Shiva Rajkumar, born on July 12, 1962, (62 Years Old) in Madras (now Chennai), is one of the most loved actors in Kannada cinema. Being the eldest son of the legendary actor Dr. Rajkumar, it’s no surprise that he found his way into films early on.
His childhood was filled with the influence of music, movies, and discipline, which shaped him into the star he is today.
With a long-running career and impressive net worth, Shiva Rajkumar has built a name that fans respect across generations.
If you’re curious to know more, you can check out his wiki, personal life, career, and education right here.
Wiki
| Birth Name | Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor, Film, Producer, Playback Singer |
| Famous As | Actor |
| Nick Name | Shivanna |
| Date of Birth | 12 July 1962 |
| Age | 62 Years Old |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Madras (now Chennai) |
| Hometown | Chennai |
| Country | India |
| Mother Tongue | Tamil |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Food Habits | Non-vegetarian |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry |
| School Name | A school in T. Nagar, Chennai |
| College/University | – New College, Chennai – M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute, Chennai |
| Debut | Film (Kannada) (as a child actor): Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974) as Master Puttaswamy Film (Kannada) (as an actor): Anand (1986) as Anand Film (Kannada) (playback singing): Song “O Meghave” from the film Ranaranga (1988) |
Family
Dr. Rajkumar, a famous actor and singer, was the father. His wife, Parvathamma, worked as a film distributor and producer. Both of them have passed away.
They had three sons—Raghavendra Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar (who is also deceased), and a daughter named Lakshmi. Another daughter in the family is Poornima.
| Father Name | Dr. Rajkumar (deceased) (actor and singer) |
|---|---|
| Mother Name | Parvathamma (deceased) (film distributor and producer) |
| Brother Name | Raghavendra Rajkumar Puneeth Rajkumar (deceased) |
| Sister Name | Lakshmi Poornima |
Physical Appearance
Shiva Rajkumar is around 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is about 173 cm or 1.73 meters. He weighs roughly 65 kg, or around 143 pounds.
He has black eyes and black hair. The information about his body measurement is yet to be updated.
| Height (Approx.) | in centimeters – 173 cm in meters – 1.73 m in feet inches – 5’ 8” |
|---|---|
| Weight (Approx.) | in kilograms – 65kg in pounds – 143.3 lbs |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Relationship Status
Shiva Rajkumar is married to Geetha Shivarajkumar, who is a politician. They have two daughters, Niveditha and Nirupama, and no sons.
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Geetha Shivarajkumar (Politician) |
| Children | Son– None Daughter– 2 • Niveditha • Nirupama |
Shiva Rajkumar Career
Shiva Rajkumar is a popular actor in Kannada cinema known for his powerful roles and long career.
He started acting in the 1980s and has appeared in over 125 films, playing everything from gangsters to folk artists.
Early Steps in Cinema
Shiva Rajkumar, affectionately called Shivanna, began his cinematic journey as a child artist in the 1974 film Sri Srinivasa Kalyana.
After completing his education, he made a significant debut in 1986 with the film Anand, directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao.
Breakthrough Roles
In the 1990s, Shivanna delivered several iconic performances. His role in Om (1995), directed by Upendra, set a trend for gangster movies in Kannada cinema.
Another notable film was Janumada Jodi (1996), which showcased his versatility as an actor.
Diverse Characters and Acclaim
Throughout his career, Shiva Rajkumar embraced a variety of roles. In Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga (1998), he portrayed Karna, earning critical acclaim for his performance. His portrayal of a lawyer-turned-serial-killer in Don (2003) was also well-received.
Milestones and Recent Projects
Shivanna’s 100th film, Jogayya (2011), was a sequel to the blockbuster Jogi. In 2017, he starred as mobster Bhairathi Ranagal in Mufti, a film that received both critical acclaim and commercial success.
His collaboration with director Duniya Suri in Tagaru (2018) marked another significant milestone, with the film being hailed as one of the biggest hits of his career.
Continued Evolution
In 2022, Shiva Rajkumar made a cameo in his brother Puneeth’s posthumous release James, also lending his voice for the film’s concluding portions.
He took on the role of Shivappa, a folk artist specializing in pulivesha, in Vijay Milton’s Bairagee.
His 125th film, Vedha (2022), directed by A. Harsha, showcased his enduring appeal and versatility.
Venturing into New Territories
The year 2023 marked Shivanna’s debut in Tamil cinema with a cameo as gangster Siddhantha in R. Chandru’s Kabzaa. He further expanded his horizons by joining the cast of Rajinikanth’s Jailer (2023), where his portrayal of Narasimha was well-received by audiences and critics alike.
