Veeraswamy Ravichandran is an Indian actor, director, producer, music director, lyricist and editor in the Kannada Film Industry. He is the son of film producer N. Veeraswamy. As producer, Ravichandran continues to run his father's production house, Sri Eswari Productions. He is popularly known as "Crazy Star", a title fans have prefixed to his name.[4] He is famous for bringing innovations to Kannada film industry beginning with Premaloka (1987).
Ravichandran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Veeraswamy Ravichandran 30 May 1961 Thirunelveli, Tamil nadu, India |
| Other names | Rasika |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse |
Sumathy (m. 1986) |
| Children | 3, including Manoranjan[1] |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Balaji (brother)[3] |
Personal life edit
Ravichandran was born on 30 May 1961 in Vellore, Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), India to Tamil Mudaliyar N. Veeraswamy and Pattammal. His father is N. Veeraswamy was a producer of Kannada films. Ravichandran married Sumathi, on Valentine's Day; 14 February 1986.[5] The couple has a daughter Geethanjali, two sons Manoranjan and Vikram. Manoranjan made his acting debut with Saheba (2017).[6][7]
Film career edit
He made his first on screen appearance as child actor in Dhoomakethu and Kula Gourava - both starring Dr.Rajkumar, the latter also being his father's first movie as independent producer. He made his debut as a producer with Prema Matsara (1982). He began his acting career with an antagonist role in Khadeema Kallaru (1982) which was produced by him. His second film was Chakravyuha (1983) which was also co-produced by him. He then appeared in few more successful films before casting himself and introducing Juhi Chawla in Premaloka (1987) which turned out to be a blockbuster. He is often considered as "The Show Man" of Kannada cinema for his multi-faceted works in his associated films.[8]
Ravichandran initially acted in and directed movies produced by his own banner, Eswari Productions. After Premaloka, he accepted acting offers from other producers. He has worked with leading directors of the Kannada film industry such as Rajendra Singh Babu and D. Rajendra Babu. His association with D. Rajendra Babu is very successful, resulting in several hits, including Naanu Nanna Hendthi (1985), Ramachaari (1991), Sriramachandra (1992), Annayya (1993) and Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998).[9]
Shanti Kranti (1991) was the most expensive film ever made in Kannada industry at that time. The film was a multilingual project with Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna in prominent roles in Tamil and Telugu respectively but the film did not do well in box-office.[10] Ramachaari (1991), Halli Meshtru (1992), Putnanja (1995) were notable blockbusters in 90s. Ravichandran and Hamsalekha collaborated on dozens of movies. The end of their long-standing partnership proved to be unsuccessful for both of them. In 2002, Ravichandran embarked on an ambitious film called Ekangi. Shot inside a massive glass mansion built at a cost of Rs 80 lakh, it was a unique take on loneliness. The success of Malla (2004) began a new chapter in his career.
He started his company Eswari Audio later to be known as Eswari Entertainments. He was also awarded as the Best Musical Director on the state level. He not only brought the trend of Big-Budget Movies to Kannada cinema but also brought in Digital Grading technology. He started selling music cassettes through cable operators to beat piracy. Ravichandran was also seen on television as a judge in Dancing-star season-2 on Colors Kannada.[11]
His most recent successes were Maanikya (2014), Drishya (2014) and Hebbuli (2017).
In 2019, Ravichandran played the role of Krishna in Kurukshetra. This was the first mythological film in his career.
