Rajasekhar (actor)

Rajasekhar (born Rajasekhar Varadharajan) is an Indian film actor known for his works primarily in Telugu cinema, and a few Tamil films. In a career spanning more than thirty years, he has acted in over eighty films in a variety of roles. He starred in blockbuster films like Talambralu, Sruthilayalu, Aahuti, Ankusam, Magaadu, Allari Priyudu, Anna, Omkaram, Suryudu, Sivayya, Manasunna Maaraju, Maa Annayya, Simharasi, Evadaithe Nakenti and Gorintaku. Rajasekhar won two Filmfare Awards Best actor - Telugu for the films Magaadu and Anna.

The Nature Waldorf School is owned by Rajasekhar and his wife, Jeevitha. The school is affiliated to Dr. Rajasekhar Charitable Trust and started its operations in July 2010. The mission of the school is to impart non-commercialised education to students.

Early life
Dr. Rajasekhar was born on February 4 1966 in Lakshmipuram, Theni district of Tamil Nadu to D. C Varadharajan, a retired police officer and Andalu. His brother Selva has also appeared in Tamil film as a lead actor. Before joining films, he studied M.B.B.S. and practiced in Chennai.

Rajasekhar is a practicing Saiva Hindu, after undergoing a transformative personal experience during his formative years.

Personal life
He married erstwhile actress Jeevitha and has two daughters. Their elder daughter Shivani is set to debut in films with the upcoming movie Vanda Ki Vanda while their younger daughter Shivatmika debuted with Dorasaani.

Recently, Jeevitha was named as one of the nine members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), with Pahlaj Nihalani as chairman.

Career
Rajashekhar made his Telugu film debut in 1985 with Vande Mataram. Since then, he has acted in variety of films such as Pratighatana, Repati Pourulu, Station Master, Sruthilayalu, Kashmora, Aradhana, Talambralu, Aruna Kiranam, Mamatala Kovela and Akka Mogudu.

Movies from which he rose to fame and created an image of an Angry Young Man of Tollywood are Ahuti, Aartanaadam Nyayam Kosam, Ankusam, Magadu, Rowdyism Nasinchali, Morotodu Na Mogudu, Anna, Papa Kosam, Balarama Krishnulu, Agraham, Sivayya, and Evadaithe Nakenti.

He has acted in more than 75 movies though he is mocked for his diction. His voice for most of his Telugu movies was dubbed by Telugu actor Saikumar till 1996 and then was taken over by Srinivasa Moorthy who started dubbing for him in 1997, when he won his first Nandi award for the movie Sivayya. Except for the 2003 film Villain, where Sai's younger brother P. Ravi Shankar dubbed for both Rajasekhar and Vijayan, respectively.

Later, he also gained fame for his family drama films such as Maa Aayana Bangaram, Suryudu, Simharasi, Maa Annayya, Deergha Sumangali Bhava, Manasunna Maaraju and Gorintaku (2008 film). He was also applauded for his performance in the romance film Allari Priyudu.

He is considered a versatile actor. His performance in Omkaram is a classic example of that, which was directed by Kannada director Upendra. His electrifying performance in the movie Sheshu was applauded critically. His biggest hit of the career came in the year 2007 with Avadaithe Nakenti and his last genuine hit was Gorintaku in the year 2008. Since then, he has had no hits. His last film was a hit; PSV Garuda Vega in 2017.

His movie Idthu Thaanda Police was a huge hit in Tamil. He has since been offered more movies in Tamil, he is noted in Tamil with films such as Meesaikaran, Mannikka Vendugiren, Aambala, Diyala, Akka etc. As an actor, he has done movies related to all genres.

Filmography

 * Pudhumai Penn (1984)
 * Puthiya Theerppu (1985)
 * Pratighatana (1985)
 * Vande Mataram (1985)
 * Ee Prashnaku Baduledi (1986)
 * Dora Bidda (1986)
 * Challani Ramaiah Chakkani Sitamma (1986)
 * Talambralu (1986)
 * Repati Pourulu (1986)
 * Aruna Kiranam (1986)
 * Kashmora (1986)
 * Mister Bharat (1986)
 * America Abbayi (1987)
 * Prajaswamyam (1987)
 * Aahuti (1987)
 * Yuga Kartalu (1987)
 * Idaa Prapancham (1987)
 * Shrutilayalu (1987)
 * Aradhana (1987)
 * Nyayam Kosam (1988)
 * Nava Bharatam (1988)
 * Annapurnamma Gaari Alludu (1988)
 * Neeku Naaku Pellanta (1988)
 * Mr. Hero (1988)
 * Indra Dhanassu (1988)
 * Station Master (1988)
 * Bava Marudula Saval (1988)
 * Aarta Nadam (1989)
 * Mamatala Kovela (1989)
 * Ankusham (1989)
 * Prajaa Teerpu (1989)
 * Chennapatnam Chinnollu (1989)
 * Yamapasham (1989)
 * Dharma Yuddham (1989)
 * Manchivaaru Maavaaru (1989)
 * Vinta Dongalu (1989)
 * Rowdyism Nashinchali (1990)
 * Shilashasanam (1990)
 * Papa Kosam (1990)
 * Magaadu (1990)
 * Moratodu Naa Mogudu (1992)
 * Akka Mogudu(film) (1992)
 * Ahankari (1992)
 * Balarama Krishnulu (1992)
 * Aagraham (1993)
 * Amma Koduku (1993)
 * Allari Priyudu (1993)
 * Gangmaster (1994)
 * Anga Rakshakudu (1994)
 * Aavesham (1994)
 * Anna (1994)
 * Raja Simham (1995)
 * Ghatotkachudu (1995)
 * Vetagaadu (1996)
 * RathaYatra (1997)
 * Omkaram (1997)
 * Maa Aayana Bangaram (1997)
 * Suryudu (1998)
 * Deergha Sumangali Bhava (1998)
 * Sivayya (1998)
 * Neti Gandhi (1999)
 * Bobbili Vamsham (1999)
 * Mechanic Mavayya (2000)
 * Maa Annayya (2000)
 * Okkadu Chaalu (2000)
 * Manasunna Maaraju (2000)
 * Ravanna (2000)
 * Simharasi (2001)
 * Seshu (2002)
 * Bharatasimha Reddy (2002)
 * Aayudham (2003)
 * Villain (2003)
 * Aapthudu (2004)
 * Nayakudu (2005)
 * Evadaithe Nakenti (2007)
 * Gorintaku (2008)
 * Satyameva Jayate (2009)
 * Naa Style Veru (2009)
 * Maa Annayya Bangaram (2010)
 * Mahankali (2013)
 * Gaddam Gang (2015)
 * PSV Garuda Vega (2017)
 * Kalki (2019)
 * Arjuna (2020)

Awards

 * Nandi Award for Best Villain - Talambralu (1986)
 * Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Telugu - Magaadu (1990)
 * Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Telugu - Anna (1994)