V. Ravichandran

Not to be confused with Viswanathan Ravichandran, a Tamil film producer.
V Ravichandaran
Born (1961-05-30) 30 May 1961
Residence Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Other names Crazy Star
Occupation Film actor, director, producer, editor, screenwriter, composer, lyricist
Years active 1981–present
Spouse(s) Sumathy (m. 1986)
Children 3
Parent(s) N. Veeraswamy (father)
Pattammal (mother)

Veeraswamy Ravichandran (born 30 May 1961), known mononymously as Ravichandran (Kannada: ರವಿಚಂದ್ರನ್), is an Indian film actor, director, music director and editor best known for his work in Kannada cinema. He is often considered as "The Show Man" of Kannada cinema for his multi-faceted works in his associated films.[1]

Son of notable film producer N. Veeraswamy, Ravichandran made his acting debut in Khadeema Kallaru (1982) at the age of 21 as an antagonist and followed it up with Chakravyuha in 1983. After starring in a series of multi-starrers in supporting and lead roles, he cast himself in his directorial debut Premaloka (1987) which became one of the highest grossing blockbuster films in Kannada cinema.[2] As a producer, he continues to run Sri Eswari Productions.[3][4] He is fondly and popularly known as the Crazy Star of Kannada cinema.[5]

Personal life

Ravichandran was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India on 30 May 1961. His parents are N. Veeraswamy and Pattammal. His father N. Veeraswamy is the notable producer of South Indian film industry and his family is Tamil-speaking Mudaliars.[6] Ravichandran married Sumathi, on the Valentine's Day; 14 February 1986.[7] The couple have a daughter Geethanjali and two sons Manoranjan and Vikram. Manoranjan is making his acting debut in a Kannada film slated for release in 2015.[8][9]

Film career

As an actor

Ravichandran started his film career in the early 1980s and acted in many movies along with well-known actors of the Kannada industry, including Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Prabhakar and Rajesh produced by his father. His first movie was Khadeema Kallaru(1982) (as one of the villains). Ravichandran's initial movies were box-office hits. His major commercial success as a leading actor came from Premaloka, a romantic comedy movie starring Juhi Chawla in the female lead role.Premaloka became all-time blockbuster and cemented Ravichandrans position.He became noted for his mesmerising looks and charismatic style. He was at peaks in late 80s to mid 90s[10] Post-Premaloka, Ravichandran starred in several hits, most notably Ranadheera (which was a remake of Subhash Ghai's Hero), Anjada Gandu, Yuddha Kaanda, Ramachaari, Halli Meshtru, Gadibidi Ganda, Annayya, Sipayi, Yaare Neenu Cheluve, Mangalyam Tantunanena, Preethsod Thappa and Malla. Ravichandran best pairs with South Indian actress Kushboo.

His role as an innocent village bumpkin in Ramachaari was featured at the Ontario Film Festival. He has stuck to mostly stereotyped roles: a police officer (Shanti Kranti and Abhimanyu), lover (Premaloka, Anjada Gandu, and Preethsod Thappa), pop singer (Yuga Purusha, and Gadibidi Ganda), rustic Sipayi, Chikkejamanru, Halli Meshtru, and Malla, and lawyer (Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara and Yuddha Kaanda).[11]

As director

Ravichandran shot to instant fame when Premaloka, which he produced, directed, and starred in, became one of the landmark films in Kannada film history. It was made with a budget of a crore rupees, the most expensive Kannada film in its time. It starred Juhi Chawla as the female lead. Also Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Tiger Prabhakar and other superstars of that period played guest role in the movie respecting their long time association with Eshwari Productions. Premaloka also established Hamsalekha, who would teamed up with Ravichandran for a long period.

Premaloka broke several records and defined much of Ravichandran's later film making. It set the stage for lavish productions in the Kannada film industry, and inspired a generation of directors. Ravichandran is generally credited with introducing a culture of producing big-budget films in Kannada. 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 directors of the Kannada film industry such as S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu and D. Rajendra Babu.

As producer

Ravichandran first movie as a producer is not from his father company, he started his own company(Ravi Cine Creation)and produced "Prema Matsara" he announced the date of release with list of theatre on the Muhurth day itself. The movie turned out a break even financially for him.The second movie he produced was "Kadima Kallaru" and also appeared in a small role for the first time and this was his first movie as actor. It was financial disaster in the box office. He also produced a Hindi movie with Amitabh bachchan and Shridevi Inquilaab (film) which was a remake of blockbuster Kannada movie "Chakravyuha" starring Ambareesh and Ambika in lead role.

