Those unfamiliar with Karnataka and the psyche of the people would have been surprised, bewildered even over the last week. What is it about this film star that makes Bangalore, and the state go wild? – they would have asked themselves and probably others. Not many can come up with an answer. Because Rajkumar is so much a part of the Kannadiga milieu that it is difficult to describe or explain why he enjoys the status he does.He just simply does. And by kidnapping him every fan of his feels violated. Hence the hysterics, the frenzy and the madness. Difficult to understand, but a reality nevertheless.

For Kannadigas, film star Rajkumar is almost a legend. His cult status is unparalleled in Kannada film industry, and in Karnataka as well. Soft spoken and gentle, he is diametrically different in real life from the dynamic, dialogue spewing hero in reel life. Nevertheless, the aura is the same on and off screen. In fact, Rajkumar is to Karnataka what MGR was for Tamil Nadu, without the political undertones of course. In fact he is so revered, that he is referred to as `Annavaru' (big brother) and his name is seldom used by fans. Rajkumar's popularity is something that has been envied by every other film star. He has the distinction of having acted in over 200 films, in the lead role in almost all of them. Not only has the film star set the silver screen on fire for the last 50 years, but has also charmed people with songs and sung almost all those picturised on him. Of late he had even started lending his voice to others, especially his two sons -Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar.

For the last four decades, the Kannada film industry has virtually revolved around this man. However, Rajkumar was not born so, not even with the name he goes about now. Born as Mutturaj in a very poor Idiga (toddy tapper) family in Singanallur, 73 years ago, his family later moved to Gajanur.

Inspiration for the little boy came in the form of his father Singanallur Puttaswame Gowda who was a theatre person. Rajkumar soon joined the famous Gubbi Veeranna theatre company. While performing the part of Ramakantha in the play ‘Bhakta Ambareesha’ the 25-year-old's prodigious talent was spotted and he was offered the lead role in Bedara Kannappa, his first film.

From then on, there has been no looking back for the soon to be uncrowned king of the Kannada film industry. He has acted in a variety of roles and many of them have come in for critical acclaim. His most famous and popular movies being Bangarada Manushya, Gandhadha Gudi, Kasturinivasa, Sannadi Appanna, even historical roles like in Babruvahana, Shankar-Guru, Akasmika, and many many more. He has so far acted in about 205 films and his most recent one Shabdavedhi, coming as it did after almost four years, was a runaway success.

But despite the astounding success, and his unshakeable hold on the Kannada film lovers, never has Rajkumar ever been involved in any unsavory incident. Not for him the star tantrums and arrogance. Instead he has always remained humble and reiterated over and over again that he owes everything to God.

He is also the most versatile actor in the Kannada film land. From comedy to action, from lover boy to double roles, from mythological characters to modern day social causes, he has carried everything with aplomb. But he is a people’s man. So much so that when he decided to retire about five years ago, his fans just would not let him be. They coaxed, cajoled, pleaded, and some even threatened to commit suicide if he did not act. The result was Shabdavedhi which came after nearly a five-year hiatus. And was instantly a runaway success. In fact, Rajkumar’s is a rare track record in the history of Kannada film industry. Almost all his films, barring his earlier ones, have all been successful. For his fans, his films are to be seen – the storyline just does not matter. It is a matter of ritual, a religious event.

That he has tremendous influence on the people of the Karnataka is evident from the reaction to his films. A firm believer and lover of Kannada, at the height of the Kannada struggle and even after the fervour died, he instilled love in the language by singing almost patriotic songs about the state and the language.In fact legend goes that he has refused to act in any other language films despite numerous offers, including turning down the Hindi mega star Amitabh Bachchan who asked him to do a guest role in his movie Coolie.

He has also been the most feted actor in Kannada. Apart from an honorary doctorate (fans get angry if he is addressed as anything but Dr Rajkumar), he has to his credit the title of Karnataka Ratna, the Padmabhushana and the Dada Saheb Phalke award.