Rangayana Raghu

Kotturu Chikkarangappa Raghunath (born 17 April 1965), known by his screen name Rangayana Raghu, is an Indian film and stage actor, known for his work in Kannada cinema. Portraying mostly comic and negative-shaded characters, he has appeared in over 250 films. Prior to acting in films, he worked as a stage actor with B. V. Karanth's theatre group Rangayana, from 1988 to 1999. He made his debut in films in 1995 with Suggi, which got shelved.

Raghu got his major break in films after appearing 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 came in Cyanide (2006), Raam (2009), Olave Mandara (2011) and Jayammana Maga (2013). In 2014, his wife Mangala and he started Sanchari Theatre, a theatre training institute for children.

Early life and career
Raghu was born as Kotturu Chikkarangappa Raghunath on 17 April 1965, as the ninth child to Chikkarangaiah and Veeramma, in a village Kotturu, in Pavagada taluk of the Tumkur district of the erstwhile Mysore State (now Karnataka).

Raghu began his acting career as a theatre artist when he joined the Rangayana theatre group in Mysore in 1988, where he received ₹800 as the monthly salary. He made his film debut in the 1995 Kannada-language film Suggi directed by Hamsalekha that eventually got shelved. He then appeared in the 2002 film Dhumm followed by minor roles in Megha Banthu Megha and Aryabhata. His major breakthrough was Yogaraj Bhat's debut directorial venture Mani. He received critical acclaim for his performances in films like Ranga SSLC, Duniya, Alemari,Modalasala, and Director's Special.

Raghu made his debut in Tulu films in 2018 with My Name is Annappa.

