Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest and versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema, he is considered a cultural icon and holds a matinée idol status in the Kannada diaspora, among whom he is popularly called as Nata Saarvabhouma, Bangarada Manushya, Vara Nata, Gaana Gandharva, Rasikara Raja, Kannada Kanteerava and Rajanna/Annavru. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1983 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. He is the only lead actor to win National Award for Playback singing. His 39 movies have been remade 63 times in 9 languages by 34 actors making him the first actor whose movies were remade more than fifty times and the first actor whose movies were remade in nine languages. He was the first actor in India to enact a role which was based on James Bond in a full-fledged manner. The success of his movie Jedara Bale is credited to have widely inspired an Indian bond genre in other Indian film industries. On the occasion of the "Centenary of Indian Cinema" in April 2013, Forbes included his performance in Bangaarada Manushya on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Upon his death, The New York Times had described him as one of India's most popular movie stars.

Headlines from April 24, 1929

British Plan Two 1,000-Foot Atlantic Liners To Answer German Challenge for Supremacy

NAVY PLAN REACTION ELATES WASHINGTON; Europe's Cordial Reception of Gibson Proposal Gives Hope of Real Reductions in Fleets. WORLD OPINION COUNTED ON Progress at Geneva Parley to Be Urged--Britten Calls Plan "Surrender" by Us.

STEINHARDT SUICIDE GOES TO GRAND JURY; Tuttle Sets Inquiry on Death Instigator for Today After Seeing Mysterious Caller. MOVE WITHOUT PRECEDENT Offender Would Be Accused of "Obstruction of Justice"-- Congress Hearing Asked.

Mrs. Pratt Presides in House As Farm Bill Is Discussed

SENATE FIGHT OPENS ON FARM AID PLAN; McNary Warns Veto Awaits the Measure if Debentures Proposal Is Retained. HOOVER'S CRITICISM HIT Democrat Calls Scheme Heart of Bill--House Presses Its Debate.

Notable Births