Shiva Rajkumar Quick Facts
| Full Name | Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Television Presenter |
| Date of Birth | 12 July 1962 |
| Age | 64 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years Active | 1968–present |
| Debut | Anand (1986), as an adult lead |
| Breakthrough | Om (1995) |
| Known For | Om, Anand, Jogi, Mufti, Ghost, Vedha |
| Spouse | Geeta, daughter of former Karnataka Chief Minister Sarekoppa Bangarappa |
| Family | Father Dr. Rajkumar; brother Puneeth Rajkumar |
Shiva Rajkumar Career in Numbers
Here is a quick snapshot of Shiva Rajkumar’s career.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Films | Over 100 feature films, including cameos, according to media reports |
| Career Span | 1968–present |
| Languages | Kannada, Telugu, Tamil |
| Breakthrough | Om (1995) |
| Major Awards | Four Karnataka State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards South (Kannada) for Best Actor; multiple SIIMA awards |
| Latest Release | Peddi (2026, Telugu), as Gournaidu |
Early Life and Family
Shiva Rajkumar was born Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy on 12 July 1962 in Madras, now Chennai. He is the son of Dr. Rajkumar and Parvathamma Rajkumar. His brothers are Raghavendra and Puneeth Rajkumar.
He appeared as a child artiste in Kannada films from the late 1960s, including Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974), before returning to acting as an adult in the mid-1980s.
Shiva Rajkumar Career Journey
Child Actor and Early Career (1968–1985)
After his child roles, Shiva Rajkumar returned to films as an adult in the mid-1980s. Anand (1986) was his first film as a lead, and Ratha Sapthami (1986) followed the same year.
Breakthrough with Om (1986–1995)
A run of lead roles in the late 1980s, including Inspector Vikram, preceded Om (1995). The film made him a major star in Karnataka and is widely cited as his breakthrough.
Stardom and Award-Winning Films (1996–2010)
Through the late 1990s and 2000s he starred in films such as A.K. 47, Hrudaya Hrudaya, Chigurida Kanasu and Jogi. Jogi (2005) earned him a Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. He also acted in Telugu and Tamil films during this period, mostly in limited roles.
Recent Work (2011–Present)
Jogayya (2011) and Shivalinga (2016) were among his lead films of this period. He has since taken on a mix of lead roles and cameos, including Mufti (2017), Ghost (2023) and Bhairathi Ranagal (2024), and appeared in the Telugu film Peddi in 2026.
Shiva Rajkumar Movies: Complete Filmography
Below is Shiva Rajkumar’s filmography. All films are in Kannada unless noted. Upcoming films are listed with the year Upcoming, and roles not confirmed by sources are marked Undisclosed.
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Dhoomakethu (Child artiste) | Not stated |
| 1974 | Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (Child artiste) | Padmavathi’s brother |
| 1986 | Anand (Adult debut as lead) | Anand |
| 1986 | Ratha Sapthami | Vishwanath / Lawrence |
| 1987 | Manamecchida Hudugi | Shivu |
| 1988 | Shiva Mecchida Kannappa | Dinna / Arjuna |
| 1988 | Samyuktha | Shivraj |
| 1988 | Ranaranga | Anand |
| 1989 | Inspector Vikram | Vikram |
| 1989 | Ade Raaga Ade Haadu | Chandru / Nanda |
| 1990 | Aasegobba Meesegobba | Ram Prasad Sharma / Lakshman Prasad Sharma (Lucky) |
| 1990 | Mruthyunjaya | Chandru |
| 1991 | Aralida Hoovugalu | Vijay Kumar |
| 1991 | Modada Mareyalli | Ravi |
| 1992 | Midida Shruthi | Balu |
| 1992 | Purushotthama | Raj / Paramshivu |
| 1992 | Mavanige Thakka Aliya | Ganesha |
| 1992 | Belliyappa Bangarappa (Cameo) | Himself |
| 1993 | Jaga Mechida Huduga | Shivu |
| 1993 | Chirabandhavya | Rahul |
| 1993 | Ananda Jyothi | Anand |
| 1994 | Gandhada Gudi Part 2 | Shankar |
| 1994 | Mutthanna | Muthanna / Diamond Kiran |
| 1994 | Gandugali | Mahesh |
| 1995 | Gadibidi Aliya | Shivu / Raj |
| 1995 | Savyasachi | Akhilesh / Viraat |
| 1995 | Om (Breakthrough film) | Satyamurthy Shastri |
| 1995 | Mana Midiyithu | Anand |
| 1995 | Samara | Uday |
| 1995 | Dore | Dore |
| 1996 | Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata | Shivanna |
| 1996 | Gajanura Gandu | Rajendra |
