Answer
Dr. Rajkumar's first film as a lead actor was Bedara Kannappa, released in 1954. The film was a Kannada-language historical drama, directed by B. R. Panthulu. It was based on the life of Kannappa, a legendary devotee of the Hindu god Shiva. The film was a critical and commercial success, and established Rajkumar as a leading actor in the Kannada film industry.