Raghuvaran
Acting • Born 1958-12-11 – Died 2008-03-19
Biography
Raghuvaran was an Indian actor who predominantly acted in movies made in South India. He became famous for his portrayal of villain and character roles in Tamil films. He has acted in more than 150 Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. According to the Hindustan Times, "the actor had carved a niche for himself with his special style and voice modulation. He played the protagonist of a Tamil soap opera, Oru Manidhanin Kadhai, about a well-to-do man who becomes an alcoholic. He received critical acclaim for his role as Father Alphonso in the Malayalam movie Daivathinte Vikruthikal, directed by Lenin Rajendran and based on M. Mukundan's novel of the same name. Following his beginnings on the stage, and a Diploma in acting from Adyar Film Institute in Chennai, Raghuvaran approached many Kollywood studios aiming for performance oriented roles and finally got selected one as hero. The offbeat film named Ezhavathu Manithan (Seventh Man). directed by Hariharan won many awards, but not many offers for him. A few more films followed as hero like Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu and Nee Thodumbothu released, but did n't became a huge success. But the villain role in Silk Silk Silk was noticed and the film's success opened the gate of offers for him. The villain act continued in films like Kutravaaligal, Mr. Bharath, Mandhira Punnagai and Oorkavalan. He appeared as hero as well as supporting actor in between releases as well. The major ones are Mudivalla Arambam and Samsaram Adhu Minsaram. In mid 80's Raghuvaran did many films as hero and most of them did good business as well. The films Michael Raj, Megam Karuththirukku, Kootu Puzhukkal and Kavithai Paada Neramillai helped to stabilize his career. The lawyer in Kaliyugam, the police officer in Thaimel Aanai, the rowdy with a golden heart in Kai Naattu, the honest Medical student turned Goonda in Kuttravali, the common man in En Vazhi Thani Vazhi helped Raghuvaran's market value as hero to reach greater heights. But his desire to try all types of roles, like supporting actor as well as villain simultaneously halted the progress as hero, eventhough he played hero roles in Vyooham, Kavacham and Anjali later. His supporting roles in Annanagar Mudhal Theru and Siva was well received too. In a career span lasting for more than 26 years, Raghuvaran performed each roles with his trademark mannerisms, often stealing the thunder from more established stars and even heroes. His magnetic baritone voice was an advantage and he modulated it to suit his variety of roles. He also set his own style of mannerisms and brought a distinct dialogue delivery and even changed his gait in many films. All this dedication won him more fans and helped his popularity graph soaring more higher. Raghuvaran died on 19 March 2008 cause of the death has been disclosed as organ failure caused by excessive alcohol consumption. His death occurred during the filming stages of several films, including the Tamil film, Kanthaswamy wherein Raghuvaran's performances were left unused and were replaced with Ashish Vidyarthi, which resulted in the film's delayed release.
Filmography
151 credits
Kai Naattu
Movie • 1988
En Vazhi Thani Vazhi
Movie • 1988
Advocate Raja
Sivaji: The Boss
Movie • 2007
Dr. Chezhian
Kalavida
Movie • 1997
Thaimel Aanai
Movie • 1988
Pagalil Pournami
Movie • 1990
Sachein
Movie • 2005
Gowtham
Bheema
Movie • 2008
Periyavar
Deepavali
Movie • 2007
Doctor (Cameo appearance)
Nerrukku Ner
Movie • 1997
Raghu
Arunachalam
Movie • 1997
Vishwanath
Raja Chinna Roja
Movie • 1989
Bhaskar
Oorkavalan
Movie • 1987
Rajadurai
Manithan
Movie • 1987
Engirunthalum Vazhga
Movie • 1985
Marudhamalai
Movie • 2007
Mudhalvan
Movie • 1999
Chief Minister Aranganathan
Baasha
Movie • 1995
Mark Anthony
Kasthuri Maan
Movie • 2005
Alai
Movie • 2003
Thirumalai
Movie • 2003
Artist
Kannukkul Nilavu
Movie • 2000
Dr.Rajasekhar
Mugavari
Movie • 2000
Shiva
Red
Movie • 2002
Sethupathy
Kandukondain Kandukondain
Movie • 2000
Boss
Arasatchi
Movie • 2004
