Dr. Rajkumar’s filmography is one of the most remarkable in Indian cinema history. With over 200 films and an extraordinary success ratio, he maintained dominance across five decades.

Below is a complete movie-wise hit, average and flop classification based on box office performance, industry reports and long-term reception.

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🎬 1950s Movies

Year	Movie	Verdict
1954	Bedara Kannappa	🟢 Hit
1955	Sodari	🟢 Hit
1956	Bhakta Vijaya	🟢 Hit
1956	Hari Bhakta	🟢 Hit
1956	Ohileshwara	🟢 Hit
1957	Sati Nalaayini	🟢 Hit
1957	Rayara Sose	🟢 Hit
1958	Bhookailasa	🟢 Hit
1958	Krishna Garudi	🟢 Hit
1958	Anna Thangi	🟢 Hit
1959	Jagajyothi Basaveshwara	🟢 Hit
1959	Dharma Vijaya	🟡 Average
1959	Abba Aa Hudugi	🟢 Hit

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🎬 1960–1969 Movies

Year	Movie	Verdict
1960	Ranadheera Kanteerava	🟢 Blockbuster
1960	Rani Honamma	🟢 Hit
1960	Aashasundari	🟡 Average
1960	Dashavathara	🟢 Hit
1960	Bhakta Kanakadasa	🟢 Hit
1961	Kittur Chennamma	🟢 Hit
1961	Kantheredu Nodu	🟢 Hit
1961	Kaiwara Mahathme	🟢 Hit
1961	Bhakta Chetha	🟡 Average
1961	Nagarjuna	🟢 Hit
1962	Bhoodaana	🟢 Hit
1962	Swarnagowri	🟢 Hit
1962	Devasundari	🟢 Hit
1962	Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu	🟡 Average
1962	Mahathma Kabir	🟢 Hit
1962	Vidhivilasa	🟡 Average
1962	Thejaswini	🟢 Hit
1963	Valmiki	🟢 Hit
1963	Nanda Deepa	🟢 Hit
1963	Kanyarathna	🟢 Hit
1963	Gowri	🟢 Hit
1963	Jeevana Tharanga	🟢 Hit
1963	Malli Madhuve	🟢 Hit
1963	Kulavadhu	🟢 Hit
1963	Kalitharoo Henne	🟡 Average
1963	Veerakesari	🟢 Hit
1963	Mana Mechchida Madadi	🟢 Hit
1963	Sathi Shakthi	🟢 Hit
1963	Chandrakumara	🟢 Hit
1963	Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha	🟢 Hit
1963	Navakoti Narayana	🟢 Hit
1963	Chandavalliya Tota	🟡 Average
1964	Shivarathri Mahathme	🟢 Hit
1964	Tumbida Koda	🟢 Hit
1964	Shivagange Mahathme	🟢 Hit
1964	Prathigne	🟢 Hit
1964	Naandi	🟡 Average
1965	Nagapooja	🟢 Hit
1965	Chandrahasa	🟢 Hit
1965	Sarvagnamoorthy	🟡 Average
1965	Vaatsalya	🟢 Hit
1965	Satya Harishchandra	🟢 Blockbuster
1965	Mahasathi Anasuya	🟢 Hit
1965	Ide Maha Sudina	🟢 Hit
1965	Bettada Huli	🟢 Hit
1965	Sati Savithri	🟢 Hit
1965	Maduve Madi Nodu	🟢 Hit
1965	Pativrathaa	🟡 Average
1966	Mantralaya Mahatme	🟢 Hit
1966	Kathari Veera	🟢 Hit
1966	Bala Nagamma	🟢 Hit
1966	Toogudeepa	🟢 Hit
1966	Premamayi	🟢 Hit
1966	Kilaadi Ranga	🟢 Hit
1966	Madhumalathi	🟡 Average
1966	Yemme Thammanna	🟢 Hit
1966	Mohini Bhasmaasura	🟢 Hit
1966	Sri Kannika Parameshwari Kathe	🟢 Hit
1966	Sandhyaraaga	🟡 Average
1967	Parvathi Kalyana	🟢 Hit
1967	Sati Sukanya	🟢 Hit
1967	Gange Gowri	🟢 Hit
1967	Lagnapatrike	🟢 Hit
1967	Rajadurgada Rahasya	🟢 Hit
1967	Devara Gedda Manava	🟢 Hit
1967	Beedi Basavanna	🟡 Average
1967	Manassiddare Maarga	🟢 Hit
1967	Bangarada Hoovu	🟢 Super Hit
1967	Chakratheertha	🟢 Hit
1967	Immadi Pulakeshi	🟢 Hit
1968	Jedara Bale	🟢 Hit
1968	Gandhinagara	🟢 Hit
1968	Mahasathi Arundathi	🟢 Hit
1968	Manassakshi	🟡 Average
1968	Sarvamangala	🟢 Hit
1968	Bhaagyadevathe	🟢 Hit
1968	Bangalore Mail	🟢 Hit
1968	Hannele Chiguridaaga	🟢 Hit
1968	Bhaagyada Baagilu	🟢 Hit
1968	Rowdi Ranganna	🟢 Hit
1968	Dhoomaketu	🔴 Flop
1968	Amma	🟢 Hit
1968	Simhaswapna	🟢 Hit
1968	Mannina Maga	🟢 Hit
1969	Maargadarshi	🟢 Hit
1969	Gandondu Hennaru	🟡 Average
1969	Mallammana Pavada	🟢 Hit
1969	Choori Chikkanna	🟢 Hit
1969	Punarjanma	🟢 Hit
1969	Bhale Raja	🟡 Average
1969	Uyyale	🟢 Hit
1969	Chikkamma	🟢 Hit
1969	Mayor Mutthanna	🟢 Super Hit
1969	Operation Jackpot CID 999	🟢 Hit

