Shiva Rajkumar is a renowned Indian actor, producer, and television presenter, prominent in the Kannada entertainment industry. Born in Madras, now Chennai, he is the eldest of five children to legendary actor Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar.
Rajkumar pursued his primary education in T. Nagar, Chennai, and then attended New College, Chennai, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Madras University in 1983. Following his graduation, he joined an acting school in Chennai on the recommendation of film director K. Balachander and also trained in Kuchipudi dance under Vempetti Chinni Sathyam during his college days.
Rajkumar's acting career began with a small role in the 1974 film Shri Srinivasa Kalyana. Years later, he made his debut in the Kannada film industry with Anand in 1986, for which he received the Cinema Express Award for Best Actor.
In 1986, Rajkumar married Geeta, the daughter of former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sarekoppa Bangarappa. He earned the title of 'hat-trick hero' from his fans after the success of his first three films, Anand, Ratha Sapthami, and Manamecchida Hudugi.
Rajkumar has appeared in numerous successful films, including Janumada Jodi, Nammoora Mandaara Hoove, AK 47, Jogi, Bhajarangi, Shivalinga, Mufti, and Tagaru, among others. His film Om, directed by Upendra, is still a popular and influential film in the Kannada and other film industries.
His performance in Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga was highly acclaimed, with Srikanth Srinivasa of the Deccan Herald calling it his "best performance to date". Bhajarangi was a box-office success, running successfully for over 100 days in 212 cinema halls in Karnataka alone.
Rajkumar made his television debut in 2010 with the talk show Naaniruvude Nimagagi on Zee Kannada and has also been involved in the production of the TV serial Manasa Sarovara and the co-production of the web series Hate You and Honeymoon.
Throughout his career, Rajkumar has won numerous awards, including four Filmfare Awards for Best Actor, four state awards, the NTR National Award, the SIIMA Award for Social Responsibility, and the Kohinoor of South India honour. He received his honorary doctorate from Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University of Bellary in 2014.
