Did you know these facts about Dr Rajkumar?

Dr Rajkumar is one of the greatest actors in the history of Kannada film industry. He is known as a legendary actor in Sandalwood. He has acted in more than 200 movies and has a huge fan base even after his demise. He made his debut in the movie ‘Bedara Kannappa’. If you are a die-hard fan of Dr Rajkumar, here are some facts about the star you would love to know.

Dr Rajkumar is one of the first artists in Sandalwood who won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Dadasaheb Phalke Award is an honour given by the Government of India to the highest performers in cinema. Dr Rajkumar was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. He is also the first actor to get a Doctorate for acting in 1976 from the University of Mysore. He is the only actor to be honoured with the 'Kentucky Colonel Honor' by the Kentucky Governor of the U.S. in 1985 as well. According to records, Rajkumar is also the only actor who has been conferred with more than 15 titles by the government and various organizations. Nata Sarvabhouma, Rasika Raja, Gana Gandharva, Bangarada Manushya, Varanata are the adulations that have been given to Dr Rajkumar in Sandalwood and by the fans.

According to records of Kannada cinema, the movie 'Bangarada Manushya' is the highest-grossing movie in the industry till date. The movie was released in 1972 and it was screened for more than 2 years in one theatre and screened in more than 5 theatres for a year.

After getting trained from the Gubbi Drama Company, Rajkumar made his debut in ‘Bedara Kannappa’ and won the National Film Award in 1954. Dr Rajkumar was not only an actor but also a singer. He has earned a reputation for singing many movie songs and devotional songs. Rajkumar is the only Kannada actor to receive a National Award for singing. In 1992, he won the National Award for the song 'Naanayam' from the movie 'Jeevana Chaitra'.

Dr Rajkumar has a huge number of fan clubs spread across India and abroad. According to records, there are over 5,000 Rajkumar fan associations worldwide. Freedom Fighter Mahatma Gandhi officially has the most number of statues in Karnataka and Dr Rajkumar is said to have more than 58 statues which is just behind that of Mahatma Gandhi in the state.

Dr Rajkumar, who was the only Kannada actor to have not acted in any other language movies, has been in the industry for almost 5 decades. He has acted in more than 220 films and did not get associated with any other industry. More than 31 of his movies have been remade in other languages. He has sung more than 300 movie songs and more than 400 devotional (non-film) songs.