In 2021, he reprised his role as Rajendra Ponnappa in Drishya 2 receiving praise like its predecessor.[12]
Filmography edit
As actor edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Dhoomakethu | Child actor | |
| 1971 | Kula Gourava | Young Shankar | Child actor |
| 1982 | Khadeema Kallaru | Johnny | |
| 1983 | Chakravyuha | Khoya Khoya | [a] |
| 1984 | Naane Raja | Raja | |
| Premigala Saval | |||
| Pralayanthaka | Raja / Johnny | [a] | |
| 1985 | Savira Sullu | Muddukrishna | [a] |
| Pithamaha | |||
| Swabhimana | |||
| Naanu Nanna Hendthi | Ravi | [a] | |
| 1986 | Na Ninna Preetisuve | Vijay | |
| Asambhava | |||
| Poi Mugangal | Raja | Tamil film; credited as Rakesh | |
| 1987 | Premaloka | Ravi | |
| Paruva Ragam | Ravi | Tamil film | |
| Sangrama | Arjun Brahmavar | ||
| 1988 | Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara | Narayan | |
| Ranadheera | Ranadheera (Murali)[b] | ||
| Anjada Gandu | Anand | ||
| Ramanna Shamanna | Shyam | ||
| 1989 | Yuddha Kaanda | Ravi Bramhavar | |
| Yuga Purusha | Raaja | ||
| Kindari Jogi | Kindari Jogi/Ravi | [a] | |
| Poli Huduga | |||
| 1990 | Bannada Gejje | Manu | |
| Abhimanyu | |||
| 1991 | Ramachaari | Ramachaari | Also singer |
| Shanti Kranti | Subhash | ||
| Shanti Kranti | Bharath | Telugu film | |
| Nattukku Oru Nallavan | Bharath | Tamil film | |
| Shanti Kranti | Bharath | Hindi film | |
| 1992 | Halli Meshtru | Meshtru | |
| Gopi Krishna | Gopikrishna/(Muddukrishna)[b] | ||
| Guru Brahma | Guru/Bhramha | ||
| Chikkejamanru | |||
| Sriramachandra | Srirama/Chandra[c] | ||
| Belliyappa Bangarappa | Guest appearance | ||
| 1993 | Gadibidi Ganda | Gopal | |
| Annayya | Annayya | ||
| Mane Devru | Ranganath | ||
| 1994 | Chinna | Chinna | |
| Rasika | Krishna | ||
| Jaana | Ravishankar | ||
| 1995 | Putnanja | Putnanja | |
| 1996 | Sipayi | Sipayi/Shivu | |
| 1997 | Kalavida | Vishwa | |
| Mommaga | |||
| Cheluva | Cheluva/Vijay[c] | ||
| 1998 | Yaare Neenu Cheluve | Surya | |
| Mangalyam Tantunanena | Vijay | ||
| Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene | Himself | Guest appearance | |
| Preethsod Thappa | Raja | ||
| 1999 | Ravimama | Ravi | |
| Naanu Nanna Hendthiru | Sriram | ||
| Sneha | Murali | ||
| O Premave | Raja | ||
| Chora Chittha Chora | |||
| 2000 | Mahathma | [13] | |
| Preethsu Thappenilla | Balu | ||
| O Nanna Nalle | Raja | ||
| 2001 | Premakke Sai | Venu | |
| Kanasugara | Ravi | ||
| Usire | Mutthu | ||
| 2002 | Preethi Mado Hudugarigella | Ravi | |
| Ekangi | Ravi | ||
| Kodanda Rama | Kodanda | ||
| 2003 | Ondagona Baa | Raghu | |
| 2004 | Malla | Mallikarjuna / Shiva[c] | Also lyricist |
| Rama Krishna | Rama | ||
| Sahukara | Muthu | ||
| 2004 | Aham Premasmi | God of Love | Also editor |
| Pandu Ranga Vittala | Vithala (Pandu, Ranga)[b] | ||
| 2006 | Neenello Naanalle | Special Appearance | |
| Hatavadi | Balu | ||
| Odahuttidavalu | Puttaraju | ||
| Ravi Shastri | Ravi Shastri | ||
| Neelakanta | Neelakanta | ||
| 2007 | Ugadi | Sanjay | |
| 2008 | Nee Tata Naa Birla | Ravi | |
| 2009 | Rajakumari | Music Teacher | Guest appearance |
| 2010 | Hoo | Anand | |
| Naariya Seere Kadda | Gopal | ||
| Aithalakkadi | Special appearance | ||
| 2011 | Mallikarjuna | Mallikarjuna/Surya | [c] |
| Kalla Malla Sulla | Ravi | ||
| 2012 | Narasimha | Narasimha | |
| Dashamukha | Ravindranath R. | ||
| Crazy Loka | Basavaraj Kattimane | ||
| 2014 | Crazy Star | Ravi | |
| Maanikya | Adishesha | ||
| Drishya | Rajendra Ponnappa | [14] | |
| Paramashiva | Shiva | ||
| 2015 | Love You Alia | Ravi | |
| 2016 | Apoorva | Rajashekar | |
| Lakshmana | Police Officer | Guest appearance | |
| Mungaru Male 2 | Preetham's father | ||
| 2017 | Hebbuli | Sathya Moorthy | |
| 2018 | Seizer | Seizer's Boss | |
| Buckasura | Chakaravrthy | ||
| 2019 | Padde Huli | Manju's father | |
| Dasharatha | Dasharatha | ||
| Kurukshetra | Krishna | ||
| Aa Drushya | Surya Tej | ||
| 2021 | Kannadiga | Gunabhadra | |
| Drishya 2 | Rajendra Ponnappa | ||
| 2022 | Ravi Bopanna | Ravi Bopanna | |
| Head Bush | Professor | Guest appearance | |
| Vijayanand | Ganesh Dada | ||
| 2023 | Kranti | Bhargava Rayanna | |
| KD - The Devil | Annayyappa | ||
| 2024 | The Judgement |
As director, producer and writer edit
| Year | Film | Credited as | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Producer | Writer | Music director | Editor | |||
| 1982 | Prema Matsara | 
|
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| Khadeema Kallaru |
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| 1983 | Chakravyuha |
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| 1984 | Inquilaab |
|
Hindi Film | ||||
| Pralayanthaka |
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| 1985 | Savira Sullu |
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| Naanu Nanna Hendthi |
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||||||
| Padikkadavan |
|
Tamil Film | |||||
| 1987 | Premaloka | |
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|||
