Dr.Rajkumar - An Analysis of the phenomenon

Mayachandra, a corporate film maker based in Bangalore, has done a documentary about Kannada matinee idol Dr.Rajkumar named Dr.Rajkumar - An Analysis of The Phenomenon. Mayachandra, a Masters degree holder in Communication from Emerson College, Boston, and her team took over 2 years to make the film with extensive research and collation of exclusive footage and memorabilia about Rajkumar. This film has been screened in Chicago, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram film festivals. DVD release function of the short film was jointly organized by May Flower media house and Information Department, Government of Karnataka at Badami house, Bangalore, last Sunday. Documentary was also screened after the DVD release.

Here are some highlights on the film on one of the biggest stars in Indian Cinema.

Kannada actor, Ramesh Aravind has lended his voice to the documentary in English.

Views on Dr.Raj from Amitabh Bachchan, Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan, playback singer P B Sreenivos, director Bhagavan, writers U R Ananthamurthy, K S Nisar Ahmed, Jayanth Kaikini, members of Dr.Rajkumar's family, doctors who treated Dr.Raj in his last days, Vivek Javali and Bhujanga Shetty and few ardent fans.

As Prof Nisar Ahmed says Rajkumar won the hearts of millions of Kannadigas with songs like Naaniruvude Nimagaagi and Huttidare Kannada Naadalli Huttabeku.

Dr.Bhujanga Shetty points out that after Rajkumar donating his eyes, there was steep raise in eye donations in Karnataka.

Tiptur Ramaswamy explains how dedicatedly Rajkumar used to rehearse for his roles in theatre dramas early in his career.

When he went to watch his first film 'Bedara Kannappa' in a movie hall in Mysore, Rajkumar wore a turban so that nobody could identify him.

U R Ananthamurthy tells how humble Raj was even though he had attained superstar status - When Karnataka Government wanted to fecilitate him with the first Karnataka Ratna award, he obliged only after his wish of Government first conferring the award on Kuvempu, first Jnaanapeetha awardee in Kannada was fulfilled. He says Rajkumar was clearly aware of the existence of literary world in Karnataka and was very humble about his achievements.

Above all, Dr.Rajkumar was a great human being, who ruled over the hearts of people of Karnataka for over 50 years and continue to inspire generations.

You can visit the website of this film here, where you will find making of the documentary, reviews and promos.

Here are some video clippings from the documentary.