Rajesh (kannada Actor)

Rajesh (kannada Actor) Biography

Rajesh is the screen name of popular Kannada actor Vidyasagar who dominated Kannada film industry during 1970s. He acted in more than 150 films. He is also known as 'Kala Thapswi'. He was one among the trios of Kumars of Kannada film industry during its golden period. Udayakumar and Kalyankumar are the rest two names and Rajesh is still known for his powerful screen presence. His works and performance are often compared to the legendary actor of Tamil, none other than Sivaji Ganeshan. Rajesh is also known as a singer. Most recently in 2014, he was awarded the Dr. Rajkumar Cultural Endowment Award by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Noted actress Aasha Rani is his daughter and south Indian star Arjun Sarja is his son-in-law.

Rajesh was born as Vidyasagar was born in 1935 in Bangalore. Since young he was attracted to movies and was grown up watching old stars on silver screen. He joined Sudarshana Nataka Mandali, a theater company without the knowledge of his parents and told his parents that he was attending tuitions. After studies Rajesh worked as a typist for some time. In parallel he carried forward his theater work. He started play direction by his own written play - ‘Nirudyogi Baalu’, and was appreciated.

His first role was ‘Sri Ramanjeneya Yuddha’, while he was continuing the job of a typist in a government office. The movie was a hit and he got more offers. The real break of his career was Namma Ooru in 1968 directed by C.V. Shivashankar. There was no turning back and he established as a star of Kannada film industry in the 1980s. Later on he moved to character roles.

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Updated: June 28, 2014