Describing thespian Rajkumar as the cultural icon of Karnataka and inseparable part of Kannada films, yesteryear actor B. Saroja Devi on Friday called upon the present generation artistes to emulate the values cherished by the actor.
Inaugurating Retrospective of Dr. Rajkumar films — a part of ongoing 6th Bangalore International Film Festival at Sulochana Auditorium — Ms. Saroja Devi, one of the successful woman stars in the history of Indian cinema said: “The growth of Kannada industry is possible if the present generation actors adopt ideals cherished by legendary actor.”
Observing that Dr. Rajkumar acted in only Kannada films, Saroja Devi, who etched an indelible impression in the memory of film audience through her electrifying performance as a patriotic queen (Kittur Rani Channamma), recounted her experience in films where she was paired opposite to him.
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Recalling, how Parvathamma Rajkumar stood by the actor and dedicated her life for the growth of legendary figure, she likened Ms. Parvathamma to Janaki (wife of legendary actor-turned-politician M.G. Ramachandran) and Kamalamma (wife of Sivaji Ganesan). An emotionally charged Ms. Parvathamma Rajkumar could not speak even a word in the beginning. However, she just thanked the film industry for remembering Dr. Rajkumar in a right way. President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce H.D. Gangaraju said that Kannada film industry experienced Dr. Rajkumar’s absence whenever crisis cropped up, as he used to take the lead in resolving issues.
Bhakta Kanakadasa — a 1960 classic of Dr. Rajkumar was the opening film of his retrospective. His other films including Kasturi Nivasa , Babruvahana , Shankar Guru and Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma will be screened in the next six days.