Dr Rajkumar Kannada Movies, Age, Family, Wife, Biography

Name: Dr. Rajkumar (ಡಾ. ರಾಜ್‌ಕುಮಾರ್, ಅಣ್ಣಾವ್ರು)
Titles: Annaavru, Nata saarvabhauma, ನಟಸಾರ್ವಭೌಮ, Devataa Manushya, Bangarada Manushya, Karnataka Rathna
Other Names: Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju, Vara Nata, Gaana Gandharva, Rasikara Raja, Vishwa Maanava
Date Of Birth: 24 April 1929
Age: (Age at Death: 76 years 11 months 19 days)
Place Of Birth: Gajanur, Tamil Nadu
Date Of Death: 12 April 2006
Place Of Death: Bangalore, Karnataka
Wife: Parvatamma Rajkumar (Producer)
Sons: Shivaraj Kumar (Actor), Raghavendra Rajkumar (Actor), Punith Rajkumar (Actor)
Daughters: Poornima, Lakshmi
Mother: Lakshmamma
Father: Singanalluru Puttaswamayyan (Theater artist)
Sister: Sharadamma
Sister-In-Law: Sharadamma (wife of SP VaradaRaju)
Grandson: Vinay Rajkumar (Actor)
Brother-In-Law: Balakrishna (husband of sister Sharadamma)
Favorite Actor: Shivaji Ganeshan
Brother: S.P.Varadaraju
Teacher: Appannappa (both his & his father's)

Biography:

Dr. Rajkumar stands as an iconic figure in the Kannada film industry, known for his versatility in portraying various roles and delivering memorable performances. From historical epics to modern dramas, he graced the silver screen with his acting prowess and also enchanted audiences with his melodious singing.

Childhood, Family, Personal Life:

Born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju on Wednesday, 24 April 1929, in Gajanur, Tamil Nadu, to Puttaswamayya and Lakshmamma, both acclaimed theater artists, Rajkumar was the eldest son in a Kannada-speaking family. His father often played prominent negative roles in dramas, while his mother hailed from Dodda Gajanur, Tamil Nadu.

Rajkumar had a brother named S.P.Varadaraju and sisters named Sharadamma & Nagamma.

Education: Rajkumar's formal education only extended to the 3rd standard before he immersed himself in the world of drama companies, where he honed his literary skills. His proficiency in English stemmed from interactions with diverse individuals.

Marriage: Rajkumar tied the knot with Raja Gourava, later known as Parvathamma Rajkumar, who was a distant relative.

Children: Dr. Rajkumar and Parvathamma were blessed with five children, including two daughters and three sons:

Shivaraj Kumar
Laksmi Rajkumar
Raghavendra Rajkumar
Poornima Rajkumar
Puneeth Rajkumar
Shiva Rajkumar, their firstborn, has carved a niche for himself in the Kannada film industry, amassing a significant following through his noteworthy performances.

Raghavendra Rajkumar, another son, made his mark as a lead actor, particularly excelling in romantic comedies like Nanjundi Kalyana. His son Vinay Rajkumar ventured into acting with the film Siddhartha (2015).

Daughter Poornima, known for her stint as a child artist in Premada Kanike (1976), also ventured into production, notably producing Pandavaru (2006). She is married to Kannada actor Ramkumar, and their production company, "Poornima Combines," bears her name.

Puneeth Rajkumar, a prominent actor in Kannada cinema, enjoys widespread demand as both an actor and singer. With over 40 acting credits and more than 50 singing credits to his name, he continues to make significant contributions to the industry.

Relationship with Actress Leelavathi: Speculations surrounding a romantic involvement between actress Leelavathi and Dr. Rajkumar have surfaced over time. In a recent book by Ravi Belagere, the actress purportedly disclosed their romantic liaison, claiming her son Vinod Raj as Dr. Raj's child. Belagere lauded Dr. Rajkumar, not just for his acting prowess but also for his character, suggesting that his legacy would have been even greater had he publicly acknowledged their relationship.

Abduction: Dr. Rajkumar's life took a dramatic turn when he was kidnapped by Veerappan while visiting his hometown, Gajanur. Held captive for 108 days, negotiations eventually led to his release.

Death: The sudden demise of Dr. Rajkumar due to a cardiac arrest on 12 April 2006, at his residence in Sadashiva Nagar, Bangalore, left his fans in shock. His memorial at Kanteerava Studios, Bangalore, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.

Career:

Gubbi Veeranna Drama Company: Dr. Raj joined Gubbi Veeranna's company at the tender age of eight, leveraging his father Puttaswamy's influence in the industry.

Movie Debut: Dr. Rajkumar made his debut appearance in the film Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1952), albeit in a minor role as Agasthya Rishi, marking the inception of his illustrious career.

Lead Role Debut: Bedara Kannappa (1954) marked Dr. Rajkumar's foray into lead roles, a devotional drama directed by H L N Simha, where he portrayed the titular character. Director H. L. N. Simha bestowed upon him the name Rajkumar, signifying a new chapter in his cinematic journey.

Milestones: Bhaagyada Baagilu (1968) marked his 100th film, while Devataa Manushya (1988) was his 200th cinematic endeavor. His final film, Shabdavedhi (2000), directed by S Narayan, saw him tackling the role of a crusader against drug trafficking alongside Jayaprada.

Awards & Recognition:

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Rajkumar garnered numerous accolades, including:

Presidential Medal for Best Actor for Santa Thukarama (1963)
Title of Nata Saarvabhouma from the Government of Karnataka (1967)
Multiple Karnataka State Film Awards and Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor
Honorary Doctorate from Mysore University (1976)
Padma Bhushan from the Government of India (1983)
Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement (1995)
NTR National Award (2002)
Posthumous honors such as the release of postal stamps and gold coins featuring his likeness by the Government of India (2009)
Bharat Ratna nomination from the Karnataka Government (2011)
Legacy:

Dr. Rajkumar's legacy extends beyond his cinematic contributions. He was a fervent philanthropist, actively involved in initiatives such as:

Establishment of the Dr. Rajkumar Eye Bank in 1994, underscoring his commitment to eye donation awareness
Frequent participation in blood donation drives, advocating for widespread blood donation
Generous donations to charitable causes and endeavors, including fundraising for Kargil war victims
Contributions of his devotional album collections to ashrams, embodying his spiritual generosity and devotion
Dr. Rajkumar's impact transcends the realms of cinema, leaving an indelible mark on Karnataka's cultural landscape and earning him adoration and reverence from generations of fans.