Naa Kanda Rajkumar: A 21-part docu-series that provides an intimate look at Kannadigas’ beloved Annavru

The late matinee idol Dr Rajkumar holds a special place in the hearts of Kannadigas the world over, not only for his onscreen roles, but also for how he was as a human being offscreen too. The legendary actor, who passed away in 2006, remains a much-loved figure to date.

In 2019, a 21-part docu-series called Naa Kanda Rajkumar was released, featuring video interviews with several members of the extended Rajkumar family, including his daughters, Poornima and Lakshmi, their children, Dheeren, Dhanya and Shanmukha, Lakshmi’s husband, who is also the late Parvathamma Rajkumar’s brother, SA Govindaraj, SA Chinne Gowda, also Parvathamma’s brother and father to actors Vijay Raghavendra and Sriimurali. There were also segments with Dr Rajkumar’s sons Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar.

The series, though, was not only about the Doddmane family. Others, like filmmakers and actors P Sheshadri, Bhagwan and V Manohar were also part of the series, as was Dr Ramana Rao, the family physician, who attended to both Dr Rajkumar as well as Puneeth Rajkumar prior to his tragic passing in October last year.

Naa Kanda Rajkumar, which is now streaming on NammaFlix, is an intimate look into the world of Annavru, as seen by these people who have lived with him or interacted with him in close quarters. There are details about his parenting styles, the nicknames he had for his grandchildren, his favourite food and desserts, his demeanour after he returned from the forest where he was kidnapped by Veerappan, his acting career, respect and love for contemporaries like NT Rama Rao, or co-stars like the late Kalpana. The most important facet that comes across though is just how much of a family man he was and when he was not working, he loved spending time with his near-and-dear ones. The docu-series is also about the simplicity of the man, who despite his massive stardom, treated every person with love and respect.