 to 2014.
Gurusala Krishnadas Venkatesh was an Indian film score composer who primarily worked in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and until the late-1980s. He also composed music for Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. He produced numerous master pieces of Kannada film music and also brought in Western background score into Kannada films and scored music for all Bond movies of Rajkumar in the 1960s to 1970s.
Bhagyavantha is a 1981 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed and written by B. S. Ranga. The film featured Master Lohit, Aarathi and Jai Jagadish in pivotal roles. Veteran actor Rajkumar and Thoogudeepa Srinivas made brief appearances in the film.
Gandhada Gudi is a 1973 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Vijay and produced by M. P. Shankar. Rajkumar in his 150th film portrays an honest forest officer Kumar while Vishnuvardhan plays the antagonist, Anand, though his character is redeemed at the end of the film. Kalpana, M. P. Shankar, Narasimharaju and Balakrishna performed other important roles.
B. Vijaya Reddy, better known as Vijay Reddy or Vijay, was an Indian film director who worked primarily in Kannada cinema with over 50 movies to his credit. His debut directorial venture was Rangamahal Rahasya (1970). He was known for his collaborations with leading Kannada actor Rajkumar for movies like Gandhada Gudi (1973), Mayura (1975), Naa Ninna Mareyalare (1976) and Sanaadi Appanna (1977) which are considered among the classic movies of Kannada cinema.
Daari Tappida Maga is a 1975 Indian Kannada-language film produced and directed by Peketi Sivaram. The film stars Rajkumar, Kalpana, Aarathi, Manjula and Jayamala with K. S. Ashwath, M. V. Rajamma and Vajramuni in supporting roles and Thoogudeepa Srinivas in a cameo along with Rajkumar's second son Raghavendra in a small role in his second on screen appearance as a child artist after the 1974 movie Sri Srinivasa Kalyana. Rajkumar appeared in dual roles in the movie. The music was composed by G. K. Venkatesh. The movie was a Blockbuster and saw a theatrical run of over 175 days in multiple centres. The movie was re-released on 22 November 2019. The movie was dubbed in Malayalam in 1976 as Kollakkaran. It was later remade in Malayalam in 1980 as Manushya Mrugam starring Jayan.
Mysore Srinivas, known by his stage name Thoogudeepa Srinivas was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films and is remembered for his portrayal of negative-shaded characters. He is the father of actor, Darshan and film director Dinakar.
S. Ballesh Bhajantri is a popular Indian classical Hindustani shehnai player. He is a disciple of shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan, he is benares gharana shehnai player and a patiala gharana hindustani vocalist, ghazal singer, Indian playback singer and musician, Ballesh is credited with popularizing the shehnai, a reeded woodwind instrument. He is also a Prasar Bharati's All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan artist.
Bhagyavantharu is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by H. R. Bhargava, making his debut. The film featured an ensemble cast including Rajkumar, B. Saroja Devi, Ashok, Balakrishna and Ramakrishna playing the pivotal roles. The film was produced by Dwarakish. The dialogues and lyrics were written by Chi. Udaya Shankar. The film featured original score and soundtrack composed by Rajan–Nagendra.Puneeth Rajkumar made a brief appearance in one of the songs of this film. The movie is a remake of 1974 Tamil movie Dheerga Sumangali.
Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma is a 1986 Indian Kannada-language comedy film. The title of the film was borrowed from a devaranama written by 12th century Haridasa Purandara Dasa. This film was written and directed Singeetham Srinivasa Rao who also composed and scored the film's soundtrack. The film stars Rajkumar, Madhavi and K. S. Ashwath in the pivotal roles.
Giri Kanye is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by the Dorai–Bhagavan duo. It is based on the novel Girikannika by Bharathisutha. The film stars Rajkumar, Jayamala and Vajramuni. The film was a musical blockbuster with all the songs composed by Rajan–Nagendra considered evergreen hits. The movie saw a theatrical run of 25 weeks. Rajinikanth was initially selected to play the villain's role which was eventually played by Vajramuni.
Olavu Geluvu is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by H. R. Bhargava and produced by S. A. Srinivas. The film stars Rajkumar, Lakshmi, Balakrishna and Sampath. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh.
Kaamana Billu (transl. Rainbow) is a 1983 Indian Kannada language film directed by Chi. Dattaraj. It stars Rajkumar, Anant Nag and Saritha. The film is based on the novel Mrigathrushna by Ashwini. This climax of the movie inspired a similar sequence in the 1999 Hindi movie Mann and its Telugu remake Ravoyi Chandamama.
Premada Kanike is a 1976 Indian Kannada-language romantic thriller film directed by V. Somashekhar and written by the duo Salim–Javed. It was produced by Jayadevi under the banner of Jayadevi films. The film starred Rajkumar, Aarathi and Jayamala in lead roles with Vajramuni and Rajashankar in supporting roles. The plot follows a teacher and her nephew hired by rich family to teach their daughter. One day she witnesses a murder in a train and discovers that the murderer is the father of her student.
Sri Srinivasa Kalyana, is 1974 Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by Vijay. The film which is based on lord Venkateswara, stars Rajkumar, B. Saroja Devi and Manjula. It also featured the first screen appearances of future actors and Rajkumar's sons, Shiva Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar. The movie was dubbed in Tamil as Ezhumalaiyan Dharisanam and in Telugu as Sri Tirupatikshetra Mahatyam (1977).
Huliya Haalina Mevu is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language epic historical drama film directed by Vijay, based on a novel of the same name by Bharathisutha starring Rajkumar as Chengumani, the commander-in-chief of the 18th-century Kingdom of Coorg. Jayachitra and Jayapradha feature in pivotal roles. The movie was dubbed in Telugu as Prachanda Bheri. This was also Rajkumar's first cinemascope movie.
Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama is a 1971 Kannada-language Hindu mythological film written and directed by K. S. L. Swamy. The film stars Rajkumar, B. Saroja Devi, Aarathi and Bharathi. The film was released under Raghunandan Movies banner and the music was composed by R. Sudarsanam.
Havina Hede is a 1981 Indian Kannada-language action film directed by V. Somashekhar and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar. The film featured Rajkumar and Sulakshana playing the pivotal roles. The film was written by M. D. Sundar and had lyrics and dialogues written by Chi. Udaya Shankar.
Puneeth Rajkumar was an Indian actor known for his work in Kannada films. As a six-month-old infant, he made a cameo appearance in V. Somashekar's Premada Kanike (1976) and followed it with Sanaadi Appanna (1977) when he was a year old. Most of his earlier films had his father Rajkumar playing his reel father as well. Films like Thayige Thakka Maga, Vasantha Geetha and Bhagyavantha followed up which also showcased his singing skills. For the N. Lakshminarayan film Bettada Hoovu he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. He ended his childhood appearances with the action film Parashuram.
