New Delhi: Dr Rajkumar was born on April 24, 1928 at Gajanur. Originally known as Muthuraju, the actor started his career as a theatre artist. He entered into films in 1954 with Bedara Kannappa. The actor has over 208 films to his credit in which, he portrayed a lover boy, action hero and mythologcial characters with great ease. Most of his films were a huge box-office success. Dr Rajkumar was also a well-known singer. He has also won a National film award in the best male playback singer category in 1992 for Naadamaya, from the film Jeevana Chaitra.
Actors who have worked with him, knew Dr Rajkumar as the most disciplined person who adored simplicity. His fitness mantra included yoga which kept him fit both physically and mentally.
Today is Dr Rajkumar's 84th birthday .
Also known as Natasarvabhouma, Gaana Gandharva and as Annavru by his fans, will always be remembered today and everyday.
Raghavendra Rajkumar shares with us some of his fond memories of his father: Though my father is always with us, we miss him a lot on this particular day especially during pooja time and when we visit his Samadhi.
I recall the days how our house used to be filled with people and Appaji used to distribute sweets to every body there, who came to wish him.
It is quite nostalgic to see the same feeling among his fans even today, who come in large numbers to celebrate his birth anniversary.
He's still alive and he's there amongst us and his fans. Come April, my mother becomes totally quiet. She's lost in my father's thoughts. Though she's a part of every function and pooja during this time, she prefers to be left alone right from April 12 to 24. She reminisces a lot about her days spent with her husband.
However, she soon gets back to normal. My father wanted to do this film, Bhakta Ambarisha, which could never be fulfilled because he's not there anymore to do the film.
His other unfulfilled dream was that he wanted Appu, my brother Puneeth Rajkumar, to don the role of Bahubali in a film on Gomateshwara. But my brother is waiting for the right time to work on such a big project. He will only think about doing this film only when and if he finds, a good writer, director and a perfect crew who can do well. We miss him today and every single day.
It's been 7 years, and we have been following the same routine.
We miss his presence on his birthday. But for me, he's still alive as I see him in every part of Karnataka. I get to see his posters everywhere. Everyday I talk about him to someone and a lot of people who meet me have something to say about the 'legend'.
I never miss him. I'm happy and proud and to be a part of the huge celebration.
The love and respect that the fans have for my father will always be cherished.
The blood donations and eye camps organised by his fans is something which will be remembered every year.
I don't think my father had any such unfulfilled dreams. Of course, he wanted to do films, like Nrupathunga and Bharathesha Vaibahava. But we have a lot of dreams to be fulfilled.
As of now, we have an award in his name for which, we give away cash prize, every year.
Now the book, which I have written about him, has finally been completed. It will be released in May. We have formed a trust in his name through which, we will organise activities on a regular basis.
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