Indian Actor Raj Kumar Dies, Fans Riot
 

Thought this was kind of interesting. Any fans of this actor? If so, are you rioting?
____________________________________

Indian Actor Raj Kumar Dies, Fans Riot

BANGALORE, India - Raj Kumar, a onetime child actor who became one of south India's most beloved movie stars and later was kidnapped by a notorious bandit, died Wednesday at age 77.

He died in a Bangalore hospital of cardiac arrest, Dr. Ramana Rao told the Press Trust of India news agency.

Kumar, whose name was also spelled Rajkumar, appeared in more than 200 Kannada-language films in five decades, with millions of fiercely devoted fans. While he largely gave up acting in the mid-1990s, he remained one of the region's best-loved figures.

Hundreds of distraught fans rioted in Bangalore when police prevented them from forcing their way into the late actor's home, New Delhi Television reported.

Police used bamboo canes to drive away angry fans who shattered the windows of several buses and set a half-dozen cars and motorcycles on fire.

The actor's body was later moved to a large public park in the heart of the city to allow fans to pay their last respects. The regional government in southern India has decided to give Kumar a state funeral, according to Press Trust of India.

Kumar appeared in action films, mythological sagas and romance movies in which he was the star attraction.

Although he played rugged, masculine heroes who triumphed over scheming villains in many of his movies, he also was known for never having smoked cigarettes on screen, or never playing a drunkard after his early days.

He was in the news again in 2000 when he was kidnapped by Veerappan, a famed bandit who had spent decades eluding police in the forests of south India. Kumar was freed by Veerappan after 109 days living in the forests with his gang. Local reports said a large ransom was paid, although Kumar denied that.

Kumar's first glimpse into the world of acting was as a child, when he accompanied his father, an actor who performed in plays in small Indian villages.

Kumar soon dropped out of school to act on the stage and later in the movies.

He won more than 20 national and state awards for his contribution to Indian cinema. His fans called him "Annavaru" meaning "respected elder brother" in the Kannada language.

Movie reviews often told of audiences in cinema halls booing villains who tried to pick fights with him on the big screen. Fans were known to worship his image and pray that his films would be successful at the box office.

He also was a singer whose range extended from dance numbers to classical and devotional songs.

After his retirement, Kumar continued to work behind the scenes as a producer.

Kumar's three sons — Shivraj, Raghavendra and Puneet — all became successful actors.

That's an nice way to pay your final respects. I hope when I die, some people set some cars on fire for me.

I'll throw some motolov cocktails in your honor...

...and I'll duck

Thanks, and if you could aim a few in the direction of a car, that would be great. ;)

I'm in! My aim isn't very good but I'll yell first. :)

Hey! Be respectful! Maybe he was "articulate", LOL.

well look at his picture...can you blame the people :)...mel gibson ain't got nothin on this dude

http://www.dvdworld.co.uk/shopimages...0-09/82206.JPG

I was ready to riot & burn some cars when Chris Penn dies, but nobody joined me:(

I guess now Kumar can go to that big White Castle in the sky. Unless he wants to wait for Harold.

Excellent hair! I wonder what brand of shellac he used.

He looks like the Indian Beavis.

:lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...3anibeavis.gif

"I AM R-R-R-R-R-RAJKUMAR!!! I NEED STIFF GEL FOR MY HAIRDO!!!"

I wonder what Raj Kumar's fans would do if they read this thread? -poke-

Wow. It's what my comic store owner would look like if he had a pompadour!

Ah I remember the Cary Grant riots of '86.

:lol:

Rioting: yet another American institution lost to outsourcing. :(

Did they stop rioting and break into a dance number?

:lol:

That's not the actor Raj Kumar. That's the movie "Rajkumar" starring Anil Kapoor and his hairdo. You people need to see more foreign cinema.

http://www.midwaysailor.com/military/salute.jpg
Sir, Yes, Sir!

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2006/0...0204121340.jpg

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2006/0...0504121616.jpg

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dw.../0412india.jpg

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/ima...2006/15car.jpg

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/17617-2.jpg

http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/13/imag...1312480101.jpg

I am planning a full scale Viking styled massacre when Ed O'neil dies.
Can I get a WHOA BUNDY!

WHOA BUNDY, oh and go CATS.