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🎬 1970–2000 Movies (Continued)

Year	Movie	Verdict
1970	Sri Krishnadevaraya	🟢 Blockbuster
1970	Karulina Kare	🟢 Hit
1970	Hasiru Thorana	🟢 Hit
1970	Bhupathi Ranga	🟡 Average
1970	Mr Rajkumar	🟢 Hit
1970	Bhale Jodi	🟢 Hit
1970	CID Rajanna	🟢 Hit
1970	Nanna Thamma	🟢 Hit
1970	Baalu Belagithu	🟢 Hit
1970	Devara Makkalu	🟢 Hit
1970	Paropakari	🟢 Hit
1971	Kasturi Nivasa	🟢 Cult Blockbuster
1971	Baala Bandhana	🟢 Hit
1971	Kulagaurava	🟢 Hit
1971	Namma Samsaara	🟢 Hit
1971	Kaasidre Kailasa	🟡 Average
1971	Thaayi Devaru	🟢 Hit
1971	Prathidhwani	🟡 Average
1971	Saakshaathkaara	🔴 Flop
1971	Nyayave Devaru	🟢 Hit
1972	Bangarada Manushya	🟢 Industry Blockbuster
1972	Hrudaya Sangama	🔴 Flop
1972	Kranti Veera	🟢 Hit
1972	Bhale Huchcha	🟢 Hit
1972	Nanda Gokula	🟢 Hit
1972	Jaga Mechchida Maga	🟢 Hit
1973	Gandhada Gudi	🟢 Cult Blockbuster
1973	Doorada Betta	🔴 Flop
1973	Devaru Kotta Tangi	🟢 Hit
1973	Bidugade	🟡 Average
1973	Swayamvara	🟢 Hit
1974	Bangarada Panjara	🟢 Hit
1974	Eradu Kanasu	🟢 Super Hit
1974	Sampathige Savaal	🟢 Blockbuster
1974	Bhakta Kumbaara	🟢 Hit
1974	Srinivasa Kalyana	🟢 Hit
1975	Daari Tappida Maga	🟢 Hit
1975	Mayura	🟢 Classic Hit
1975	Trimurthy	🟢 Hit
1976	Premada Kaanike	🟢 Hit
1976	Bahaddur Gandu	🟢 Hit
1976	Raja Nanna Raja	🟢 Hit
1976	Naa Ninna Mareyalare	🟢 Super Hit
1976	Badavara Bandhu	🟢 Hit
1977	Babruvaahana	🟢 Blockbuster
1977	Bhaagyavantaru	🟢 Hit
1977	Girikanye	🟢 Hit
1977	Sanaadi Appanna	🟢 Musical Hit
1977	Olavu Geluvu	🔴 Flop
1978	Shankar Guru	🟢 Blockbuster
1978	Operation Diamond Racket	🔴 Flop
1979	Huliya Haalina Mevu	🟢 Hit
1979	Naanobba Kalla	🟢 Hit
1980	Ravichandra	🟢 Hit
1980	Vasanta Geetha	🟢 Hit
1981	Haavina Hede	🔴 Flop
1981	Nee Nanna Gellalare	🔴 Flop
1981	Keralida Simha	🟢 Hit
1982	Hosa Belaku	🟢 Hit
1982	Haalu Jenu	🟢 Hit
1982	Chalisuva Modagalu	🟢 Hit
1983	Kaviratna Kalidasa	🟢 Hit
1983	Kaamana Billu	🟡 Average
1983	Bhakta Prahlada	🟢 Hit
1983	Eradu Nakshatragalu	🟢 Hit
1984	Samayada Gombe	🟢 Hit
1984	Shraavana Banthu	🟢 Hit
1984	Yaarivanu	🟡 Average
1984	Apoorva Sangama	🟢 Hit
1985	Ade Kannu	🔴 Flop
1985	Jwaalamukhi	🟢 Hit
1986	Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma	🟢 Hit
1986	Anuraaga Aralithu	🟢 Blockbuster
1986	Guri	🔴 Flop
1987	Ondu Muttina Kathe	🔴 Flop (Cult)
1987	Shruthi Seridaaga	🟢 Hit
1988	Devathaa Manushya	🟢 Hit
1989	Parashurama	🔴 Flop
1992	Jeevana Chaitra	🟢 Blockbuster
1993	Aakasmika	🟢 Super Hit
1994	Odahuttidavaru	🟢 Hit
2000	Shabdavedhi	🟢 Hit

When we talk about Kannada cinema, one name stands above all Dr. Rajkumar. A cultural icon, a legendary performer and a symbol of Karnataka’s identity, his filmography is not just a list of movies, it’s a journey through the evolution of an entire film industry.

