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Shiva Rajkumar Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth12 July 1962

Age62 Years

BirthplaceMadras (now Chennai)

ProfessionActor, Film Producer, Playback Singer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseGeetha Shivarajkumar

FamilyFather: Dr. Rajkumar (deceased); Mother: Parvathamma (deceased); Siblings: Raghavendra Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar (deceased), Lakshmi, Poornima

Shiva Rajkumar Biography

Shiva Rajkumar is an Indian actor, producer and playback singer best known for his work in Kannada cinema. The eldest son of Dr. Rajkumar, he began as a 
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Early life and background

Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy, known professionally as Shiva Rajkumar and affectionately called Shivanna, was born on 12 July 1962 in Madras (now Chennai). Raised in Chennai, he attended school in the city’s T. Nagar neighbourhood and went on to study at New College, Chennai. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and later trained at the M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute in Chennai.

He comes from a prominent film family: his father, Dr. Rajkumar, was a celebrated Kannada actor and singer, and his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar worked as a film distributor and producer. Shiva is the eldest among his siblings, which include Raghavendra Rajkumar, the late Puneeth Rajkumar, Lakshmi and Poornima.

Career

Shiva Rajkumar first appeared on screen as a child artist in the 1974 Kannada mythological film Sri Srinivasa Kalyana, credited as Master Puttaswamy. After a break from acting, he completed formal film training in Chennai and returned as a lead actor in 1986 with Anand, a production by his mother.

Over the following decades Shiva built a prolific career in Kannada cinema as an actor, film producer and playback singer. He appeared in a string of films through the late 1980s and the 1990s, including Manamecchida Hudugi, Shiva Mecchida Kannappa, Ade Raaga Ade Haadu and many others. Between 1990 and 2000 he acted in more than 50 films, taking on leading roles in titles such as Aralida Hoovugalu, Mavanige Thakka Aliya, Gandhada Gudi Part 2, Nammoora Mandara Hoove, Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga and Yare Nee Abhimani.

Shiva has also contributed as a playback singer, making his singing debut in 1988 with the song "O Meghave" for the film Ranaranga. His voice appears on several Kannada film songs across his career, including tracks from Aasegobba Meesegobba, Andaman, Killing Veerappan and Vedha.

Throughout his career he has been recognised with multiple awards. He is a multiple-time recipient of the Karnataka State Best Actor Award and has won several Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor. In 2011 he received a national honour in the form of an NTR National Award recognising his contribution to Indian cinema. He has also been given honorary recognition such as a SIIMA Award for Social Responsibility and an honorary doctorate from Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University of Bellary.

Notable later projects include the 2010 film Sugreeva, in which he played a titular role in a unique production that involved ten directors and an 18-hour shoot. In 2022 he produced and starred in Vedha, playing the title character, and in 2023 he appeared as Siddhantha in the film Kabzaa.

Public profile

Shiva Rajkumar has balanced acting with other public roles. He served as a brand ambassador for the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the Indian Premier League’s 11th season. His public statements have at times addressed industry issues; for example, he spoke against dubbing films into Kannada and advocated for remakes to preserve local employment and cultural connection.

He has been open about family matters when they became public: in 2016 he underwent treatment after a mild heart attack, and in 2021 he spoke about the emotional impact of the sudden death of his younger brother Puneeth Rajkumar.

Shiva maintains a friendly rapport with colleagues across the industry and has spoken of a special bond with Rajinikanth that dates back to his childhood.

Personal life

Shiva married Geetha on 19 May 1986. Geetha is the second daughter of former Karnataka chief minister Sarekoppa Bangarappa. The couple have two daughters, Niveditha and Nirupama. He follows Hinduism and is from the Ediga community. His food preferences include upma and pizza, and his stated political inclination is towards the Congress party.

Latest updates

In recent years Shiva has continued to act and produce. He played the lead in Vedha (2022), a film he also produced, and appeared in Kabzaa (2023). In 2023 he declined an offer to enter electoral politics for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reaffirming his intention to remain focused on his acting career.

Across a long career in Kannada cinema, Shiva Rajkumar has combined commercial success with critical recognition and a continued presence in regional film culture.
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Recent Work

Vedha

Produced and starred as the title character

2022
Kabzaa

Played the role of Siddhantha

2023
Sugreeva

Played a self-titled role in a film directed by ten directors and shot in 18 hours

2010
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Career Highlights

  1. Debuted as a child actor in Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974)
  2. Lead film debut with Anand (1986)
  3. Multiple Karnataka State Best Actor Awards
  4. Multiple Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor
  5. NTR National Award for lifetime achievement (2011)
  6. Honorary doctorate from Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University (2014)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Shiva Rajkumar born?

12 July 1962

What is Shiva Rajkumar known for?

Actor, Film Producer, Playback Singer

What is Shiva Rajkumar’s marital status?

Married

Who is Shiva Rajkumar married to?

Geetha Shivarajkumar