Dr. Rajkumar (real name: Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Mutturaju) (April 24, 1929 – April 12, 2006) is the most popular actor in Kannada film industry. He was an icon in Karnataka and was seen as a role model to millions of Kannadigas.

"Dr.Raj" or "Annavru" (big brother) to millions of his fans, he was sometimes called the John Wayne of South Indian cinema. He acted in more than 200 movies over 50 years in Kannada. Most of his movies have become great epic films in Kannada Film Industry. He was also a well-known singer, as a playback singer as well as of devotional songs.

FILM CAREER :

Rajkumar started his career as a dramatist with his father in a troupe led by Gubbi Veeranna. There, he learned all his acting and singing skills. During his career on stage he became famous for his role as Arjuna.

Bedara Kannapa was his first movie in the lead role. He made the first independent Kannada movie called "Ranadheera Kantheerava" exclusively with pure Kannada technicians and cast, and succeeded in a big way. The same event marked the emergence of the Kannada Cinema industry as an independent entity separate from other south Indian cinema industries.

Dr. Rajkumar was also one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema. His character depictions ranged from comedy to action, from lover to double/triple roles, from mythological characters to portrayal of modern day social causes. He acted with the most popular heroines in southern Indian cinema, such as Kannada's Pandaribai, Leelavathi, Jayanti, Bharati, Arati, , Jayaprada, Madhavi, Geetha, Sarita and others from neighbouring states. He acted with many directors of the south Indian cinema from B.R. Pantulu, Puttanna Kanagal to Shankar Nag and Nagabharana. He was known for only acting in Kannada movies, even though he got many offers from different movie industries in India. Actors who have acted with him considered it an achievement of their lifetime. Prithviraj Kapoor acted in the movie Saakshatkara in the role of Dr.Rajkumar's father.

In his lifetime, Dr. Rajkumar acted in 206 Kannada movies, excluding the guest appearances. He had a film production company called Vajreshwari Combines. Bhagyada Bagilu was his 100th movie and Devatha Manushya was his 200th movie. He was also well trained in Yoga and horse riding. At his peak he is said to have worked out for 3 hours and practised pranayama, a form of meditation, every day.

Two of his most famous performances were in his own productions - Kaviratna Kalidasa and Shankar-Guru. He produced movies based on famous Kannada novels. He was ably supported by his friend and script writer Chi.Udayashankar. He chose stories which usually had a social message for the audience. He also made many movies against social evils. One such movie is Shabdavedi which is against the evil of drugs.

He never smoked a cigar/cigarette or acted as an alcoholic in any of his movies (excepting a few in the initial days of his film career). In real life too, he was a non-smoker and non-alcoholic and maintained a very high standard of living, performing daily Yogasanas and following a strict diet. Though he had numerous chances to try his hand at Indian politics owing to his mass following, he shied away from active politics focussing his energy towards art and cinema. Dr. Rajkumar still has a large fan following throughout the world

Only site dedicated to the legend