With a career spanning over five decades and more than 200 films, Dr. Rajkumar set benchmarks that remain untouched even today. From mythological epics to social dramas, from action entertainers to experimental cinema, he did it all.

The Rise of a Legend (1954–1962)

Dr. Rajkumar’s journey as a lead actor began with Bedara Kannappa (1954) a film that not only made him a star but also laid the foundation for Kannada cinema’s commercial success.

Early Phase Highlights

• Strong presence of mythological and devotional films
• Frequent collaborations with actresses like Pandari Bai and Leelavathi
• Rapid growth in popularity due to his powerful screen presence and voice

Notable Films

• Bedara Kannappa – Blockbuster
• Bhakta Vijaya – Hit
• Hari Bhakta – Hit
• Ranadheera Kanteerava – Industry Hit (Milestone Film)

This era established him as a bankable star and a performer with immense versatility.

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Golden Run (1963–1971)

This period is often referred to as the “Golden Age” of Dr. Rajkumar.

Record-Breaking Feat

• Minimum 10 releases every year
• 16 films in 1968 alone a record that stood for decades

Trends

• Dominance in family dramas, social themes and folklore
• High success ratio nearly 80–90% films were hits or above average

Major Hits

• Kasturi Nivasa – Cult Classic
• Bangarada Hoovu – Super Hit
• Mayor Mutthanna – Hit
• Gandhinagara – Hit
• Jedara Bale – Trendsetter (Spy Genre)

This phase cemented him as “Natasarvabhouma” (Emperor of Acting).

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Peak Stardom & Cultural Impact (1972–1980)

If there’s one phase where Rajkumar became more than an actor, it’s this.

Turning Point Film

Bangaarada Manushya (1972)

• Industry-defining success
• Longest-running South Indian film at the time
• Elevated Rajkumar to demigod status

Key Characteristics

• Strong social messages
• Rural upliftment themes
• Emotional storytelling

Major Hits

• Bangaarada Manushya – All-Time Blockbuster
• Gandhada Gudi – Cult Classic (Wildlife Conservation theme)
• Mayura – Historical Classic
• Sampathige Savaal – Mass Hit
• Babruvahana – Mythological Success

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Experimental Phase & Risk-Taking (Late 70s–1980s)

Even at the peak of his career, Rajkumar never hesitated to take risks and this phase proves it.

Notable Flops (Now Cult Classics)

1. Ondu Muttina Kathe (1987)

• Directed by Shankar Nag
• Based on The Pearl by John Steinbeck
• Shot in Maldives with advanced underwater techniques
• Featured a rare underwater fight with an octopus

Ahead of its time. Today considered a technical masterpiece.

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2. Sakshatkara (1971)

• Directed by Puttanna Kanagal
• Bold theme questioning blind belief in horoscopes
• High expectations due to star power

Failed commercially but later recognized for its progressive storytelling.

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3. Operation Diamond Racket (1978)

• Part of the famous CID 999 spy series
• High-budget film with advanced sets and production design

Did not recover costs but remains a fan-favorite spy thriller.

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Less Successful Films (Post-1972)

While Rajkumar maintained an extraordinary success rate, a few films underperformed:

• Haavina Hede
• Olavu Geluvu
• Nee Nanna Gellalare
• Ondu Muttina Kathe
• Sakshatkara
• Hrudaya Sangama
• Doorada Betta
• Ade Kannu
• Parashurama
• Guri

Important Note:
Most of these films are critically appreciated today despite their box office performance.

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Versatility That Defined Generations

Rajkumar wasn’t just an actor he was an institution.

Singer

• National Award-winning playback singer
• Songs still widely loved

Producer

• Produced landmark films like Ranadheera Kanteerava

Roles Played

• Kings & warriors
• Saints & philosophers
• Farmers & common men
• Dual & triple roles
• Mythological characters (Rama, Krishna, Ravana)

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Awards & Achievements

• National Film Award (Best Male Playback Singer)
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award
• Padma Bhushan
• Karnataka State Awards (Multiple)
• NTR National Award

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Success Ratio & Legacy

Key Statistics

• 200+ films
• 39 films remade 63 times in 9 languages
• ~90% success rate

👉 This makes him one of the most successful actors in Indian cinema history.

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Final Phase (1990s–2000)

After a brief hiatus, he returned with:

• Jeevana Chaitra (1992) – Blockbuster comeback
• Aakasmika (1993) – Super Hit
• Odahuttidavaru (1994) – Hit
• Shabdavedhi (2000) – Final film

Watch more about Dr. Rajkumar and his iconic films in this channel