Raghavendra Rajkumar (Raganna), who won hearts with his films is still known for his role in Nanjundi Kalyana. The humble man is devoid of starry airs. He has fought many battles — physical and emotional —including depression and failing health and and has conquered them.
He shows his strength not with muscles but with words and his quiet demeanour. Raganna, has been in the news for his role as a villain with Chillum. He starts by setting the record right. “I am not doing it. Fans, friends and well-wishers were upset and told me I might have to represent vices – such as smoking, drinking and using bad language on screen, which my father was against. I was debating it when Ammana Mane happened. Nikhil Manjoo thought the script was apt for me and when I heard the story, I could see myself in that role,” says Raganna.
Raganna was not very excited and apprised Nikhil about his physical condition. “My left side is paralysed. I told him not to burden himself with someone like me. I have seen my days of glory and fame,” reveals Raganna. He adds, “I was bowled over with the director’s response. Nikhil said he has seen me as a dutiful son, as a spokesperson for the family, always appealing to the public for peace, especially during the kidnapping of my father and later when he passed away. Nikhil wanted me to be a part of his film as he found me to be living that role in reality.”
THE HINDU DAILY: Parvathamma Raj Kumar wif of Mr. Rajkumar, offer sweet to Kannada matnee idol Dr. Rajkumar at his house on the ocassion of his 77th birth anivarsary while his sons Punit and Raghavedra look on, in Bangalore on Sunday. Large number of fans gathered from morning to have a glimps of him Photo: V_Sreenivasa_Murthy_BANGALORE_23.04.2005
Raganna says Ammana Mane “is a balance between a man and his mother and between him and the mother of his child. That hit me hard. When I had a stroke, I saw my wife take on the role of my mother – caring for my every need, watching over me and nurturing me back to health. Before this I had taken my life and wife for granted... We tend to be commanding towards our wife and forget that she is willing to give everything up for us,” shares the actor, who commends his wife, Mangala, for her “patience and perseverance in standing beside me all through. I understand the meaning of Ardha-Nareshwara , after seeing the sacrifice of my wife.”
Intially, he was in denial about his health and when reality hit him, depression set in. “That was when I treated her most harshly, but she handled every situation with grace and dignity. Who says I lost my mother? I found her in my wife. My father always taught me to never look at my wife as an object of lust, but to look for my mother in her. Those words became true when I fell sick,” says an emotional Raganna.
That moment
“Who says a mother cannot be replaced? During my troubled times I have been blessed with the best maternal care. Dr Rekha is one such lady. Six years ago, on Bakrid, it was a holiday at the gym. Being stubborn, I went and was on the treadmill. I felt uneasy and felt a current pass through my body. Yet, I wanted to complete my day’s quota of exercise so I could feast on a little extra biriyani . It just happened that Dr Rekha, a gynaecologist and a friend, saw my car and came to meet me. Once she saw me, she arranged for the treadmill to be stopped, dragged me from the fourth floor and took me to the hospital. She knew it was a stroke and arranged for the ICU to be set and ready while driving me there. She is my next mother. Had she not been there and helped, I would not be here sitting and talking. I experienced parental love from my elder brother (Shivarajkumar) and his wife during my painful days. My life is filled with great people who have done so much to bring me back from my death bed.”
Through the valley
Times have been hard in the past few years. My father was kidnapped, then he passed away. I fell ill and my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was a fighter and fought hard, especially in her last days. She felt guilty that she had pressurised me to take on the family business and that had led to my ill health. That feeling, I think, ate into her mind and body more than the cancer. But, I feel grateful to her for putting her faith in me as I have learnt to handle the business now.
The bright side
I feel this stroke is a blessing from God. It gave me time to slow down, sit and think about the values my parents taught me. The first reality that struck me was that I could no longer act and the industry did not suffer due to my absence. Yet, cinema lives in me and no one can take that away. I may not have been on screen, but have been involved in listening to scripts and choosing films for my son and brothers.
The other reality is that we have the best treatment here, yet we went abroad. We stayed there for months and I saw no improvement. But here, I proudly say that I am better. I am grateful to the doctors here, who helped me grow in strength.
New purpose
I feel God has kept me alive to do something special for people. My family is thrilled about my film career taking off again. But, I want to use my name to help others like me. At the hospital I saw younger men lying paralysed. Ammana Mane is my way of telling them there is hope, life is not over, it can start all over again. My wife and I want to encourage those suffering, meet them in person and counsel them. My message to families of suffering patients through this film and my life is that no matter what trials you are going through now, don’t give up as we need the support of our family and friends.”
