There is a close affinity between Kannada cine actor late Rajkumar and Chikmagalur. Most of his hit movies have been shot in the district. Rajkumar’s 84th birth anniversary will be observed in Chikmagalur on Sunday. In this background, there are details on few places where his films were shot.
Kemmannugundi, Bababudangiri, Mullayyanagiri, Seethalayyanagiri are some of the scenic beauty places in the district. Rajkumar’s ‘Eradu Kanasu,’ ‘Sakshathkara,’ ‘Bangara manushya,’ ‘Bangarada panjara’ have been shot here.
Aldoor which is situated 18 kms from Chikmagalur town where most of the movies of Raj Kumar have been shot. The hillock behind Government First Grade College near shandy market in Aldoor is popularly known as ‘Sakshathkara Gudda.’ Aldoor and Havalli are known for shooting films. Rajkumar’s sons Shivarajkumar and Puneethraj Kumar have also shot the movie in and around Aldoor. In Aldoor, ‘Eradu Kanasu’ movie was shot for 15 days. He had stayed in the house of former MLA C A Chandre Gowda and had used his scooter for the movie.
Aldoor former MLA’s son Suresh says “Rajkumar can not be compared with the present day actors. He never asked for special cuisines. He ate whatever we had prepared.”
He used to wear white colour shirt and dhoti as soon as he completes his shooting for the movie. “We have kept the scooter which he had used for the movie as it is.”
After Rajkumar had won Palke award, Kadur MLA K M Krishnamurthy had invited him to Kadur and had felicitated him. Rajkumar had organised a programme to raise funds for Police Welfare Fund at DACG Polytechnic.
He had also organised a programme for the development of a college in Sringeri in Chikmagalur.