Kalyan Kumar

Who was Kalyan Kumar?

Kalyan Kumar was a Kannada film actor. During 60s and 70s there were three prominent Kannada Film actors and among them Kalyan Kumar was one; the others being Rajkumar and Udayakumar.At a time when actors had a tough time establishing themselves, he was successful not only in Kannada, but also in Tamil cinema. Kalyan Kumar along with Udaykumar, Rajkumar were called as “Kumara Thrayaru” of the Kannada cinema.

He was born in 1929. His parents wanted him to be a doctor. But passion for acting brought him to Kannada film land. Born as Chokkanna into a middle class family Kalyan Kumar, who later became known for his lavishness and sophistication, entered the silver screen through Natashekhara in 1954 and had acted in over 200 films in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.

Known for sophisticated portrayal of roles he played the hero against J. Jayalalitha in Maavana Magalu in 1965 and Badukuva Daari in 1966. The triumvirate had acted in Bhoodaana which was a hit in 1962. He had also acted in first full-length colour film in Kannada. Amarashilpi Jakanachari, in which he played the role of Jakanachari, a historical figure in sculpture.