Kannada superstar Rajkumar gets special honour from Google on 88th birthday

He was the first superstar of Kannada filmdom. On his 88th birthday on Monday, late superstar Rajkumar got a rare honour in the form of Google doodle. Considering not many southern stars get such an honour, this was considered rare and special. The doodle features Rajkumar staring into audiences from a movie screen.

With over 200 films to his credit from a career spanning over four decades, Rajkumar was popular for acting as well as singing capabilities. Unlike any other actor, he holds a record for singing over 300 songs in his highly successful career. Born in 1929 as Ambrish Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju, he was rechristened as Rajkumar for his on screen avatar. In 1954, he made his acting debut with Kannada film Bedara Kannappa, and he went on to star in the film’s Telugu remake as well. Having acted in a variety of films across genres, some of his best movies include Ranadheera Kanteerava, Kaviratna Kalidasa, Jedara Bale and Gowri among others.

A recipient of Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Rajkumar’s sons Shivrajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar are also popular Kannada actors.