
Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India
Kalyan Kumar (28 July 1928 – 1 August 1999), born as Chokkanna, was an Indian film 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), 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 has the credit of being the first ever Kannada actor to star in a color 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, Kumar, being successful 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.

1976

1995

1956

1993

1997

1992

1985

as Chief Minister
1994

1997
as Mohan Rao
1966

1986
as Murali
1962
1995

1997

1997

1995
as Viswanathan
1995

as Chief Minister
1994

1993

1992

1988

1986

1985

1984

1984

as Guest Appearance
1984

1983
1977

1977

1977

1976

1976

as Professor Dr. Devayya
1976

1968

as Premnath/Duplicate CID Prakash
1968
as Mohan Rao
1966

as Somashekhar
1964