Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1929-04-24
Day of Death
2006-04-12
Place of Birth
Gajanur, Madras Residency
Dr. Rajkumar
Biography
Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj (24 April 1929 – 12 April 2006), 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 (Emperor of Actors), Bangarada Manushya (Man of Gold), Vara Nata (Gifted actor), Gaana Gandharva (Celestial singer), Rasikara Raja (King of connoisseurs), Kannada Kanteerava and Rajanna/Annavru (Elder brother, Raj). 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 an Indian 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.
Filmography (148)
Shabdavedhi
2000
Gandhada Gudi Part 2
1994
Odahuttidavaru
1994
Akasmika
1993Jeevana Chaithra
1992
Parashuram
1989Devatha Manushya
1988
Shiva Mecchida Kannappa
1988
Ondu Muttina Kathe
1987Shruthi Seridaga
1987
Guri
1986
Anuraaga Aralithu
1986
Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma
1986
Jwalamukhi
1985