| 1996 | Shiva Sainya | Shiva |
| 1996 | Annavra Makkalu | Shiva / Ramu / Kumar |
| 1996 | Nammoora Mandara Hoove | Manoj |
| 1996 | Aadithya | Aditya |
| 1996 | Janumada Jodi | Krishna |
| 1997 | Ganga Yamuna | Shankar |
| 1997 | Simhada Mari | Vishwa |
| 1997 | Ammavra Ganda | Raju |
| 1997 | Muddina Kanmani | Shivram Hegde |
| 1997 | Raaja | Raja |
| 1997 | Jodi Hakki | Maacha / Manoj |
| 1997 | Prema Raga Haadu Gelathi | Anand |
| 1998 | Nammoora Huduga | Gopala |
| 1998 | Kurubana Rani | Kencha |
| 1998 | Andaman | Anand |
| 1998 | Mr. Putsami | Putsami |
| 1998 | Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga | Karna |
| 1998 | Gadibidi Krishna | Krishna / Dr. Shivram |
| 1999 | Janumadatha | Teju |
| 1999 | Chandrodaya | Shivu |
| 1999 | A.K. 47 | Raam |
| 1999 | Vishwa | Vishwa |
| 1999 | Hrudaya Hrudaya | Ravi |
| 2000 | Yare Nee Abhimani | Aditya |
| 2000 | Preethse | Surya |
| 2000 | Hagalu Vesha | Ramu |
| 2000 | Indradhanush | Harindranath |
| 2000 | Krishna Leele | Krishna |
| 2000 | Devara Maga | Bharatha |
| 2000 | Galate Aliyandru | Manu |
| 2001 | Maduve Aagona Baa | Anand |
| 2001 | Asura | Vasu |
| 2001 | Bahala Chennagide | Krishna |
| 2001 | Baava Baamaida | Raju |
| 2001 | Sundara Kanda | Venkatesh |
| 2001 | Yuvaraja | Raju |
| 2001 | Jodi | Vinod |
| 2002 | Kodanda Rama | Rama |
| 2002 | Ninne Preethisuve (Extended cameo) | Major Srinivas |
| 2002 | Thavarige Baa Thangi | Shivanna |
| 2003 | Don | Surya |
| 2003 | Sri Ram | Sriram |
| 2003 | Smile | Mahesh Kumar |
| 2003 | Nanjundi | Nanjunda |
| 2003 | Chigurida Kanasu | Shankar / Datthanna |
| 2004 | Rowdy Aliya | Raja |
| 2004 | Sarvabhouma | Subhash Chandra / Jeeva |
| 2004 | Kanchana Ganga | Soorya |
| 2005 | Rishi | Rishi |
| 2005 | Rakshasa | ACP Harish Chandra |
| 2005 | Valmiki | Ram / Bharamanna |
| 2005 | Jogi | Madesha |
| 2005 | Anna Thangi | Appanna / Shivanna |
| 2006 | Ashoka | Ashok |
| 2006 | Thavarina Siri | Muthanna |
| 2006 | Gandugali Kumara Rama | Kumara Rama |
| 2007 | Thayiya Madilu | Nandakumar |
| 2007 | No 73, Shanthi Nivasa (Special appearance) | Himself |
| 2007 | Santha | Santhosha Santha |
| 2007 | Gandana Mane | Raja |
| 2007 | Lava Kusha | Chinnu |
| 2008 | Sathya In Love | Sathya |
| 2008 | Bandhu Balaga | Subramanya |
| 2008 | Madesha | Madesha |
| 2008 | Paramesha Paanwala | Parmesha |
| 2009 | Nanda | Nanda |
| 2009 | Hatrick Hodi Maga | Surya |
| 2009 | Bhagyada Balegara | Chennayya |
| 2009 | Devaru Kotta Thangi | Shivu |
| 2010 | Sugreeva | Sugreeva |
| 2010 | Thamassu | Shankar |
| 2010 | Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu | Vishwa |
| 2010 | Mylari | Mylari |
| 2011 | Jogayya | Madesha |
| 2012 | Shiva | Shiva |
| 2013 | Lakshmi | Lakshmi Narayan |
| 2013 | Andhar Bahar | Surya |
| 2013 | Kaddipudi | Anand alias Kaddipudi |
| 2013 | Bhajarangi | Bhajarangi / Jeeva |
| 2014 | Aryan | Aryan |
| 2014 | Belli | Basavaraj Belli |
| 2015 | Vajrakaya | Viraj |
| 2016 | Doddmane Hudga | Narrator (voice) |
| 2016 | Killing Veerappan | A Special Task Force strategist |
| 2016 | Shivalinga | Shiva |
| 2016 | Santheyalli Nintha Kabira | Kabeera |
| 2017 | Srikanta | Srikanta |
| 2017 | Gautamiputra Satakarni (Guest appearance) | Kalahastheeshwara |
| 2017 | Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya | Shiva |
| 2017 | Mass Leader | Shivaraj |
| 2017 | Mufti | Bairathi Rangal |
| 2018 | Tagaru | Shivakumar Tagaru Shiva |
| 2018 | The Villain | Ramappa |
| 2019 | Kavacha | Jayaram / Ramappa |
| 2019 | Rustum | DSP Abhishek Bhargav |
| 2019 | Ayushman Bhava | Krishna |
| 2020 | Drona | Guru / Drona |
| 2021 | Bhajarangi 2 | Bhajarangi Anji |
| 2022 | James (Guest appearance; dubbed for Puneeth Rajkumar) | Anandraj |
| 2022 | Bairagee | Shivappa |
| 2022 | Vedha | Vedha |
| 2023 | Kabzaa (Guest appearance) | Siddhantha |
| 2023 | Jailer (Cameo) | Narasimha |
| 2023 | Ghost | Dalavayi Muddanna / Anand Rao |
| 2024 | Captain Miller (Tamil) | Sengolan alias Senganna |
| 2024 | Karataka Damanaka | Virupaksha / Karataka |
| 2024 | Bhairathi Ranagal | Bhairathi Ranagal |
| 2025 | Veera Chandrahasa (Cameo) | Nadaprabhu Shivaputtaswamy |
| 2025 | Firefly | The King delivery man |
