Bengaluru, 26 November (H.S.): Kannada film super star actor singer Dr Rajkumar in his five decades career has acted over 200 movies in the lead.

From an era of black and white to Eastman colour films era he was a witness to the techno commercial change in the Film industry.

A phenomenal actor singer he essayed all kinds of roles in different genres. Devotional, Mythological, Historical, Folklore , Bond style and Social characters he played were a feast to watch.

Winner of many awards in his illustrious career, he remained humble to the core.

The glamourous world of cinema didn't change his personal life. In fact he had his priorities very clear.

During the late 1970s, he was initiated to Hatha Yoga. This was a turning point in his life.

The thespian was the best brand ambassador to Hatha Yoga as he had scaled the pinnacle of Yogic Practice. And he would experience the awakening of kundalini many a times.

In the year 1996 he was bestowed upon with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to Kannada Cinema.

From Bedara Kannappa in 1954 to Shabda Vedi in the year 2000 AD , Dr Rajkumar's professional life had come to full circle.

It was very hard to find good scripts since the thespian had essayed all kinds of roles.

For a true blue fan of Dr Rajkumar it was very difficult to confess that he or she liked each role he acted.

....In my entire career I have acted in different genres of movies. When I began my career in 1954 my only goal of life was to earn a living for my family. I accepted roles based on the messages of the story. I was very sure of my commitment to the cause of Kannada and hence rejected many offers to act in other languages...

...Kannada fims were shot in Madras earlier but today we have full fledged infrastructure for production of Kannada films. In the mid 1950s only few movies were produced but today over 100 movies are produced. In fact it has attained the status of Industry. And I am happy that I am a part of this growth.

The thespian had confessed that playing role of Saint Tukram in Santa Tukaram was one of the finest role he essayed in the earlier part of his career. I also liked playing the role of Sant Kabir he had said .

Later on playing the role of the Saint Raghavendra Swamy in Mantralaya Mahatme is close to my heart. Bhakta Kumbara was yet again a great opportunity for me to live the role .

As a matter of fact playing the role of Kaalidasa in the movie Kaviratna Kaalidasa has given me the satisfaction of having essayed the ultimate role in my life. During the sequence of acting and Singing the Shyamala Dandaka I have experienced a sense of fulfillment. Emotionally and spiritually I had decided not to act in movies post Kaviratna Kaalidasa...

...I wanted to stay in the trance of the fulfilment for ever the thespian had brought down the curtains down for the conversation at his AVM Bungalow in Sadashivanagar Bangalore.

Well for a true blue fan of the legend watching Santa Tukaram, Mantralaya Mahatme , Bhakta Kumbara, Kaviratna Kaalidasa is a feast.

The fact that these movies attract over 100 million views on You Tube validates the belief of Dr Rajkumar.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manjunath Chavan