| Paruva Ragam | |
|
|
Tamil film | |||
| 1988 | Ranadheera | |
|
Screenplay | |||
| 1989 | Kindari Jogi | |
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|
|||
| 1991 | Ramachaari |
|
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| Shanti Kranti | |
|
Telugu Film | ||||
| Nattukku Oru Nallavan | |
|
|
Tamil Film | |||
| Shanti Kranti | |
|
|
Hindi Film | |||
| 1992 | Halli Meshtru | |
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| Gopi Krishna | |
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| 1993 | Mane Devru | |
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| 1994 | Chinna | |
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| 1995 | Putnanja | |
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| 1996 | Sipayi | |
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| 1997 | Kalavida | |
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| Mommaga | |
Screenplay | |||||
| Cheluva | |
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| 1998 | Preethsod Thappa | |
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| 1999 | Naanu Nanna Hendthiru | |
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| Sneha | |
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| O Premave | |
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| Chora Chittha Chora | |
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| 2000 | Mahathma | |
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| Preethsu Thappenilla | |
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| O Nanna Nalle | |
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| 2002 | Ekangi | |
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| Kodanda Rama | |
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| 2004 | Malla | |
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| 2005 | Ayya | Lyrics | |
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| Aham Premasmi | |
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| Thunta | Lyrics | ||||||
| Pandu Ranga Vittala | |
||||||
| 2006 | Hatavadi | |
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|
| Neelakanta | |
||||||
| 2010 | Hoo | |
Screenplay | |
|||
| Aithalakkadi | Lyrics | ||||||
| Naariya Seere Kadda | Lyrics | ||||||
| 2014 | Crazy Star | |
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| 2016 | Apoorva | |
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|
|
| 2022 | Ravi Bopanna | |
|
Screenplay | |
|
|
Awards edit
Cinema Express Awards
- Cinema Express Award For Best Debut Director - Premaloka - 1987
- Cinema Express Award For Best Actor - Premaloka - 1987
- Cinema Express Award For Best Director - Ranadheera - 1989
Karnataka State Film Awards
- Karnataka State Film Award (Special Jury Award) – Shanti Kranti
- Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor – Ekangi (2001–02)
- Karnataka State Film Award for Best Director for Ekangi (2001–02)
- Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director for Ekangi (2001–02)
- Puttanna Kanagal Award for Lifetime Achievement (2005–06)
Other Awards
- Suvarna Film Awards for Lifetime Achievement
- Rajyotsava Awards (2010)
- Udaya Film Award for Best Supporting Actor – Aham Premasmi
- NTR National Award - 2013
- Honorary Doctorate From CMR University - 2019
- Honorary Doctorate From Bangalore university - 2022[15]
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ "Ravichandran to direct son Vikram Ravichandran". The Times of India. India. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ "Passion for the reel". Deccan Herald. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ "Did you know Naagarahavu turned Vishnuvardhan into a star overnight?". The New Indian Express. India. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Ravichandran: Rare Pics of 'Crazy Star'!". 30 May 2015.
- ^ "Ravichandran celebrates 25th marriage anniversary on V-Day". 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Ravichandran's son Manoranjan makes his debut!". Sify. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014.
- ^ "Ravichandran launches his son Vikram". The Times of India.
- ^ "V Ravichandran : Kannada Actor| Writer Age, Movies, Biography, Photos".
- ^ "Exclusive biography of #Ravichandran and on his life".
- ^ "India's biggest flop was India's most expensive film, earned just Rs 8 crore with three superstars, maker went bankrupt". DNA India. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "Sandalwood Movie Actor V Ravichandran Biography, News, Photos, Videos".
- ^ "Drishya 2 movie review: The truth, lies, and everything in between". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Movie Review".
- ^ Sharadhaa, A (21 June 2014). "Ravichandran Shines in this Well-crafted Drama". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "Ravichandran receives an honorary doctorate at BCU's first convocation". 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
External links edit
- Ravichandran at IMDb