The journey of legendary actor "Kannada Kantheerava" Dr Raj Kumar

Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju (24 April 1929 -- 12 April 2006), known by his screen name Rajkumar was an actor and singer in the Kannada film industry. Dr.Raj is considered a cultural icon of Kannada, where he is also known as Rajanna, Natasarvabhouma (emperor of acting, Gaana Gandharva (singer in the court of Gods), and as Annavru (beloved elder brother).
A method actor, Rajkumar entered the film industry at the age of eight and got his first break as a lead in the 1954 film Bedara Kannappa and went on to work in over 220 films. At the age of 71, he was kidnapped in Gajanur (the place where he was brought up) by forest brigand Veerappan during a 108-day ordeal when he was released. He died of cardiac arrest at his residence in Bangalore on 12 April 2006.
In his film career, Rajkumar received nine Karnataka State Film Awards, eight South Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards and a National Film Award for Best Playback Singer. He received in 2002 the NTR National Award. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore and is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.