BANGALORE, India—Raj Kumar, one of south India's most beloved movie stars who was kidnapped by a notorious bandit, died yesterday at age 77.

Kumar died in a Bangalore hospital of cardiac arrest, a doctor told the Press Trust of India.

Kumar, whose name was also spelled Rajkumar, appeared in 200-plus Kannada-language films in five decades, and had millions of fiercely devoted fans.

Hundreds of distraught fans rioted in Bangalore when police halted them from forcing their way into the late actor's home, New Delhi Television reported.

Police used bamboo canes to drive away angry fans who shattered the windows of several buses and set a half-dozen cars and motorcycles on fire.

The actor's body was later moved to a public park in the heart of the city to allow fans to pay last respects. Kumar will be given a state funeral, news reports said.

Kumar starred in action films, mythological sagas and romance movies.

Although he often played macho heroes who subdued scheming villains, he also was known for never smoking cigarettes on screen, or playing a drunkard after his early days.

He was in the news again in 2000 when he was kidnapped by Veerappan, a famed bandit who had spent decades eluding police in the forests of south India before he died in a police ambush in 2004.

Kumar was freed by Veerappan after 109 days living in the forests with his gang. Local reports said a large ransom was paid, although Kumar denied that.

Kumar's was introduced to acting as a child, by his father who performed in plays in small Indian villages. He soon dropped out of school to act on the stage and later in the movies.

He won more than 20 national and state awards for his contribution to Indian cinema. His fans called him "Annavaru" meaning "respected elder brother."

Movie reviews often told of audiences booing villains who tried to pick fights with his characters. Fans were known to worship his image and pray that his films would be successful at the box office.

He also was a singer whose range extended from dance numbers to classical and devotional songs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS