Shivarajkumar was born on 12.07.1962 to Superstar Dr. Rajkumar and Producer Parvathmma Rajkumar couple. He was born Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy in the then State of Madras now known as Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy did his schooling in T Nagar Chennai and college at New College Chennai and graduated from Madras University. He is also a trained Kuchupudi Dancer and a student of Vempetti Chinni Sathyam. His father a matinee idol, his mother an acclaimed movie producer and his youngest brother Puneeth Rajkumar had already amassed 12 movies as a child artist, who won a national award for Bettada Hovvu in 1985; Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy was not a stranger to the world of movies but it was only time before he decided to arrive on the silver screen. He gains interest in movies after the legendary director K. Balachander approached him for a movie to be made in Malayalam, which did not materialize. This incident ignites Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy to hone his skills as an actor and debuts with his screen name Shivarajkumar through Anand, 1986 movie which was directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and he has not turned back ever since. He was also the first actor of his time who could do the western dance moves, essentially the first Superstar who could dance in the Kannada movie industry, earning him the title Natyasaarvabhouma, meaning Emperor of Dance. Having acted in over 130 movies as a lead hero, he is known for his versatility and varied story choices and earned the title Hattrick Hero after his first three movies celebrated silver jubilee theatrically through Anand, Rathasapthami and Mana Mechchida Hudugi. His notable movies are OM (which was directed by Upendra), Nammoora Mandara Hoove, Chigurida Kanasu, Janumada Jodi, AK 47, Jogi, Kaddipudi, Mufthi, Tagaru, Bhoomi Thayiya Chochala Maga, Ranaranga, Ade Raaga Ade Haadu, Inspector Vikram, Dhore, Samyukta, Assegobba Meesegobba, Mruthyunjaya, Modada Mareyali, Midida Shruthi, Mutthanna, Samara, Simhada Mari, Kurubana Rani, Andaman, Hrudaya Hrudaya, Rishi and many others. Often late he has gained fame nationwide after his cameo as Narasimha in Rajinikanth starrer Jailer and as Senganna in Dhanush starrer Captain Miller. He has won 4 state awards for best actor in a leading role (Kannada) for Om, Hrudaya Hrudaya, Chugurida Kanasu and Jogi while having won 10 filmfare awards for best actor in a leading role (Kannada).