Kalyan Kumar
Kalyan Kumar (7 June 1928 – 1 August 1999) was an Indian actor, and an occasional film director and producer who worked primarily in Kannada and Tamil cinema. Making his acting debut in the mythological drama Natashekara (1954), Kalyan Kumar went on to star in over 200 films in a span of over five decades. He was among the much sought after actors in the 1950s through 1970s for lead roles.
Kalyan Kumar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chokkanna 7 June 1928 |
| Died | 1 August 1999 (aged 71) Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Sampath Kumar, Chokkanna, Venkataranga |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, film director, producer |
| Years active | 1954–1999 |
| Spouse | Revathi |
| Children | Bharath Kalyan and Deepak kalyan |
Kalyan Kumar has the credit of being the first ever Kannada actor to star in a colour film in Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1963). Alongside Kumar, the 1960s and 1970s in Kannada cinema was dominated by two other actors, Rajkumar and Udayakumar. At a time when actors had a tough time establishing themselves, Kalyan Kumar being successful not only in Kannada cinema, also made a mark in Tamil cinema. Kalyan Kumar along with Udaykumar, Rajkumar were called as "Kumara Thrayaru" (The Kumar Trio) of the Kannada cinema.