Ongoing Projects
Shiva Rajkumar’s role in the Tamil film Captain Miller was confirmed in December 2022. He is also set to reprise his role as Bhairathi Ranagal in a prequel to Mufti, announced in May 2023. His heist film Ghost was released in October 2023, marking his first collaboration with director Sreenivas.
Awards and Honours
Shiva Rajkumar has won four Filmfare Awards and four Karnataka State Awards for Best Actor. Along with that, he’s also picked up several other awards from Cine-Express, Sirigannada, and ETV. He’s often supported social causes and charity work. In fact, on his birthday, a group called “Shivarajkumar Suvarana Mahotsava Abhinandana Samithi” was formed to support charity efforts.
In 2016, he was honored as the “Kohinoor of South India” by the British South India Council of Commerce and Visionnaire Entertainment in London. He received the NTR National Award for the year 2011 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University in Bellary in 2014.
He also got the SIIMA Award for Social Responsibility in 2012. On his 60th birthday, the circle near his home at Manyata Residency in Bangalore was named “Dr. Shiva Rajkumar Circle.” He had also received the Cinema Express Award for his debut film Anand.
Karnataka State Awards
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
| 1995–96 | Best Actor | Om | Won |
| 1999–2000 | Best Actor | Hrudaya Hrudaya | Won |
| 2003–04 | Best Actor | Chigurida Kanasu | Won |
| 2005–06 | Best Actor | Jogi | Won |
Filmfare Awards South
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
| 1995 | Best Actor | Om | Won |
| 1996 | Best Actor | Nammoora Mandara Hoove | Won |
| 1999 | Best Actor | A. K.47 | Won |
| 2010 | Best Actor | Thamassu | Won |
| 2005 | Best Actor | Jogi | Nominated |
| 2013 | Best Actor | Bhajarangi | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Actor | Vajrakaya | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Actor | Santheyalli Nintha Kabira | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Actor | Mufti | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Actor | Tagaru | Nominated |
| 2024 | Best Actor | Ghost | Nominated |
South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA)
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
| 2012 | SIIMA Award for Social Responsibility | — | Won |
| 2013 | Best Actor | Shiva | Won |
| 2014 | Best Actor | Bhajarangi | Won |
| 2017 | Best Actor | Shivalinga | Won |
| 2018 | Best Actor | Mufti | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Actor | Tagaru | Nominated |
| 2024 | Entertainer of the Year | Kabzaa, Jailer & Ghost | Won |
| 2024 | Excellence in Cinema Award | — | Won |
Controversies
Shiva Rajkumar has mostly stayed away from big controversies, but a few situations have made news over the years. Here are some of the well-known ones:
| Date | Controversy | Details |
| 2014 | Opposition to Dubbing | Shiva Rajkumar, along with other actors, opposed the introduction of voice-dubbed films in Kannada cinema, arguing it could harm the local industry. |
| 2022 | Comment on Darshan’s Arrest | Following actor Darshan’s arrest in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, Shiva Rajkumar expressed sadness over the situation, sympathizing with both families involved. |
| 2024 | Response to Fan Criticism | Fans criticized Shiva Rajkumar for not including a photo of his late brother, Puneeth Rajkumar, in his film ‘Bhairathi Ranagal’. He responded by emphasizing his way of honoring his brother. |
Net Worth & Salary
Shiva Rajkumar’s net worth is $ 27.6 million (INR 230 crore). The information about his salary is yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in USD (Approx.) | $27.6 Million |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | ₹230 Crores |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹6 Cr per Movie |
| Car & Bike Collection | Range Rover Sport, Volvo S90, Toyota Fortuner |
| Income Source | Acting, Film Making |
Social Media Handles
| @nimmashivarajkumar | |
| @NimmaShivanna | |
| @NimmaShivanna |
Interesting Facts About Shiva Rajkumar
- Shiva Rajkumar was one of the first Kannada actors to own a Maruti 800 when it launched in 1983.
- He trained in acting at the M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute in Chennai.
- Shiva Rajkumar’s debut film Anand became a massive hit and marked the start of his success streak.
- Shiva Rajkumar acted in Sugreeva, a film that was shot in just 18 hours.
- Even after turning 60, he continues to play lead roles consistently in Kannada cinema.
- Shiva Rajkumar has a doctorate from Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Bellary.
- He lent his voice for the final portions of his brother Puneeth Rajkumar’s film James after Puneeth passed away.
- Shiva Rajkumar strongly opposed dubbed films in Kannada but later respected the Supreme Court’s ruling on the issue.
- He has done over 125 films but only acted in four remakes in more than 20 years.
FAQs
How old is Shiva Rajkumar?
Shiva Rajkumar is 62 Years Old.
What is Shiva Rajkumar’s height?
His height is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm).
What is Shiva Rajkumar’s Net Worth?
Shiva Rajkumar’s net worth is around $ 27.6 (INR 230 crore).