In 1991, Ravichandran released Shanti Kranti,[12] the costliest movie ever made in South India till then. Considered his magnum opus, the film was shot over four years with a budget of 40 million rupees, and was simultaneously made in Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil. The movie was commercial failure, due to it slow paced story telling and Ravichandran suffered huge losses financially and morally.

Music director

Ravichandran is credited with "discovering" the talented Hamsalekha. Together, they worked in over 25 films and created several popular numbers. However, the duo parted company after Preethsod Thappa, only to work again in Ondagona Baa, which was a commercial and musical failure. In Hamsalekha's absence, Ravichandran took up the role of a music director and created a few popular tunes in Ekangi and Aham Premasmi. But critics generally consider him a below average music director. He also got a state award as the best musical director.

Ravichandran started his own audio company, "Eswari Audio", which later was renamed into "Eshwari Entertainments". For his brother's debut movie, Aham Premasmi, he bypassed the entire music industry and sold the music cassettes through cable operators to beat piracy and brought " Digital Grading " Technology to Kannada Film Industry and also brought color technicians from abroad.

Television

Ravichandran has done a spectacular debut to Kannada television as a talent show judge. Dancing Star-season 2 on Colors Kannada saw him as a very popular judge. He continued his relationship with the show when Channel launched the extension of the show: Dancing Star Junior.

