Shiva Rajkumar

Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy (born 12 July 1962) known by his screen name Shiva Rajkumar, is an Indian actor, producer and television presenter, predominantly works in Kannada cinema.25 years of Shivaraj Kumar!
. Cinecurry.com (3 February 2011). Retrieved on 29 March 2013. He is the eldest son of legendary actor & Kannada matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar. In a career spanning over three decades, Shiva has worked in over 120 films. He has won Karnataka State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, SIIMA awards and other recognitions for his performances onscreen.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Shiva made his debut screen appearance in Singeetam Srinivasa Rao's ''Anand'' (1986), which fetched him the Cinema Express Award for Best Actor. His first three films, ''Anand'', '' Ratha Sapthami'' (1986) and ''Manamecchida Hudugi'' (1987) were all highly successful, earning him the title ''Hat-trick Hero'' coined by the media and his fans.

Fondly known as Shivanna, he has worked in the film industry for over 34 years, featuring in films such as ''Anand'', '' Ratha Sapthami'' (1986), '' Om'' (1995), '' Janumada Jodi'', '' Nammoora Mandara Hoove'', '' A. K. 47'', '' Jogi'', '' Bhajarangi'', ''Mufti'', ''Shivalinga'' and ''Tagaru'' which became milestones in the Kannada film industry and made records at the box office. In 2010, made his television debut with the talk show ''Naaniruvude Nimagagi'', aired on Zee Kannada. He will make his first film appearance outside of Kannada cinema through the Tamil film '' Jailer'' (2023). Shivanna produced a TV serial - ''Manasa Sarovara''. He was also the co-producer of two web series - ''Hate You Romeo'' (which was shot in Vietnam) and ''Honeymoon''.

Early life and family

Shiva Rajkumar was born in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, to actor Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma as the first of five children. His two brothers are Raghavendra, a film producer and actor Puneeth. Shiva did his schooling in T. Nagar, Chennai and then studied at the New College, Chennai.

On the insistence of film director K. Balachander, Shiva joined an acting school in Chennai after completing his graduation from Madras University in 1983. After training in Kuchipudi dance form under Vempetti Chinni Sathyam in Chennai during his college days, he made his entry into the Kannada film industry with ''Anand''.

Acting career

Shiva started his acting career with the film ''Anand'' in 1986 Before that, he had appeared as a child artist in a small role in the 1974 movie ''Sri Srinivasa Kalyana''. In his career spanning over 36 years, he acted in a variety of roles. The most notable movies of his career are '' Janumada Jodi'', '' Jogi'', ''Anand'', '' Ratha Sapthami'', '' Nammoora Mandara Hoove'', '' Om'' and ''Chigurida Kanasu''. He acted in '' Sugreeva'', which was shot in 18 hours. His ''Om'', directed by Upendra, set a trend of gangster movies in Kannada and other film industries in India. It continues to be shown even to this day.

In '' Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga'' (1998), Shiva played Karna, a friend of legislator Bharath Kumar (played by Ramesh Aravind), out on a mission to achieve the latter's unfulfilled goal of having a dam constructed in a village. His performance received praise; Srikanth Srinivasa of ''Deccan Herald'' called it his "best... till date". Srinivasa also praised Shiva for his performance in ''Don'' (2003), where he played a lawyer-turned-serial-killer, and wrote, "Shivanna excels in his role as the don. He has put in a spirited yet collected and controlled performance."

His film '' Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu'' was shot at the 7 wonders of the world. His 100th movie, '' Jogayya'', is the sequel to his blockbuster '' Jogi''.

'' Bhajarangi'' (2013) was a box-office success, and went on to run for more than 100 days. The film was released in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It was released in 212 theatres in the state of Karnataka alone.

Personal life

Shiva is married to Geeta, the daughter of the former Chief Minister of Karnataka Sarekoppa Bangarappa. The couple have two daughters: Niveditha and Nirupama.

In media

He was the brand ambassador of Royal Challengers Bangalore for their 11th Season of Indian Premier League. He was the second Kannada actor to buy Maruti 800 when it was launched in 1983 .

Statement about dubbing

Shiva opposed the proposal of voice dubbed movies releasing in the Kannada film industry. He openly criticized the need for voice dubbed movies in the Indian film industry.Shivarajkumar comes out against dubbing
thehindu.com (25 January 2014). Retrieved on 30 July 2014.Dubbing issue has Sudeep and Shivarajkumar in a war of words
timesofindia.com (29 January 2014). Retrieved on 30 July 2014.Kannada Film Industry in Crisis over Dubbing Issue
ibtimes.co.in (27 January 2014). Retrieved on 30 July 2014. However, once the Supreme Court gave its final verdict against the ban on dubbed movies, he announced that he would no longer oppose dubbing. He went on to say that if that is what the audience wants, he is not the one to oppose it.

Filmography

Awards and honours

Shiva has won four Film fare and four state awards in the best actor category. He has also won numerous Cine-Express, Sirigannada and ETV awards. He has lent his name for creating awareness for social causes and charity. On his birthday, "Shivarajkumar Suvarana Mahotsava Abhinandana Samithi" was formed for charity.

* Recipient of ''Kohinoor of South India'' honor by the British South India Council of Commerce and Visionnaire Entertainment - London in 2016

* Recipient of NTR National Award for 2011

Honorary awards

* Honorary doctorate from Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University of Bellary (2014).
* SIIMA Award for Social Responsibility (2012)
* The residents of Manyata Residency in Bangalore named the circle leading to his house as ''Dr. Shiva Rajkumar Circle'' on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
* He received Cinema Express Award for his debut movie Anand (1986 film)

Karnataka State Awards

Filmfare

South Indian International Movie Awards

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shiva Rajkumar
Living people
Male actors in Kannada cinema
Kannada male actors
Male actors in Telugu cinema
Indian male film actors
20th-century Indian male actors
21st-century Indian male actors
University of Madras alumni
Kannada playback singers
Filmfare Awards South winners
M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni
Male actors from Chennai
South Indian International Movie Awards winners
1962 births
Rajkumar family