Celebrating Shivanna, 100 not out!

Kannada actor Rajkumar's family is in celebration mood. The week for them began with actor-producer Raghavendra Rajkumar's birthday and soon to follow will be a function to mark 100 days of his sibling Puneet's film Hudugaru. But above all, what is keeping the family in high spirits is Shivarajkumar's 100th film Jogayya that will release later this week.

Doting brother Raghavendra gives short takes on the person behind the personality called Shivarajkumar .

Kindness, thy name is Shivu

I remember an incident that took place 40 years ago in Chennai. My family was travelling in a car and when we stopped at a signal, a young boy came begging for alms. He was bare-chested and Shivanna without thinking twice removed his shirt and gave it to him.

When my mom questioned him, he said that he was inside a car that kept him warm and the beggar was more in need of the clothing. He is very generous. Even when we go abroad, he tips the waiters generously despite us reminding him that he is spending in dollars and not rupees! Just like our father, giving comes easily to Shivu

The impulsive spender

As kids, we all got pocket money from our mother and Shivu was the first one to spend it all. In fact, it would be gone in a day's time! He was and continues to be an impulsive shopper. I, on the other hand, was the good boy, who saved up. But Shivanna used to butter me up and convince me to part with my money too. He would say that he would share his next month's pocket money with me.

Somehow I could never say no to him. But what was heartening was that he used to spend not just on himself but on his friends too. He still loves buying gifts for his friends.  

High on cinema

He is a workaholic. In our friends circle, the joke goes that he is like a school boy who has a nine to six schedule. He shoots almost every day and it's difficult to keep him pinned to one place for more than a few minutes.

I wonder how he will keep himself busy once he decides to do just one or two films a year like our father started doing in the later stages of his career.

Age no bar

When Shivanna entered the industry, he was noted for his dancing. All the choreographers thus wanted to work with him. Most of them were senior to him in age but my brother gelled well with them. His combination with Udupi Jayaram, who was our father's age, was a super hit.

Namoora Mandara Hoove is a classic example of their work together. He has worked with both veterans like M P Shankar and Rajendra Babu, and with newcomers like Gurudut and Mahesh. Post his 100 film also you'll see him working with newcomers.  

The centurion

It is an achievement to have completed 100 films. There are very high expectations from the film and as a fan I am also waiting for the film to release. While the 100 films is no doubt special, it can't be forgotten that Shivanna was different from his very first film. And not just his first film, Anand, but also his next two films, Rathasapthami and Manamechida Hudugi, were huge hits.

25 years of filmdom

This year not only marks Shivanna's 25 years of marriage to Geetha but also his 25 years in the film industry. We thank people for having accepted Shivanna's films.

Irrespective of the flops, people have kept their hopes in him and wished for the best. Being Rajkumar's sons has only added to the love and blessings. 

Inspector Vikram was father's favourite

Our father liked him in Inspector Vikram. His character had comic shades and he played a traffic policeman in the film.

Whenever we went on family holidays, father carried with him the cassette of Inspector Vikram and all of us watched it together. Modada Mareyalli, Om and Jogi were his other favourites.