Rangayana Raghu
Indian theatre, film actor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Koththuru Chikkarangappa Raghunath (born 17 April 1965),[1] known by his screen name Rangayana Raghu, is an Indian film and stage actor, known for his work in Kannada cinema. He is a recipient of multiple Filmfare Awards South, SIIMA Awards, and two Karnataka State Film Awards.
Rangayana Raghu | |
|---|---|
Raghu during the filming of Ishtakamya, 2015 | |
| Born | 17 April 1965 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Spouse |
Mangala (m. 1998) |
| Children | 1 |
Born in Koththuru, a village in the Tumkur district of the erstwhile Mysore State (now Karnataka), to a Bayalaata artist, Raghu was inspired to act as a teenager. He began his career in theatre and worked as a stage actor with B. V. Karanth's theatre group Rangayana, from 1988 to 1999. His first feature film, Suggi, got shelved, and Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga (1998) was his first release. During the initial phase of his career, Raghu usually portrayed comedic or negative-shaded characters and played supporting roles. His first major break came when he appeared as an antagonist in Dhumm (2002). He is best noted for his performance in the 2007 film Duniya which won him his second Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. His other notable roles during this period came in Ranga SSLC (2004), Suntaragaali (2006), Cyanide (2006), Raam (2009), Olave Mandara (2011) and Jayammana Maga (2013).
Later, Raghu progressed to play more character and lead roles, while also appearing frequently in comedic roles. He became noted for his versatility, and earned praise for his performances in films such as Badava Rascal (2021), Family Pack (2022), Rangasamudra (2024) and Shakhahaari (2024).[2][3] He has appeared in more than 400 films.[4]
Early life
Raghu was born as Kotturu Chikkarangappa Raghunath on 17 April 1965 as the ninth child of Chikkarangaiah and Veeramma, in a village Kotturu, in Pavagada taluk of the Tumkur district of the erstwhile Mysore State (now Karnataka).[1] His father Chikkarangaiah was an agriculturist and folk artist who played Bayalaata. Raghu completed his schooling and college education in National College, Bangalore, where he developed an interest in acting. He was encouraged to act in plays by Rajashekhar, the son of noted playwright, Chandrashekhara Kambara. He also referred Raghu to the theatre institute, Rangayana in Mysore in 1988.[5][6]
Career
Raghu trained as an actor in Rangayana before joining films in the mid-1990s. He last performed on stage in 2001. In 2004, he started the theatre group, Sanchari, with his wife, Mangala.[7][8]
Raghu made his film debut in the 1995 Kannada-language film Suggi directed by Hamsalekha that eventually got shelved.[9] His first release was Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga (1998), that saw him appear in a supporting role.[5] He then appeared in the 2002 film Dhumm, which followed minor roles in Megha Banthu Megha (1998) and Aryabhata (1999). His major breakthrough was Yogaraj Bhat's debut directorial venture Mani (2003). Raghu then received praise for his performances in films like Ranga SSLC (2004), Duniya (2007), Modalasala (2010), Alemari (2012), and Director's Special (2013).[10][11] Raghu made his debut in Tulu films in 2018 with My Name is Annappa.[12]
