{{short description|Indian actor (born 1989)}} {{Indian patronymic|Vinay|Rajkumar}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Vinay Rajkumar | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|05|07|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Happy birthday Vinay Rajkumar|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Happy-birthday-Vinay-Rajkumar/articleshow/34778292.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2 March 2017|date=7 May 2014|archive-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525033930/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Happy-birthday-Vinay-Rajkumar/articleshow/34778292.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> | birth_place = Bangalore, Karnataka, India | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1993-1999; 2012–present | father = Raghavendra Rajkumar | relatives = See Rajkumar family }}
'''Vinay Rajkumar''' (born 7 May 1989) is an Indian actor who works in Kannada cinema. The grandson of actor Rajkumar and son of film producer and actor Raghavendra Rajkumar, he made his debut as a lead actor in 2014 with ''Siddhartha''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vinay Rajkumar kickstarted to become a star|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140504/entertainment-sandalwood/article/vinay-rajkumar-kickstarted-become-star|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=4 May 2014|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043749/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140504/entertainment-sandalwood/article/vinay-rajkumar-kickstarted-become-star|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Early life== Vinay Rajkumar was born to actor and film producer Raghavendra Rajkumar and Mangala. He is the grandson of actor Rajkumar. He has a younger brother, Yuva Rajkumar. The actors Shiva Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar are his paternal uncles. Vinay earned a bachelor's degree in commerce from St. Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore.
Vinay's grandfather, Rajkumar, brought him on-screen at the age of four in the film ''Aakasmika'' (1993).<ref name="interview">{{cite web|title=Rajkumar's grandson Vinay's first interview|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news-interviews/Rajkumars-grandson-Vinays-first-interview/articleshow/34497260.cms|work=The Times of India|date=2 May 2014|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-date=7 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507090227/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news-interviews/Rajkumars-grandson-Vinays-first-interview/articleshow/34497260.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Vinay followed this with appearances in ''Odahuttidavaru'' (1994), his father's film's ''Anuragada Alegalu'' (1993) and ''Navibbaru Namagibbaru'' (1993), and uncle Shiva's ''Om'' (1995) and ''Hrudaya Hrudaya'' (1999).<ref name="th1">{{cite web|title=Vinay Rajkumar: On the run|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/guess-where-vinay-rajkumar-went-to-shoot-for-run-anthony/article8437860.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 March 2017|date=5 April 2016|archive-date=6 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406154537/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/guess-where-vinay-rajkumar-went-to-shoot-for-run-anthony/article8437860.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rajkumar's grandson to make his debut with 'Siddartha'|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/rajkumars-grandson-to-make-his-debut-with-siddartha/article5970588.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 March 2017|date=2 May 2014}}</ref>
Vinay studied and trained as an actor in "acting workshops with a couple of people" before "training... in theatre". He subsequently trained in dance and martial arts from trainers of his uncles' films.<ref name="toi1">{{cite web|last1=Desai|first1=Dhwani|title=Puneeth is like a good buddy: Vinay Rajkumar|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Puneeth-is-like-a-good-buddy-Vinay-Rajkumar/articleshow/45603338.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2 March 2017|date=23 December 2014|archive-date=2 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202025732/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Puneeth-is-like-a-good-buddy-Vinay-Rajkumar/articleshow/45603338.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''The Times of India'' in 2012, he said he was "involved with the filming of [uncle Puneeth's film] ''Yaare Koogadali''", having already worked in the filming of the latter's previous film ''Anna Bond'' (2012).<ref name="toi1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=No pressure from my family: Vinay Rajkumar|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/No-pressure-from-my-family-Vinay-Rajkumar/articleshow/16431621.cms?|work=The Times of India|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302073805/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/No-pressure-from-my-family-Vinay-Rajkumar/articleshow/16431621.cms|archive-date=2 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Career == === Early appearances (1993–1999) === Vinay began his acting journey as a child artist in Kannada cinema, appearing in family productions featuring his father and uncles. His first on-screen appearance was in ''Aakasmika'' (1993), followed by roles in ''Anuragada Alegalu'' (1993), ''Navibbaru Namagibbaru'' (1993), and ''Odahuttidavaru'' (1994). He also featured in his uncle Shiva Rajkumar’s films ''Om'' (1995) and ''Hrudaya Hrudaya'' (1999), credited as Master Vinay Raghavendra.
=== Debut as lead actor and initial success (2014–2016) === After completing his education and training in acting, dance, and martial arts, Vinay made his debut as a lead actor in 2015 with ''Siddhartha'', directed by Prakash. The romantic drama earned him the SIIMA Award for Best Debut Actor (Male), marking a promising start to his career.
In 2016, Vinay starred in ''Run Anthony'', an action thriller directed by Raghu Shastry. The film showcased him in a high-energy role as Antony, blending suspense and romance. Though the movie received mixed reviews, Vinay’s performance was praised for its intensity and screen presence, cementing his image as a versatile actor.
=== Critical acclaim and diversification (2017–2020) === Vinay expanded his repertoire with ''Ananthu Vs Nusrath'' (2018), a romantic drama where he played an advocate entangled in a cross-cultural love story. The film was critically acclaimed and highlighted Vinay’s ability to handle nuanced roles. He continued experimenting with genres, appearing in projects like ''Totapuri'' and short films such as ''Daya'', which earned him recognition at the Bangalore Short Film Festival.