| 2025 | 45 | Shivanna |
| 2026 | Raktha Kashmira (Special appearance) | Himself |
| 2026 | Peddi (Telugu) | Gournaidu |
| Upcoming | Bail | Undisclosed |
| Upcoming | Jailer 2 (Cameo) | Narasimha |
| Upcoming | Picasso (Tamil) | Shanmugam |
| Upcoming | Dad | Undisclosed |
| Upcoming | 666 Operation Dream Theatre | Undisclosed |
| Upcoming | Gummadi Narsaiah (Telugu) | Gummadi Narsaiah |
| Upcoming | Survivor – A Superstar Documentary (Documentary) | Himself |
| Upcoming | A for Anand | Anand |
Shiva Rajkumar Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | Karnataka State Film Award – Best Actor | Om |
| 1999–2000 | Karnataka State Film Award – Best Actor | Hrudaya Hrudaya |
| 2003–04 | Karnataka State Film Award – Best Actor | Chigurida Kanasu |
| 2005–06 | Karnataka State Film Award – Best Actor | Jogi |
| 1995 | Filmfare Awards South – Best Actor (Kannada) | Om |
| 1996 | Filmfare Awards South – Best Actor (Kannada) | Nammoora Mandara Hoove |
| 1999 | Filmfare Awards South – Best Actor (Kannada) | A.K. 47 |
| 2010 | Filmfare Awards South – Best Actor (Kannada) | Thamassu |
| 2011 | NTR National Award | Honour for his film work |
| 2012 | SIIMA – Social Responsibility | Social work award |
| 2013 | SIIMA – Best Actor | Shiva |
| 2014 | SIIMA – Best Actor | Bhajarangi |
| 2014 | Honorary doctorate | Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University |
| 2016 | Kohinoor of South India | Honour recognised in 2016 |
| 2017 | SIIMA – Best Actor | Shivalinga |
| 2024 | SIIMA – Entertainer of the Year | Recognition for 2024 |
| 2024 | SIIMA – Excellence in Cinema | Recognition for 2024 |
Shiva Rajkumar Personal Life
Shiva Rajkumar is married to Geeta, the daughter of former Karnataka Chief Minister Sarekoppa Bangarappa. The couple has two daughters. He is part of the Rajkumar family, one of the most prominent families in Kannada cinema.
Shiva Rajkumar Net Worth
Shiva Rajkumar earns from film fees, television work and producing. Published figures for his earnings are not audited and vary between reports.
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately Rs 230 crore (unconfirmed).
Source: India.com, published 19 April 2025, which cites unnamed media reports and does not name a primary source for the figure.
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, including entertainment industry reports and media estimates. These are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.
Lesser-Known Facts About Shiva Rajkumar
- He was born in Madras, now Chennai, in 1962.
- He appeared as a child artiste in Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974).
- He dubbed for his brother Puneeth Rajkumar in the cameo role in James (2022).
- He hosted a talk show on Zee Kannada from 2010.
- Om (1995) is his breakthrough film and remains one of the best-known Kannada films of the 1990s.
Legacy and Impact
Over four decades, Shiva Rajkumar has been one of the most recognisable names in Kannada cinema. His career spans lead roles, supporting parts and cameos, and he is often seen as carrying forward the Rajkumar family’s film legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shiva Rajkumar
How old is Shiva Rajkumar?
Shiva Rajkumar was born on 12 July 1962, making him 64 years old as of 2026.
What was Shiva Rajkumar’s debut film?
He made his adult debut as a lead in Anand (1986). He had earlier appeared as a child artiste.
What is Shiva Rajkumar’s most important film?
Om (1995) is widely cited as his breakthrough film and the one that made him a major star in Karnataka.
What is Shiva Rajkumar’s latest and upcoming movie?
His latest film in this filmography is Peddi (2026), a Telugu film in which he plays Gournaidu. Upcoming titles listed here include Bail, Jailer 2 and Picasso, though release dates have not been confirmed.
What is Shiva Rajkumar’s net worth?
Shiva Rajkumar’s net worth is estimated at approximately Rs 230 crore, based on an April 2025 India.com report citing unnamed media reports. This figure is unconfirmed.
Final Summary
From his child roles to Om and his later cameos, Shiva Rajkumar has built a long career in Kannada cinema. He remains one of the most recognised actors in Sandalwood.
