V.S. Raghavan
Encyclopedia
V.S. Raghavan is a Tamil actor, who acts in both Tamil films as well as television, who started his career as a dramatist and stage actor and went on act as a character actor
in films, starting with Vairamali (1954) and over 1000 films in all, he has also acted in numerous television series.
village, near Kanchipuram
,where he spent early part of his childhood, later for three years he lived in Mylapore
neighborhood of Chennai, and studied at the P. S. Senior Secondary School. Subsequently he studied at St. Columba's Hr. Sec School, Chengalpet, followed by the final two years of his schooling in Madras Christian College
, Tambaram
, Chennai. However as he finished his school the death of his father prompted his mother to shift from native village, to move to Vellala Street in Purasaiwalkam, Chennai where his elder sister lived.
Veteran director K. Balachander
who has won several accolades for memorable films was part of his troupe where he acted and wrote scripts.
The INA closed down a decade later and Raghavan entered the cinema world and acted in supporting roles. He has acted in around 1000 films and has also featured in many M.G.R movies. He is also very well known for his role in the T.V serial "Anni" created by K.Balachander.
He currently acts in tele-serials.
Character actor
A character actor is one who predominantly plays unusual or eccentric characters. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a character actor as "an actor who specializes in character parts", defining character part in turn as "an acting role displaying pronounced or unusual characteristics or...
in films, starting with Vairamali (1954) and over 1000 films in all, he has also acted in numerous television series.
Early life and education
Born in VembakkamVembakkam
Vembakkam is a village situated in the Thiruvannamalai district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located about 20 kilometres from the town of Kanchipuram.It contains a BDO office for many villages around it...
village, near Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
,where he spent early part of his childhood, later for three years he lived in Mylapore
Mylapore
Mylapore is a cultural hub and neighborhood in the southern part of the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. Earlier, Mylapore used to be called Vedapuri....
neighborhood of Chennai, and studied at the P. S. Senior Secondary School. Subsequently he studied at St. Columba's Hr. Sec School, Chengalpet, followed by the final two years of his schooling in Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
, Tambaram
Tambaram
Tambaram is a suburb of Chennai situated 27 km south of the city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is an urban node. Tambaram is a hub to all major destinations in south Tamil Nadu as it lies on the busy Chennai–Trichy national highway. The highway and the railway line from Chennai Egmore to...
, Chennai. However as he finished his school the death of his father prompted his mother to shift from native village, to move to Vellala Street in Purasaiwalkam, Chennai where his elder sister lived.
Career
V.S. Raghavan started his career in 1942, as a sub-editor for Malathi magazine run by humourist Thumilan (N. Ramaswamy), and after it closed he joined a printing press. At the press a group of fellow employees used to do amateur stage plays, which led to him acting some plays including some Hindi plays. Earlier he has acted in YMIA Fine arts' theatre group's play Vairamalai, written by Thottakara Viswanathan, staged at the YMCA, and when the production adapted the stage play into a film, he essayed the same role in it, thus made his film debut in 1954. In the same year, he made his debut as a dramatist and started the Indian National Artists (INA) with four other friends with members like Malli, Vadiraj, Nataraj and K. Balachander. The INA staged plays at reputed Sabhas in Singara "Chennai".Veteran director K. Balachander
K. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
who has won several accolades for memorable films was part of his troupe where he acted and wrote scripts.
The INA closed down a decade later and Raghavan entered the cinema world and acted in supporting roles. He has acted in around 1000 films and has also featured in many M.G.R movies. He is also very well known for his role in the T.V serial "Anni" created by K.Balachander.
He currently acts in tele-serials.
Filmography
- Vaira Maalai (1954)
- Nenjil Oar Aalaiyam
- Iru KodugalIru KodugalIru Kodugal is a Tamil language film directed by the veteran director K. Balachander and released in 1969. The film starred lead actors in the Tamil industry: Gemini Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki, Jayanthi, Nagesh, V.S...
(1969) - Uyir (1971)
- Kurathi MaganKurathi MaganKurathi Magan is a Tamil language film starring Gemini Ganesan, K.R. Vijaya, V.S. Raghavan, Suruli Rajan and Kamal Haasan in a brief role. Muthuraman plays a cameo....
(1972) - Urimaikkural (1974)
- Ellorum NallavareEllorum NallavareEllorum nallavare is a Tamil film acted by Muthuraman and directed by Balan. This story is an adaptation of the Kannada film Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu. V...
(1975) - KalyanaramanKalyanaraman (film)Kalyanaraman is a Tamil language film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role of the protagonist.-Cast:* Kamal Hassan - Kalyanaraman and his brother* Manorama* Pushpalata* V.S. Raghavan* Ramakrishna* Senthamarai* Sridevi* Thengai Srinivasan...
(1979) - Thambikku Endha Ooru
- Krodham (1982)
- Rusi (1984)
- Sumai Thaangi
- Hey RamHey RamHey Ram is a controversial Indian film released both in Tamil and Hindi in 2000 and written, directed, produced by and starring Kamal Haasan...
(2000) - Poovellam Un VasamPoovellam Un VasamPoovellam Un Vasam is a 2001 Tamil film directed by Ezhil and produced by Venu Ravichandran, starring Ajith Kumar and Jyothika in leading roles. Nagesh, Sivakumar, Sayaji Shinde, Vivek also appear in supporting roles while Yukta Mookhey appeared in a solo item number...
(2001) - Imsai Arasan 23m PulikesiImsai Arasan 23m PulikesiImsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi is a 2006 Tamil historical comedy film directed by Chimbudeven. The film stars Vadivelu in his first lead role alongside Monica, Tejashree, Manorama, Nassar and Nagesh. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Sabesh-Murali. The film was produced and distributed...
(2006) (cameo) - Arai Enn 305-il Kadavul (2008) (cameo)
- Irumbu Kottai Murattu SingamIrumbu Kottai Murattu SingamIrumbukkottai Murattu Singam is a 2010 Indian Tamil western film directed by Chimbu Deven, starring choreographer-turned-actor Lawrence Raghavendra, Sandhya, Lakshmi Rai and Padmapriya in lead roles. The film is a "Western adventure comedy film" based on Cowboy stories, which is set in the 17th...
(2010) (cameo)