Filmography

 * Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga (1998)
 * Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu (2001)
 * Dhumm (2002)
 * Sri Ram (2003)
 * Mani (2003)
 * Hrudayavantha (2003)
 * Ranga SSLC (2004)
 * Dharma (2004)
 * Sahukara (2004)
 * Bhagawan (2004)...Sharath Simha
 * Sarvabhouma (2004)
 * Omkara (2004)
 * Rakshasa (2005)
 * Valmiki (2005)
 * Gunna (2005)...Sharma
 * Swamy (2005)
 * Boyfriend (2005)
 * Jootaata! (2005)
 * Cyanide (2006)...Ranganath
 * Thangigagi (2006)
 * Poojari (2006)
 * Tenali Ram (2006)
 * Shishya (2006)
 * Honeymoon Express (2006)...Ranganath
 * Suntaragaali (2006)
 * Tirupathi (2006)
 * 7 O Clock (2006)
 * Odahuttidavalu (2006)
 * Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige (2007)
 * Gunavantha (2007)
 * Parodi (2007)
 * Snehana Preetina (2007)
 * Sixer (2007)
 * Rajeeva Alla Godse (2007)
 * Geleya (2007)
 * Duniya (2007)
 * Hani Hani (2008)
 * Beladingalaagi Baa (2008)
 * Gaalipata (2008)
 * Payana (2008)
 * Inthi Ninna Preethiya (2008)
 * Taj Mahal (2008)
 * Vasanthakala (2008)
 * Avva (2008)
 * Dheemaku (2008)
 * Mast Maja Maadi (2008)
 * Kodagana Koli Nungitha (2008)
 * Yuga Yugagale Saagali (2008)
 * Minchina Ota (2008)
 * Sangama (2008)
 * Athmeeya (2008)
 * Bidda (2008)
 * Rajakumari (2009)
 * Prem Kahani (2009)
 * Maleyali Jotheyali (2009)
 * Raam (2009)
 * Olave Jeevana Lekkachaara (2009)...Ratna
 * Junglee (2009)
 * Mr Painter (2009)
 * Nanda (2009)
 * Kallara Santhe (2009)
 * Rajani (2009)
 * Kannadada Kiran Bedi (2009)
 * Gubbachchigalu (2009)
 * Muniya (2009)
 * Jokali (2010)
 * Appu And Pappu (2010)
 * Ullasa Utsaha (2010)
 * Mylari (2010)
 * Shankar IPS (2010)
 * Gubbi (2010)
 * Hendtheer Darbar (2010)
 * Sanchari (2010)
 * Huli (2010)
 * Rame Gowda Vs Krishna Reddy (2010)
 * Kari Chirathe (2010)
 * Gang Leader (2010)
 * Antharathma (2010)
 * Dildar (2010)
 * Hoo (2010)
 * Tsunami (2010)
 * Modalasala (2010)
 * Jackie (2010)
 * Kiccha Huccha (2010)
 * Eradane Maduve (2010)
 * Gandedhe (2010)
 * Aithalakkadi (2010)
 * Huduga Hudugi (2010)
 * Swayamvara (2010)
 * Chiru (2010)
 * Olave Mandara (2011)
 * Happy Husband (2011)
 * Rama Rama Raghu Rama (2011)
 * Kanchana (2011)
 * Idonthara Love Story (2011)
 * Kaalgejje (2011)
 * Rajani (2011)
 * Ee Sanje (2011)
 * Kool...Sakkath Hot Maga (2011)
 * Veerabahu (2011)
 * Veera (2011)
 * Jackie (2011)
 * Sarathi (2011)
 * Kannadi (2011)
 * Lakshmi (2011)
 * Alemari (2011)
 * Devadas (2011)
 * Tyagu (2011)
 * Swayam Krushi (2011)
 * Auto Manja (2011)
 * Jony Mera Naam Preethi Mera Cam (2011)
 * Swamiji (2011)
 * Sanju Weds Geetha (2011)
 * O Manase (2011)
 * Gun (2011)
 * Hudugaru (2011)
 * Manase Mandaram (2011)
 * Thathaasthu (2011)
 * Belgaum (2011)
 * Tirugubothu (2011)
 * Prince (2011)
 * Boss (2011)
 * Tumba Ishta Swalpa Kashta (2011)
 * 90 (2011)
 * Paramathma (2011)
 * Jarasandha (2011)
 * Shyloo (2011)
 * Ko Ko (2012)
 * Tsunami (2012)
 * Chingari (2012)
 * Alemari (2012)
 * Anna Bond (2012)
 * Breaking News (2012)
 * Villain (2012)
 * Jaanu (2012)
 * Dandupalya (2012)
 * Shiva (2012)
 * Romeo (2012)
 * Rambo (2012)...Mangalore Annappa
 * Kalaya Tasmai Namaha (2012)
 * Mr. 420 (2012)
 * Super Shastri (2012)
 * Lakshmi (2013)
 * Topiwala (2013)
 * CID Eesha (2013)...Narasimha
 * Aane Pataaki (2013)
 * Director's Special (2013)
 * Kaddipudi (2013)...Jinke
 * Mahanadi (2013)
 * Mangana Kaili Manikya (2013)
 * Case No. 18/9 (2013)
 * Jayammana Maga (2013)
 * Shatru (2013)
 * Brahma (2014)
 * Crazy Star (2014)
 * Dil Rangeela (2014)
 * Manada Mareyalli (2014)
 * Agraja (2014)
 * Gajakesari (2014)
 * Preethi Geethi Ityaadi (2014)
 * 24 Carat (2014)
 * Power *** (2014)
 * Jackson (2015)
 * Krishna-Leela (2015)
 * Nagaari (2015)
 * Rana Vikrama (2015)
 * Daksha (2015)
 * Bullet Basya (2015)
 * Mr Mommaga (2015)
 * Ganga (2015)
 * Ram-Leela (2015)
 * Sharpshooter (2015)
 * Parapancha (2016)
 * U The End A (2016)
 * Kala Bhairava (2016)
 * The Great Story of Sodabuddi (2016)
 * Chakravyuha (2016)...ACP Raghu
 * Akira (2016)...Gun Guddappa
 * Ishtakamya (2016)
 * Style King (2016)...Naga
 * Mr. Mommaga (2016)
 * Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara (2016)
 * Crazy Boy (2016)
 * Lifeu Super (2016)
 * Golisoda (2016)
 * Doddmane Hudga (2016)...Nanjunda
 * Dana Kayonu (2016)
 * Idolle Ramayana (2016)...Inspector Ramdas
 * Nagarahavu (2016)
 * Madha Mathu Manasi (2016)
 * Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi (2016)
 * Sundaranga Jaana (2016)...Anjaneya
 * Lee (2017)
 * Mumbai (2017)
 * Melkote Manja (2017)
 * Smile Please (2017)
 * Raajakumara (2017)...Venky
 * Jani (2017)
 * Garuda (2018)
 * Mugulu Nage (2017)
 * Kanaka (2018)
 * O Premave (2018)
 * Gultoo (2018)
 * Johnny Johnny Yes Papa (2018)
 * Saaguva Daariyalli (2018)
 * Hyper (2018)
 * Kannadakkagi Ondannu Otthi (2018)
 * Aa Karaala Ratri (2018)
 * Atharva (2018)
 * Loud Speaker (2018)
 * Ayogya (2018)
 * My Name is Annappa (2018)
 * Aadi Purana (2018)
 * Jagath Kiladi (2018)
 * Orange (2018)...Giddappa
 * Girgitle (2019)
 * Missing Boy (2019)
 * Panchatantra (2019)
 * Yaana (2019)
 * Dasharatha (2019)
 * Ayushman Bhava (2019)
 * Bharaate (2019)
 * Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakasha (2019)
 * Garuda (2020)
 * Drona (2020)
 * French Biriyani (2020)
 * Gaalipata 2(2020)
 * Tribble riding(2021)

Awards and nominations

 * Karnataka State Film Awards
 * 2003–04: Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor: Mani
 * 2006–07: Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor: Duniya


 * Filmfare Awards South
 * 2006: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Cyanide
 * 2009: nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Raam
 * 2010: nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Modalasala
 * 2011: nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Olave Mandara
 * 2013: nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Jayammana Maga


 * South Indian International Movie Awards
 * 2011: Best Actor in a Negative Role (Kannada): Sanju Weds Geetha
 * 2012: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Kannada): Romeo
 * 2012: nominated, Best Comedian (Kannada): Shiva
 * 2013: nominated, Best Comedian (Kannada): Jayammana Maga
 * 2015: nominated, Best Comedian (Kannada): Power***
 * 2016: nominated, Best Comedian (Kannada): Rana Vikrama


 * Udaya Film Awards
 * 2010: Best Supporting Actor
 * 2012: Best Comedian: Mr. 420


 * Suvarna Film Awards
 * 2007: Best Supporting Actor: Duniya
 * 2009: Best Supporting Actor: Modalasala


 * IIFA Utsavam
 * 2015: nominated, Best Performance In A Supporting Role – Male (Kannada): Krishna Leela
 * 2015: nominated, Best Performance In A Comic Role (Kannada): Rana Vikrama


 * Innovative Film Awards
 * 2010: Best Supporting Actor