Raghu played a respected folk artist humiliated by a wealthy man in Rangasamudra (2024), a film set in the North Karnataka region. His only grandson intends to restore his grandfather's lost self-respect by buying him a car. A. Sharadhaa of The New Indian Express wrote, "Rangayana Raghu shines every time he graces the screen, as a folk artist, he exemplifies a life of dignity."[13] In the thriller, Shakhahaari (2024), he played an innocent Subbanna Bhat, who runs a small hotel, and has to shield a man on the run who is accused of murdering his wife. The film and Raghu's performance received praise from critics. The reviewer for Deccan Herald wrote: "Veteran Rangayana Raghu is brilliant in a nuanced role demanding wholesome acting. He seamlessly traverses through varied emotions."[14]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga | Patil | |
| Megha Banthu Megha | |||
| 1999 | Aryabhata | ||
| 2001 | Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu | Police officer | |
| 2002 | Dhumm | Legislator | |
| 2003 | Sri Ram | Chakratheertha | |
| Mani | Chami | ||
| Hrudayavantha | |||
| 2004 | Ranga SSLC | Kunta Naga | |
| Dharma | |||
| Sahukara | Benkiyappa | ||
| Bhagawan | Sharath Simha | ||
| Sarvabhouma | Jayaraj | ||
| Omkara | Divya's father | ||
| 2005 | Rakshasa | Cheluvaraju | |
| Valmiki | Ballanna | ||
| Gunna | Sharma | ||
| Swamy | Constable | ||
| Boyfriend | |||
| Jootata | Mallangowda | ||
| 2006 | 7 O' Clock | ||
| Suntaragaali | D. Rajahuli | ||
| Shishya | |||
| Chellata | Jagadish | [15] | |
| Honeymoon Express | Ranganath | ||
| Tirupathi | Ekanath Bhavade | ||
| Cyanide | Ranganath | ||
| Odahuttidavalu | |||
| Thangigagi | Shadeshwara | ||
| Tenali Rama | |||
| 2007 | Poojari | ||
| Duniya | Satyanna | ||
| Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige | Kurupayya | ||
| Gunavantha | Gold Reddy | ||
| Parodi | Moneylender | ||
| Snehana Preethina | Raghunath Rao | ||
| Sixer | Malpe Nayaka | ||
| Geleya | |||
| Ganesha | |||
| 2008 | Hani Hani | ||
| Beladingalaagi Baa | |||
| Gaalipata | Byregowda | ||
| Payana | |||
| Inthi Ninna Preethiya | "Naayi" Seenappa | ||
| Taj Mahal | Shankar | ||
| Vasanthakala | |||
| Avva | Baramanna | ||
| Dheemaku | |||
| Mast Maja Maadi | Somanath Tantri | ||
| Kodagana Koli Nungitha | |||
| Yuga Yugagale Saagali | |||
| Minchina Ota | |||
| Sangama | Gajaraj | ||
| Athmeeya | |||
| Bidda | |||
| 2009 | Rajakumari | ||
| Prem Kahani | |||
| Maleyali Jotheyali | Rangappa | ||
| Raam | Krishna Murthy | ||
| Olave Jeevana Lekkachaara | Ratna | ||
| Junglee | Gudde Narasimha | ||
| Mr. Painter | |||
| Nanda | |||
| Kallara Santhe | Chief Minister of Karnataka | ||
| Rajani | Bobby | ||
| Kannadada Kiran Bedi | |||
| Gubbachchigalu | |||
| Muniya | |||
| 2010 | Jokali | ||
| Appu and Pappu | Jogi Chan | ||
| Ullasa Utsaha | Raghupati | ||
| Mylari | |||
| Shankar IPS | |||
| Gubbi | Gowda | ||
| Hendtheer Darbar | |||
| Sanchari | |||
| Huli | |||
| Rame Gowda vs Krishna Reddy | Krishna Reddy | ||
| Kari Chirathe | |||
| Gang Leader | |||
| Antharathma | Ghost | [16] | |
| Dildar | |||
| Hoo | |||
| Tsunami | |||
| Modalasala | Deepu's father | ||
| Jackie | Meese Bheemanna | ||
| Kiccha Huccha | |||
| Eradane Maduve | |||
| Gandedhe | "SMS" | ||