Filmography

Year Title Language Credited as Notes
Actor Director Producer Music director
1971 Kula Gourava Kannada Yes T. G. Lingappa Child actor
1982 Prema Matsara Kannada Yes Shankar-Ganesh
Khadeema Kallaru Kannada Yes Yes Shankar-Ganesh
1983 Chakravyuha Kannada Yes Yes Shankar-Ganesh Co-produced with N. Veeraswamy
1984 Naane Raja Kannada Yes Shankar-Ganesh
Inquilaab Hindi Yes Laxmikant-Pyarelal Co-produced with N. Veeraswamy,
Remake of Chakravyuha
Premigala Saval Kannada Yes Rajan-Nagendra
Pralayanthaka Kannada Yes Yes Shankar-Ganesh Co-produced with N. Veeraswamy
1985 Savira Sullu Kannada Yes Yes Shankar-Ganesh Co-produced with N. Veeraswamy
Pithamaha Kannada Yes M. Ranga Rao Remake of Hindi film Vidhaata
Swabhimana Kannada Yes Shankar-Ganesh
Naanu Nanna Hendthi Kannada Yes Yes Shankar-Ganesh Co-produced with N. Veeraswamy
Padikkathavan Tamil Yes Ilaiyaraaja co-produced along with N. Veerasamy
1986 Na Ninna Preetisuve Kannada Yes Shankar-Ganesh
Asambhava Kannada Yes Shankar-Ganesh
Poi Mugangal Tamil Yes Shankar-Ganesh Debuted in Tamil, directed by C. V. Rajendran
1987 Premaloka Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Story inspired from English film Grease 2
Paruva Ragam Tamil Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Simultaneously shot with the Kannada movie Premaloka
Sangrama Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Hindi film Arjun
1988 Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara Kannada Yes Vijayanand
Ranadheera Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Hindi film Hero
Anjada Gandu Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Thambikku Entha Ooru
Ramanna Shamanna Kannada Yes S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1989 Yuddha Kaanda Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Hindi film Meri Jung
Yuga Purusha Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Hindi film Karz
Kindari Jogi Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Co-produced with N. Veeraswamy
Poli Huduga Kannada Yes Hamsalekha
1990 Bannada Gejje Kannada Yes Hamsalekha
Abhimanyu Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Telugu film Ankusham
1991 Ramachaari Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Chinna Thambi
Shanti Kranti Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Winner Karnataka State Film Award for Special Technical category
Nattukku Oru Nallavan Tamil Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Simultaneously shot with the Kannada movie Shanti Kranti
Shanti Kranti (Telugu) Telugu Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha
1992 Halli Meshtru Kannada Yes Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Mundhanai Mudichu
Gopi Krishna Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Nadigan
Guru Brahma Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Played dual roles
Chikkejamanru Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Chinna Gounder
Sriramachandra Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Played dual roles
Remake of Tamil film Kalyanaraman
1993 Gadibidi Ganda Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Played dual roles
Remake of Telugu film Allari Mogudu
Annayya Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Beta
Mane Devru Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Mouna Geethangal
1994 Chinna Kannada Yes Yes Hamsalekha
Rasika Kannada Yes Hamsalekha
Jaana Kannada Yes Hamsalekha
1995 Putnanja Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Pattikada Pattanama
1996 Sipayi Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha
1997 Kalavida Kannada Yes Yes Yes Hamsalekha
Mommaga Kannada Yes Yes Hamsalekha
Cheluva Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Played dual roles
Remake of Telugu film Hello Brother
1998 Yaare Neenu Cheluve Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Kadhal Kottai
Mangalyam Tantunanena Kannada Yes V. Manohar Remake of Telugu film Pavitra Bandham
Preethsod Thappa Kannada Yes Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Telugu film Ninne Pelladatha
1999 Ravimama Kannada Yes L. N. Shastri Remake of Tamil film En Thangachi Padichava
Naanu Nanna Hendthiru Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Tamil film Thaikulame Thaikulame
Sneha Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Telugu film Snehithulu
O Premave Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Telugu film Premante Idera
Chora Chittha Chora Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Telugu film Allari Priyudu
2000 Mahathma Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Telugu film
Preethsu Thappenilla Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Telugu film Tholi Prema
O Nanna Nalle Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Tamil film Thulladha Manamum Thullum
2001 Premakke Sai Kannada Yes Mani Sharma Remake of Telugu film Chirunavvutho
Kanasugara Kannada Yes Rajesh Ramanath Remake of Tamil film Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
Usire Kannada Yes Ilaiyaraaja Remake of Tamil film Bharathi Kannamma
2002 Preethi Mado Hudugarigella Kannada Yes Hamsalekha
Ekangi Kannada Yes Yes Yes Yes Winner - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Director
Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor
Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director
Kodanda Rama Kannada Yes Yes Yes Remake of Malayalam film Thenkasi Pattanam
2003 Ondagona Baa Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Telugu film Kalisundam Raa
2004 Malla Kannada Yes Yes Also a lyricist
Rama Krishna Kannada Yes S. A. Rajkumar Remake of Tamil film Aan Paavam
Sahukara Kannada Yes Rajesh Ramanath Remake of Tamil film Mutthu
2005 Ayya Kannada Yes
Aham Premasmi Kannada Yes Yes Yes Yes Winner - Udaya Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
Pandu Ranga Vittala Kannada Yes Yes
2006 Neenello Naanalle Kannada Ramesh Krishna Special Appearance
Hatavadi Kannada Yes Yes Yes Yes
Odahuttidavalu Kannada Yes R. P. Patnaik Remake of Tamil film Porkaalam
Ravi Shastri Kannada Yes Rajesh Ramanath Remake of Tamil film Idhu Namma Aalu
Neelakanta Kannada Yes Yes Remake of Tamil film Aranmanai Kili
2007 Ugadi Kannada Yes R. P. Patnaik Remake of Telugu film Santosham
2008 Nee Tata Naa Birla Kannada Yes Gurukiran
2009 Rajakumari Kannada Yes V. Harikrishna Remake of Tamil film Anandha Poongatre
2010 Hoo Kannada Yes V. Harikrishna Remake of Telugu film Vasantham and Tamil film Priyamana Thozhi
Naariya Seere Kadda Kannada Yes V. Manohar
2011 Mallikarjuna Kannada Yes S. A. Rajkumar Remake of Tamil film Thavasi
Kalla Malla Sulla Kannada Yes Alex Paul Remake of Tamil film Charlie Chaplin
2012 Narasimha Kannada Yes Hamsalekha Remake of Tamil film Maayi
Dashamukha Kannada Yes Sridhar V. Sambhram
Sadhu Kokila
Remake of English film 12 Angry Men
Crazy Loka Kannada Yes Manikanth Kadri
2014 Crazy Star Kannada Yes Yes Yes inspired from Malayalam film Traffic
Maanikya[13][14] Kannada Yes Arjun Janya Remake of Telugu film Mirchi
Drishya Kannada Yes Ilaiyaraaja Remake of Malayalam film Drishyam
Paramashiva Kannada Yes Arjun Janya
S. A. Rajkumar
Remake of Tamil film Samuthiram
2015 Love You Alia Kannada Yes Jassie Gift
2016 Mungaru Male 2 Kannada Yes Arjun Janya Filming
Lakshmana Kannada Yes Arjun Janya Supporting role, Post-Production
TBA Hebbuli Kannada Yes Arjun Janya Filming
Apoorva Kannada Yes Yes Yes Yes
Manjina Hani Kannada Yes Yes Yes Yes Filming

Awards

References

External links

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