=== Recent work and upcoming projects (2021–present) === Vinay returned to the big screen with ''10'' (2022), a sports drama, and followed it up with romantic entertainer ''Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe'' (2024) and the action-packed ''Pepe'' (2024). His upcoming films include ''Andondittu Kaala'' (2025) and ''Graamayana'' (2025), signaling a strong comeback phase with diverse roles
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}} | Denotes films that have not yet been released |} *''Note: He was credited as Master Vinay Raghavendra from 1993 to 1999.'' {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |- | rowspan=3|1993 || ''Anuragada Alegalu'' || Running boy |Child artist;<br />cameo appearance in the song "Ambarada Taare" |<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Anuragada Alegalu Movie |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv-Dwf9BmWs |access-date=2023-12-13 |language=en |archive-date=13 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613091124/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv-Dwf9BmWs&t=2471s |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | ''Navibbaru Namagibbaru'' || Boy with cattle || Child artist |<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Navibbaru Namagibbaru {{!}} Full Movies {{!}} Raghavendra Rajkumar{{!}} Malashree{{!}} Comedy Movie |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2ogpM7kekM |access-date=2023-12-13 |language=en |archive-date=13 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613085450/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2ogpM7kekM&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | ''Aakasmika'' || Boy in horse drawn carriage | Child artist;<br />uncredited cameo appearance in the song "Huttidare Kannadanalli" || <ref name="interview"/> |- | 1994 ||''Odahuttidavaru''|| Vinu |Child artist |<ref name="interview"/> |- | 1995 ||''Om''|| Satya and Madhu's son | Child artist; uncredited || <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-grew-up-on-film-sets-theyve-always-felt-like-home-to-me-vinay-rajkumar/articleshow/106613426.cms |title=I grew up on film sets, they've always felt like home to me: Vinay Rajkumar | Kannada Movie News - Times of India |website=The Times of India |access-date=22 April 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128083344/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-grew-up-on-film-sets-theyve-always-felt-like-home-to-me-vinay-rajkumar/articleshow/106613426.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 1999 ||''Hrudaya Hrudaya''|| Vinu | Child artist || <ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Hrudaya Hrudaya |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EekxD9w9umA |access-date=2023-12-13 |language=en |archive-date=13 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613092314/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EekxD9w9umA&t=385s |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2015 ||''Siddhartha''|| Siddhartha | || |- | 2016 ||''Run Antony''|| Antony | || |- | 2018 ||''Ananthu Vs Nusrath''|| Ananthu | ||<ref name="th1"/> |- |2022 |''10'' |Vijay Kumar | |<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vinay Rajkumar's boxing film to be titled '10'? – The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2019/Sep/16/vinay-rajkumars-boxing-film-to-be-titled-10-2034258.html|website=newindianexpress.com|access-date=2020-05-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vinay Rajkumar to play a boxer in 'Ten'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vinay-rajkumar-to-play-a-boxer-in-ten/articleshow/71152683.cms|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-07|archive-date=6 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106071433/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vinay-rajkumar-to-play-a-boxer-in-ten/articleshow/71152683.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|2024 |''Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe'' |Athishay | |<ref>{{cite web |title=vinay-rajkumar-to-collaborate-with-directorsuni-for-a-romantic-drama |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2023/jan/03/vinay-rajkumar-to-collaborate-with-directorsuni-for-a-romantic-drama-38355.html |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=Cinema Express |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206130045/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2023/jan/03/vinay-rajkumar-to-collaborate-with-directorsuni-for-a-romantic-drama-38355.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |''Pepe'' |Pepe | | |- |rowspan="1"|2025 |''Andondittu Kaala'' |Kumara | ||<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vinay Rajkumar, Aditi Prabhudeva come together for Andondittu Kaala|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/feb/05/vinay-rajkumar-aditi-prabhudeva-come-together-for-andondittu-kaala-22672.html|access-date=2021-02-05|website=Cinema Express|language=en|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205132312/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/feb/05/vinay-rajkumar-aditi-prabhudeva-come-together-for-andondittu-kaala-22672.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|2026 | style="background:#FFFFCC;" |''City Lights''{{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}} |Shiva |Filming |<ref>{{Cite web |title=ನಟ ವಿನಯ್ ರಾಜ್ಕುಮಾರ್ ಹೊಸ ಸಿನಿಮಾಕ್ಕೆ 'ದುನಿಯಾ' ವಿಜಯ್ ಡೈರೆಕ್ಷನ್; 'ದೊಡ್ಮನೆ' ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳು ಥ್ರಿಲ್ |url=https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/news/vinay-rajkumar-and-duniya-vijay-join-hands-for-city-lights-movie/articleshow/113605549.cms |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Vijay Karnataka |language=kn |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924010411/https://vijaykarnataka.com/entertainment/news/vinay-rajkumar-and-duniya-vijay-join-hands-for-city-lights-movie/amp_articleshow/113605549.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |style="background:#FFFFCC;" |''Gramayana''{{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}} |{{TBA}} |Filming | |}
==Awards== ;South Indian International Movie Awards * 2016: Best Debut Actor – ''Siddhartha''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/siima-2016-kannada-winners-list|title=SIIMA 2016 Kannada winners list|work=Asianet News|date=31 March 2018|access-date=13 June 2023|archive-date=13 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613085930/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/siima-2016-kannada-winners-list|url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|7958931}}
{{SIIMA Award for Best Male Débutante}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajkumar, Vinay}} Category:Living people Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema Category:Indian male film actors Category:Male actors from Bengaluru Category:21st-century Indian male actors Category:20th-century Indian male actors Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners Category:1989 births Category:Rajkumar family