Zee News
Bangalore, Apr 12: Kannada thespian Rajkumar passed away following a heart attack, according to his personal physician Dr Ramana Rao. He was 77 years old.
The septuagenarian actor died following cardiac arrest this afternoon, Rao told media. Rajkumar was shifted to M S Ramaiah Hospital where he breathed his last with his family members by his side, he said.
"We tried to revive him but could not succeed. We did everything," Rao said.
The 77-year-old actor, who made his debut in the film world nearly five decades ago, is a revered figure in the state.
He had been admitted to the Wockhardt Hospital and Heart Institute one-and-a-half-months ago after he complained of chest pain, bronchial allergy and lung infection.
He was discharged within days after he fully recovered.
His son Raghavendra had then said that Rajkumar was under a "lot of tension", after the recent passing away of his younger brother Varadaraj, who was the "architect of his entire film career."
Rajkumar had also been hospitalized in January following "neurological problems."
In 2000, sandalwood smuggler Veerappan had abducted Rajkumar and released him after keeping him hostage for 108 days.
Mutturaju Singanalluru Puttaswamayya or Rajkumar was born on April 24, 1929 in Gajanur. He was one of the most popular actors of Kannada movies.
Rajkumar popularly known as big brother by millions of his fans had acted in more than 200 South Indian movies. Some of his popular films include Bangaaradha Manushya, Kasturi Nivasa, Gandhadha Gudi and Jeevana Chaitra.
He was also a well-known singer.
Rajkumar had been honoured with numerous state, national and international awards. He had received an honorary doctorate from Mysore University.
He had won 10 Filmfare awards for in the Best Actor category which happens to be the second highest in the history of Indian films. He had won 9 state awards in the Best Actor category.
He had also won a National award in best singer category.
Rajkumar received the Padma Bhushan award from the Government of India and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995, in recognition of his contributions to the Kannada film industry. His fans have conferred him the title "Nata Saarvabhowma" (The Emperor of Acting).
Rajkumar had been a role model to millions. He had never smoked a cigar/cigarette or acted as drunkard in any of his movies (excepting a few in the initial days of his film career). In real life too, he was a non-smoker and non-alcoholic and maintained a very high standard of living, performing daily yoga asanas and followed a strict diet. Though he had numerous chances to try his hand in politics due to his mass following, he shied away from active politics focusing his energy towards art and cinema.