Bangaarada Manushya is a 1972 Indian Kannada language film based on T. K. Rama Rao's novel of same name. Ramarao was known for his crime and detective novels, but this film was a social drama. It was directed by S. Siddalingaiah under the banner Srinidhi Productions. Prior to this, Siddalingaiah had worked with Rajkumar in Mayor Muthanna. It stars Rajkumar and Bharathi. The film was screened for over two years at the States Theatre in Bangalore and was screened for sixty weeks in Chamundeshwari theatre in Mysore, the film Completed one year in many centres and twenty five weeks in every major and minor centre. The movie saw a 25 weeks run when it was re-released in 1988.
Lava Kusa is a 1963 Indian Hindu mythological film directed by C. S. Rao and his father C. Pullayya. The film was scripted by Sadasivabrahmam, Samudrala Sr. along with C. S. Rao and C. Pullayya. The film was produced by Sankara Reddy under Lalita Sivajyothi Films. Lava Kusa is the first full-length colour film of Telugu cinema.
Rayara Sose is a 1957 Indian Kannada-language film produced by Pandari Bai and directed by R. Ramamurthy and K. S. Murthy. It stars Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Mynavathi, H. Ramachandra Shastry, Pandari Bai and Ramadevi. The music of the film was composed by R. Diwakara. This movie has S. Janaki's first released Kannada film song Thaalalentho Shokavega. The movie speaks against the evil practice of dowry. This is Rajkumar's first social drama movie. The movie was based on a Marathi play.
Gaali Gopura is a 1962 Kannada-language film directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu. The film starred Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Leelavathi and R. Nagendra Rao. Actor Udaya Kumar made a brief guest appearance. Acclaimed director Puttanna Kanagal had assisted Panthulu for this film.
Saaku Magalu is a 1963 Kannada language romantic drama film directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu and starring Rajkumar and Sowcar Janaki. The film marked the entry of acclaimed actress Kalpana, who went on to become one of the most sought-after actresses in Kannada cinema.
Sri Krishnadevaraya is a 1970 Indian historical drama film in the Kannada language, produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. It stars Rajkumar as Krishnadevaraya, an emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century. R. Nagendra Rao, B. R. Panthulu, Narasimharaju and N. Bharathi appear in pivotal roles. The film was Rajkumar's first in color.
Vidhivilasa is a 1962 Kannada language swashbuckler film directed by S. V. Mahesh. The film stars Rajkumar, Leelavathi and K. S. Ashwath. The film is based on the story of a King who confronts destiny (fate), which appears to him in the form of a young lady, by challenging it on how he would die. The King tries in vain all means at his disposal to prevent events that destiny foretold would happen. Finally, destiny wins, employing a twisted turn of events. The film has musical score by T. Padman. The story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics were written by H. L. Narayana Rao who happens to be the father of actor Vishnuvardhan.
Maduve Madi Nodu is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani. The film stars Rajkumar, R. Nagendra Rao, Udaykumar and Narasimharaju. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. It is a remake of producer's own Telugu film Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952). The movie was a profitable venture and was declared a super hit.
Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by Hunsur Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajkumar, B. M. Venkatesh, Nagendra Rao and H. R. Shastry. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. H. R. Bhargava was the associate director of this movie.
Veera Kesari is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by B. Vittalacharya and produced by Sundarlal Nahatha and Doondi. The film stars Rajkumar, T. N. Balakrishna, Udaykumar and R. Nagendra Rao. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. S. Siddalingaiah was the assistant director of this movie. B. Vittalacharya shot the movie simultaneously in Telugu as Bandipotu, with N. T. Rama Rao.
Rajadurgada Rahasya is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film, jointly directed by A. C. Narasimha Murthy and S.K.Bhagwan and produced by A. Vasudeva Rao and T. Dwarakanath. The film stars Rajkumar, Bharathi, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and Dinesh. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh. Rajkumar plays dual roles in the movie. S.K.Bhagwan had revealed that though he was the actual director of the movie, the credits were jointly given to him and Narasimha Murthy who was the chief financier of the movie. The movie was dubbed in Tamil as Malaikotai Marmam.
Swarna Gowri is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by D. R. Naidu. The film stars Rajkumar, Krishna Kumari, Udaykumar and Narasimharaju. The film has musical score by M. Venkataraju. The movie was simultaneously shot in Telugu with the same name by the same producer and director with Kanta Rao and Krishna Kumari in the lead roles.
Bala Nagamma is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by P. R. Kaundinya and produced by Vikram Srinivas. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and Master Babu. The film has musical score by S. Rajeshwara Rao. The movie is based on one of the popular stories of the traditional folklore Burra katha.
Dharma Vijaya is a 1959 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by N. Jagannath and produced by T. Madar. The film stars Rajkumar, Narasimharaju, Siddayyaswamy and Sadashivaiah. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh. Midway through the movie, M. R. Vittal assumed the responsibilities of directing the movie and completed the shoot though he refused to be credited as the director.
Nagarjuna is a 1961 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. V. Rao and produced by K. N. Mallikarjuna. The film stars Rajkumar, Kanta Rao, G. Varalakshmi, Sandhya, Harini and Ramadevi. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. Y. V. Rao shot the movie simultaneously in Telugu as Naagaarjuna starring Kanta Rao. Rajkumar portrayed the role of Arjuna's son Iravan in the movie. He later on went on to portray the role of Arjuna's another son Babruvahana in the 1977 movie of the same name - making him the only actor to portray the role of Arjuna and his two sons. This remains the only movie in which YV Rao directed Rajkumar - since their second collaboration Hennina Baale Kanneeru was stalled after a portion of the shoot. The dialogues were written by H.L. Narayana Rao who happens to be the father of actor Vishnuvardhan.
Mahathma Kabir is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language biographical film, directed by P. Srinivas and produced by T N Reddy on mystic saint Kabir Das. The film stars Rajkumar, Krishnakumari, Udaykumar and T. D. Kusalakumari. Telugu actor Sobhan Babu made a guest appearance in this movie which is his only Kannada movie. The movie had musical score by A.Anasuyadevi - making it the first instance of a female music director in Kannada cinema.
Mahishasura Mardini is a 1959 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Rajkumar, V. Nagayya, Udaykumar and Narasimharaju. It was dubbed in seven other languages and is retrospectively identified as amongst the first major Pan-India films.
Chandrahasa is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by B. S. Ranga 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.
Anuradha is a 1967 Indian Kannada film, directed by Aruru Pattabhi and produced by Pandari Bai. The film stars Raja Shankar, Jayanthi, K. S. Ashwath and Pandari Bai in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Rajan Nagendra. Dr. Rajkumar appeared as himself in a cameo role in this movie. This was his first guest appearance role in a movie.
Valmiki is 1963 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, based on the life of Valmiki, produced by S. K. Habibulla under Jupiter Pictures and directed by C. S. Rao. The films stars N. T. Rama Rao and Rajasulochana, with music composed by Ghantasala. Director Rao and Jupiter Pictures made the film simultaneously in Kannada with the same title starring Rajkumar in the lead role retaining most of the cast and crew.
