Ranganath (actor)

Ranganath (రంగనాథ్); (born Tirumala Sundara Sri Ranganath) (17 July 1949 – 19 December 2015) was an Indian film actor known for his works primarily in Telugu cinema, Telugu Theater, television, and a few Tamil films. In a film career spanning more than forty years, Ranganath starred in more than three hundred feature films in a variety of roles. He made his debut with the 1969 Telugu film Budhimantudu.

Subsequently, he starred in films such as Chandana, Zamindarugari Ammayi, Devathalara Deevinchandi, Panthulamma, Intinti Ramayanam, America Ammayi, Andame Anandam while establishing himself as one of the finest actors in Telugu cinema. Ranganath received state Nandi Awards for his works. Ranganath died by suicide at his residence in Hyderabad on 19 December 2015.

Personal life
Ranganath was born Tirumala Sundara Sri Ranganath in Madras on 17 July 1949 into the family of T. R. Sundara Raju and T. R. Janaki Devi. He then graduated with a B.A. degree from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Ranganath then worked as ticket collector for the Indian Railways before becoming an actor. His wife Tirumala Chaithanya died in 2009. They had two daughters, and a son, Tirumala Nagendra Kumar.

Career
He got his first break in 1969 in the film ‘Buddimantudu’. It was in 1974 that he was chosen to play the lead role in the film Chandana. The actor endeared himself to the audience through his sensitive portrayal of various roles. Some of his most popular films include Intinti Ramayanam, America Ammayi, Love In Singapore, Zamindaru Gari Ammayyi, Panthulamma, Andame Anandam, Mavuri Devatha, Kondaveeti Donga, Thayaramma Bangarayya, Rama Chiluka, Khaidi, Devathalara Deevinchandi and Sriramadasu.

Apart from acting in several serials, he has also directed a feature film titled Moguds Pellams (2005), starring Sivaji Raja and Rathi.

Death
Ranganath was found hanging in his residence at Hyderabad on 19 December 2015 at about 5 pm by his housemade. Family members rushed him to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. Police investigated the situation, and upon autopsy and further evidence, confirmed suicide.

Selected filmography

 * Buddhimantudu (1969)
 * Chandana (1974)
 * Palleseema (1974)
 * Chaduvu Samskaram (1974)
 * Zamindarugari Ammayi (1975)
 * Ramaya tandri (1975)
 * America Ammayi (1976)
 * Secretary (1976)
 * Andame Anandam (1977)
 * Devathalara Deevinchandi (1977)
 * Panthulamma (1977)
 * Ramachilaka (1978)
 * Chiranjeevi Rambabu (1978)
 * Gammattu Gudhachari (1978)
 * Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984; Tamil)
 * Tayaramma Bangarayya (1979)
 * Intinti Ramayanam (1979)
 * Maavuri Devatha (1979)
 * Priya Bhandavi (1979)
 * Andamaina Anubhavam (1979)
 * Madana manjari (1980)
 * Pasidi moggalu (1980)
 * Love in Singapore (1980)
 * Mama allulla sawal (1980)
 * Erra mallelu (1981)
 * Gruha Pravesam (1982)
 * Ee Charitra ye sira tho(1982)
 * Khaidi (1983)
 * Aalyashikaram (1983)
 * Adavallu Aligithe (1983)
 * Ee Chaduvulu Makkodu (1984)
 * [[Kai Kodukkum Kai] Tamil] (1984)
 * Merupu Daadi (1984)
 * Vijetha (1985)
 * Palnati Simham (1985)
 * Adavi Donga (1985)
 * Chiranjeevi (1985)
 * Edadugula Bandham (1985)
 * Intiko Rudramma (1985)
 * Raja Rishi (1985; Tamil)
 * Sri Datta Darshanam (1985)
 * Veta (1986)
 * Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986)
 * Donga Mogudu (1987)
 * Gandhinagar Rendava Veedhi (1987)
 * Bhale Mogudu (1987)
 * Rikshawala (1987)
 * Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987) ... Rajaraja Chola
 * Tandri kodukula challenge (1987)
 * Antima Theerpu (1988)
 * Chikkadu Dorakadu (1988)
 * Trinetrudu (1988)
 * Rudranetra (1989)
 * Kokila (1989)
 * Muthyamantha Muddu (1989)
 * Kodama Simham (1990)
 * Kondaveeti Donga (1990)
 * Brundavanam (1992)
 * Mugguru Monagallu (1994)
 * Ungal Anbu Thangachi (1994; Tamil)
 * Premante Idera (1998) ... Venkatramayya
 * Premaku Velayera (1999) ... Rama
 * Aasala Sandadi (1999)
 * Ravoyi Chandamama (1999)
 * Vijayaramaraju (2000)
 * Kalisundam Raa (2000) ... Ram Mohan
 * Ammaye Navvithe (2001) ... Seshadri Naidu
 * Eduruleni Manishi (2001)
 * Naalo Unna Prema (2001)
 * Apparao Ki Oka Nela Tappindi (2001)
 * Manmadhudu (2002)
 * Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2003)
 * Nijam (2003) ... Venkateswarlu
 * 3 Deewarein (2003) ... Chief Justice S.S. Murthy
 * Villain (2003)
 * Sakhiya (2004)
 * Adavi Ramudu (2004)
 * Andhrawala (2004)
 * Laxmi (2004)
 * Kunkuma (2005)
 * Aanai (2005; Tamil)
 * Moguds Pellams (2005) - Director
 * Annavaram (2006)
 * Samanyudu (2006) ... Chandra Shekhar
 * Sri Ramadasu (2006)
 * Evadaithe Nakenti (2007)
 * Bhadradri (2008)
 * Sundarakanda (2008)
 * Victory (2008)
 * Mitrudu (2009)
 * Aha Naa Pellanta (2011)
 * Daggaraga Dooramga (2011)
 * Solo (2011)
 * Dammu (2012)
 * Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Charitra (2014)
 * I am in Love (2014)
 * Cut Cheste (2014)
 * Gopala Gopala (2015)

Television

 * Shanti Nivasam (ETV)
 * Iddaru Ammayilu as Venkata Raju (Zee Telugu)
 * Atto Attama Kooturo (Gemini TV)
 * Mogalirekulu (Gemini TV)