Advocate Ashok Mehta
Yaaradi Nee Mohini
Movie • 2008
Vasu's Father
Run
Movie • 2002
Shiva's Brother in Law
Mass
Movie • 2004
Satya
Sivappathigaram
Movie • 2006
Elango
Captain
Movie • 1994
Kannappa Rao / Kannayiram
Udhaya Neram
Movie • 2011
Nadodi Mannan
Movie • 1995
Narasimha
Movie • 2001
General Raana
Vallarasu
Movie • 2000
DGP Jagannathan
Love Today
Movie • 1997
Selva
Movie • 1996
Varatharajan
Nilaave Vaa
Movie • 1998
Siva
Ullasam
Movie • 1997
GK
Iniyavale
Movie • 1998
Pelli Kani Prasad
Movie • 2003
Kaadhalan
Movie • 1994
Mallikarjuna
Roja Koottam
Movie • 2002
Shiva
Movie • 1990
Bhavani
Azad
Movie • 2000
Deva / CBI Officer Vishwanath / Harkat Ul Ansari Dawood
Izzatdaar
Movie • 1990
Indrajeet Sabharwal
Anjali
Movie • 1990
Shekar
Chaitanya
Movie • 1991
Prathyartha
Movie • 1999
Robert
Aranmanai Kaavalan
Movie • 1994
Duraipandi
Konjum Kili
Movie • 1993
Shock
Movie • 2004
Thotta Chinungi
Movie • 1995
Gopla
Endrendrum Kadhal
Movie • 1999
Shekher
Poo Parikka Varugirom
Movie • 1999
Ranganathan
Uyirile Kalanthathu
Movie • 2000
Raghu
Dost
Movie • 2001
Raghu
Amarkalam
Movie • 1999
Tulasi Das
Hitler
Movie • 1998
Ankush Roy
Rugma
Movie • 1983
Joseph
Soorya Manasam
Movie • 1992
Kizhakkan Pathrose
Movie • 1992
Rudranetra
Movie • 1989
Lankeshwarudu
Movie • 1989
Jebu Donga
Movie • 1987
Pasivadi Pranam
Movie • 1987
Chakravarthy
Puriyaadha Pudhir
Movie • 1990
Birth
Movie • 2004
Evadaithe Nakenti
Movie • 2007
Paasamalargal
Movie • 1994
Anjaneya
Movie • 2003
Venketeaswaran
Jana
Movie • 2004
Jana's father
Naani
Movie • 2004
Scientist
Johnny
Movie • 2003
Ravishankar Damle
Maanthrikam
Movie • 1995
Dr. Abdul Rahman
Thulli Thirintha Kaalam
Movie • 1998
Seema Simham
Movie • 2002
Iraniyan
Movie • 1999
Aande
Poonthottam
Movie • 1998
Dhool Parakuthu
Movie • 1993
Michael Raj
Movie • 1987
Kootu Puzhukkal
Movie • 1987
Kadhal Virus
Movie • 2002
Idhu Unga Kudumbam
Movie • 1989
Megam Karuththirukku
Movie • 1987
Durgi
Movie • 2004
Jayadev (JD)
Bala
Movie • 2002
Jeyamani
Suswagatham
Movie • 1998
Surya Vs Surya
Movie • 2015
Surya's Father (Archive Footage)
Ratchagan
Movie • 1997
Gnaneshwar
Suriya Paarvai
Movie • 1999
The Ghost
Movie • 2022
Ashok Nair (Archive Footage)
Makkal En Pakkam
Movie • 1987
Anna Nagar Mudhal Theru
Movie • 1988
Maaran
Movie • 2002
En Bommukutty Ammavukku
Movie • 1988
Good Luck
Movie • 2000
Parthen Rasithen
Movie • 2000
Star
Movie • 2001
Majunu
Movie • 2001
Gajapathy
Siva
Movie • 1989
John
Naaga
Movie • 2003
Krishnamurthy
Kakka
Movie • 1982
Addeham Enna Iddeham
Movie • 1993
Sudhandhiram
Movie • 2000
En Swasa Kaatre
Movie • 1999
Paneer
Samsaram Adhu Minsaram
Movie • 1986
Chidambaram, the eldest son
Ezhavathu Manithan
Movie • 1982
Anand
அசோகா
Movie • 2008
Huzoor
Alaudin
Movie • 2003
Gangadhar
Rakshak
Movie • 1996
Raghu
Siva
Movie • 1989
Bhavani
Lal Baadshah
Movie • 1999
Vikram Singh / Vicky Baadshah
Poovizhi Vasalile
Movie • 1987
Anand
Vyooham
Movie • 1990
Tony Lewis
University
Movie • 2002
Tamilselvan
Irandil Ondru
Movie • 1988
Abhimanyu
Movie • 1997
Masilamani
Thozhar Pandian
Movie • 1994
Veera Padhakkam
Movie • 1994
En Kanavar
Movie • 1989
Uyarndhavan
Movie • 1992
Puyal Paadum Pattu
Movie • 1987
Pudhiya Mugam
Movie • 1993
A Terrorist
Ellam Avan Seyal
Movie • 2008
Jagadeeswaran IPS from CBI
Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu
Movie • 1983
Anaganaga Oka Roju
Movie • 1997
Police Officer Raghu
Arul tharum Ayyappan
Movie • 1987
Mr. Bharath
Movie • 1986
Michael
Daivathinte Vikrithikal
Movie • 1992
Alphonso
Muthu
Movie • 1995
Rajasekharan
Thiyagu
Movie • 1990
Thiyagu
Ullam
Movie • 2012
Kaliyugam
Movie • 1988
Maatho Pettukoku
Movie • 1995
Bhavani
Dhaya
Movie • 2002
Vasanthame Varuga
Movie • 1983
Aahaa..!
Movie • 1997
Raghu
Kolangal
Movie • 1995
Peter Scott
Movie • 1995
Leo Fernandez
Aahaa..!
Movie • 1998
Raghuram
Kavithai Paada Neramillai
Movie • 1987
Kavalan Avan Kovalan
Movie • 1987
Aatadista
Movie • 2008
Raghunath
Asadhyulu
Movie • 1992
Bobby
Movie • 2002
KR
Mandhira Punnagai
Movie • 1986
Dhairiyaraj
laati
Movie • 1992
Avinash
Circle Inspector
Movie • 1996
I Love You Da
Movie • 2002
Rajkishore
Kuttravaali
Movie • 1989
Raaja