| Aithalakkadi | Raghu | ||
| Huduga Hudugi | |||
| Swayamvara | Col. Kenchappa | ||
| Chirru | Rajasekhar | ||
| 2011 | Olave Mandara | Ratna | |
| Happy Husband | |||
| Rama Rama Raghurama | Raghurama | ||
| Kaanchaana | |||
| Idonthara Love Story | |||
| Kaalgejje | |||
| Rajani | |||
| Ee Sanje | |||
| Kool: Sakkath Hot Maga | |||
| Veerabahu | "Amavasye" | ||
| Saarathi | Raja's adoptive father | ||
| Kannadi | |||
| Lakshmi | |||
| Alemari | Devu's father | ||
| Devadas | |||
| Tyagu | |||
| Swayam Krushi | |||
| Auto Manja | |||
| Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam | "Maamu" | ||
| Swamiji | |||
| Sanju Weds Geetha | Saasa | ||
| O Manase | |||
| Gun | Wasim Khan | ||
| Hudugaru | Kodanda | ||
| Manase Mandaram | |||
| Thathaasthu | |||
| Belgaum | |||
| Tirugubothu | |||
| Prince | Raghunath | ||
| Boss | Nandu | ||
| Tumba Ishta Swalpa Kashta | |||
| 90 | |||
| Paramathma | Raghava | ||
| Jarasandha | Bull Naidu | ||
| Shyloo | |||
| 2012 | Ko Ko | ||
| Tsunami | |||
| Chingari | |||
| Alemari | |||
| Anna Bond | Chapathi Babu | ||
| Breaking News | Managing director of Do Company | ||
| Villain | |||
| Jaanu | |||
| Dandupalya | |||
| Shiva | Panduranga Shetty | ||
| Romeo | Kashinath | ||
| Rambo | Mangalore Annappa | ||
| Kalaya Tasmai Namaha | |||
| Mr. 420 | Ranganna | ||
| Super Shastri | |||
| 2013 | Lakshmi | "Deal" Raja | |
| Topiwala | Ramanayana Raghu | ||
| CID Eesha | Narasimha | ||
| Aane Pataaki | Govindanna | ||
| Director's Special | Panche Shastry / Ramachandra | ||
| Kaddipudi | Jinke | ||
| Mahanadi | |||
| Mangana Kaiyalli Manikya | Prabhu | ||
| Case No. 18/9 | Revanna | ||
| Jayammana Maga | Bhagavanta | ||
| Shathru | Adisesha | ||
| Chaddi Dosth | Ranganna | ||
| 2014 | Brahma | "Lucky Man" | |
| Crazy Star | |||
| Dil Rangeela | |||
| Manada Mareyalli | |||
| Agraja | |||
| Gajakesari | Agni | ||
| Preethi Geethi Ityaadi | |||
| 24 Carat | |||
| Power *** | P. V. Bhushan | ||
| 2015 | Jackson | ||
| Krishna-Leela | Chandrashekar | ||
| Nagaari | |||
| Rana Vikrama | |||
| Daksha | |||
| Bullet Basya | |||
| Dove | |||
| Ganga | |||
| Ramleela | Mekedatu Papanna | ||
| Sharpshooter | |||
| 2016 | Parapancha | Mountbatten Tippi | |
| U the End A | |||
| Kala Bhairava | |||
| The Great Story of Sodabuddi | |||
| Chakravyuha | ACP Raghu | ||
| Akira | Gun Guddappa | ||
| Ishtakamya | |||
| Style King | Naga | ||
| Mr. Mommaga | Ravi's grandfather | ||
| Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara | |||
| Crazy Boy | Arjun's adopted father | ||
| Lifeu Super | |||
| Golisoda | |||
| Doddmane Hudga | Nanjunda | ||
| Dana Kayonu | "Subsidy" | ||
| Idolle Ramayana | Inspector Ramdas | ||
| Nagarahavu | |||
| Madha Mathu Manasi | |||
| Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi | Munna's father | ||
| Sundaranga Jaana | Anjaneya | ||
| 2017 | Lee | ||
| Mumbai | |||
| Melkote Manja | |||
| Smile Please | Sadananda | ||
| Raajakumara | Venky | ||
| Jani | |||
| Mugulu Nage | Raghu | [17] | |
| 2018 | Garuda | ||
| Kanaka | [18] | ||
| O Premave | |||
| Gultoo | Anantharamaiah | ||
| Johnny Johnny Yes Papa | Pappa | ||
| Saaguva Daariyalli | |||
| Hyper | |||
| Kannadakkagi Ondannu Otthi | |||
| Aa Karaala Ratri | Muthanna | ||
| Atharva | |||
| Loudspeaker | |||
| Ayogya | |||
| My Name is Annappa | |||
