Acting
Rangayana Raghu
Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil cinema · 166 credits
Born
16 April 1965 (age 61)
Birthplace
Pavagada, Karnataka, India
Also known as Kotturu Chikkarangappa Raghunath · Kotturu Raghu · Rangyana Raghu · Rangayana Ragu · Rangyana Ragu
Chikkanayakanahalli Chikkarangaiah Raghunath (born 17 April 1965), better known by his stage name **Rangayana Raghu**, is an acclaimed Indian actor who primarily works in the Kannada film industry. Renowned for his immense versatility, he has appeared in over 400 films, effortlessly transitioning between intense villains, memorable comic reliefs, and deep emotional character roles. Born in Koththuru, Pavagada taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka, Raghu grew up with an early exposure to folk arts through his father, a *Bayalaata* artist. He pursued his education at National College in Bangalore, where his passion for acting blossomed. In 1988, he joined the prestigious theater institute **Rangayana** in Mysore, training under the legendary B.V. Karanth and working as a stage actor until 1999. After spending over a decade mastering his craft on stage, Raghu transitioned into cinema. He gained mainstream recognition after playing a prominent antagonist role in the 2002 film *Dhumm*. However, it was his brilliant comedic and character performance in Yogaraj Bhat's landmark 2007 film ***Duniya*** that marked his major career breakthrough, earning him widespread acclaim and a Karnataka State Film Award. Over a career spanning decades, Raghu has become an indispensable pillar of Sandalwood, known for unforgettable performances in films like *Cyanide* (2006), *Gaalipata* (2008), *Raam* (2009), *Jackie* (2010), *Olave Mandara* (2011), *Jayammana Maga* (2013), *Badava Rascal* (2021), and *Shakhahaari* (2024). His exceptional contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Filmfare Awards South, SIIMA Awards, and two Karnataka State Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor. Alongside his cinematic career, he and his wife Mangala founded *Sanchari*, a theater training group dedicated to nurturing young talent.
Known for
Filmography
Uttarakanda
as Bande Kaaka
JC The University
as Krishnamurthy
Sarala Subbarao
as Narasimha Shastry
Premada Oorali
as Naganna
Agnyathavasi
as Inspector Govindu
Case of Kondana
as A.S.I Thyagraj
Third Krishnappa
as Veeranna
Kotee
as Ramanna
Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi
as Bhumdevru
Bagheera
as Narayana
Rangasamudra
as Channappa
Baanadariyalli
as Leela's Father
Aachar & Co
as Narrator
Bytwo Love
as Auto driver
Madhagaja
as Basavanna
Sakath
as Chalapathi
French Biriyani
as Mahadev
Panchatantra
as Rangappa
Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakaasha
as Single Hand Shiva
Ayushman Bhava
as Astrologist Raghu
Gultoo
as Chief Minister Anantharamaiah
Raajakumara
as Venky
Chakravyuha
as ACP Raghu
Idolle Ramayana
as Police Inspector
Sundaranga Jaana
as Anjaneya Prasad
Krishna Leela
as a police inspector
Gajakessari
as Forrest Officer Agni
Power
as P V Bhushan
Jayammana Maga
as Bhagavanta
Shiva
as Panduranga Shetty
Mr 420
as Ranganath
Anna Bond
as Chapathi Babu
Jaanu
as Siddharth's Guardian/Partner
Rambo
as Mangalore Annappa
Shyloo
as Constable Ramaiah
Hudugaru
as Kodanda
Jarasandha
as Bull Naidu
Boss
as Nandu
Prince
as Raghunath
Modalasala
as Deepu's Father
Jackie
as Meese Bheemanna
Eradane Maduve
as Lawyer
Junglee
as Gudde
Jeeva
as Citizen
Raam
as Mc Krishna Murthy
Maleyali Jotheyali
as Rangappa
Gaalipata
as Byregowda
Sangama
as Gajaraj
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
as Kurupayya
Milana
as Kubera
Duniya
as Satyanna
Snehana Preethina
as Raghunath Rao
Cyanide
as Puttenahalli Ranganath
Thangigagi
as Shadeshwara
Rakshasa
as SI Cheluvaraju
Monalisa
as ACP Raveendra
Ranga SSLC
as Kunta Naga
Bhagavan
as Sharath Simha
Mani
as Chami
