Amitabh Bachchan was once banned in Karnataka because of a controversy surrounding Dr. Rajkumar, a legendary Kannada actor and father of Shiv Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar. The issue started when Dr. Rajkumar’s film “Halu Jenu” and Amitabh Bachchan’s “Namak Halal” were set to release around the same time.
Theater owners in Gandhinagar were worried about screening “Namak Halal” because Dr. Rajkumar’s fans were known to cause trouble during his film releases. To avoid conflict, the theater owners agreed to let fans worship Dr. Rajkumar’s image on stage during screenings. As a result, “Halu Jenu” got more screen time.
A Controversy Erupts
A trade magazine called Dr. Rajkumar “mini Hitler” due to his fans’ aggressive behavior. Rumors spread that Amitabh Bachchan was behind this comment. The backlash was swift, and Amitabh was banned in Karnataka. His film “Namak Halal” was pulled from theaters, and the shooting for “Coolie” was halted.
Amitabh Bachchan eventually met Dr. Rajkumar to apologize, and the ban was lifted.
The Children in the Viral Photo
The viral photo features Amitabh Bachchan with Shiv Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar as children. Both brothers were child actors and later became prominent figures in Kannada cinema. Puneeth Rajkumar, who started acting at 6 and won a National Award at 10, is no longer alive. Shiv Rajkumar is still active in the industry, having appeared in over 100 films. He is also a singer and TV anchor, with an estimated net worth of ₹230 crore.
The old photo has sparked nostalgia among fans, and it’s a reminder of the rich history of Indian cinema and its legendary stars.