| Aadi Purana | |||
| Jagath Kiladi | |||
| Orange | Giddappa | ||
| Paradesi C/o London | Kenche Gowda | ||
| 2019 | Girgitle | ||
| Missing Boy | Lavakumar | ||
| Panchatantra | Ranganna | ||
| Yaana | |||
| Dasharatha | |||
| Ayushman Bhava | Raghu | ||
| Bharaate | Patela | ||
| Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakasha | Shiva | ||
| 2020 | Drona | Raghu | |
| French Biriyani | Mahadev | ||
| 2021 | Ramarjuna | Peter | |
| Inspector Vikram | ACP Prathap Mishra | ||
| Yuvarathnaa | Staff member in college | ||
| Puksatte Lifu | |||
| Mugilpete | |||
| Sakath | Chalapathi | ||
| Badava Rascal | Rangegowda | ||
| 2022 | James | Rakesh Kumar Pirangi | |
| Gaalipata 2 | Bhairegowda | ||
| Family Pack | Manjunath/Manjanna | ||
| Wheelchair Romeo | Jack Mama | ||
| 2023 | Love Birds | ||
| Gowli | Kakka | ||
| Melody Drama | |||
| Kousalya Supraja Rama | Siddegowda | ||
| Tagaru Palya | Pandappa aka Pandu | ||
| 2024 | Rangasamudra | Rangasamudra | [19] |
| Case of Kondana | ASI Tyagaraj | ||
| Just Pass | Dalavayi | ||
| Shakhahaari | Mastikatte Subramanya "Subbanna" Bhat | ||
| Karataka Damanaka | Mugellappa | ||
| Dilkush | |||
| Night Curfew | Police Inspector | ||
| Moorane Krishnappa | Veeranna | ||
| Kotee | Ramanna | ||
| The Judgement | |||
| Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi | Bhoomdevru | ||
| Bhairadevi | Veeraiah | ||
| 2025 | Sanju Weds Geetha 2 | ||
| Forest | Makalpatti Gopalaswamy | ||
| Royal | |||
| Manada Kadalu | |||
| Vidyapati | [20] | ||
| Agnyathavasi | Inspector Govindu | [21] | |
| S/O Muthanna | Muthanna | ||
| Full Meals | Pulakeshi | ||
| Marutha |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Maarigallu | Mari Gowda | [22] |
Awards and nominations
- 2003–04: Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor: Mani
- 2006–07: Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor: Duniya
- Won; 2006: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Cyanide
- Won; 2024: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Tagaru Palya
- Nominated; 2009: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Raam
- Nominated; 2010:Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Modalasala
- Nominated; 2011:Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Olave Mandara
- Nominated; 2013:Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Jayammana Maga
- Nominated; 2024: Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Kannada: Shakhahaari[23]
- 2011: Best Actor in a Negative Role (Kannada): Sanju Weds Geetha
- 2012: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Kannada): Romeo
- 2021: Best Actor in a Negative Role (Kannada): Drona
- 2021: Best Comedian (Kannada): French Biriyani
- 2012: Best Comedian (Kannada): Shiva
- 2013: Best Comedian (Kannada): Jayammana Maga
- 2015: Best Comedian (Kannada): Power***
- 2016: Best Comedian (Kannada): Rana Vikrama
- 2022: Best Comedian (Kannada): Badava Rascal
- Nominated; 2025: Best Actor (Kannada): Shakhahaari[24]
- 2010: Best Supporting Actor
- 2012: Best Comedian: Mr. 420
- 2007: Best Supporting Actor: Duniya
- 2009: Best Supporting Actor: Modalasala
- 2015Best Performance In A Supporting Role – Male (Kannada): Krishna Leela
- 2015:Best Performance In A Comic Role (Kannada): Rana Vikrama
- Innovative Film Awards
- 2010: Best Supporting Actor[25]