Rangayana Raghu
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.
Photos
Films (170)
Anna From Mexico
2026
Devi Mahathme
2026
Brindavihari
2026
Premada Oorali
2026 · Naganna
Sarala Subbarao
2026 · Narasimha Shastry
JC The University
2026 · Krishnamurthy
Rehna Nahi Bin Tere
2025
Flirt
2025
Full Meals
2025
Son of Muthanna
2025
Agnyathavasi
2025 · Inspector Govindu
Vidyapati
2025
Manada Kadalu
2025
Forest
2025
Royal
2025
Bagheera
2024 · Narayana
Bhairadevi
2024
Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi
2024 · Bhumdevru
Bheema
2024
Kotee
2024 · Ramanna
Third Krishnappa
2024 · Veeranna
The Judgement
2024
Night Curfew
2024 · psi
Powder
2024
Sanju Weds Geetha 2
2024
Karataka Damanaka
2024
Shakhahaari
2024
Case of Kondana
2024 · A.S.I Thyagraj
Rangasamudra
2024 · Channappa
Tagaru Palya
2023
Baanadariyalli
2023 · Leela's Father
Aachar & Co
2023 · Narrator
Love Birds
2023
Padavi Poorva
2022
Dil Pasand
2022
Champion
2022
Lucky Man
2022
Kasthuri Mahal
2022
James
2022
Bytwo Love
2022 · Auto driver
Family Pack
2022
Badava Rascal
2021
Madhagaja
2021 · Basavanna
Sakath
2021 · Chalapathi
Salaga
2021
Puksatte Lifu Pursotte Illa
2021
Yuvarathnaa (Kannada)
2021
French Biriyani
2020 · Mahadev
Drona
2020
Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakaasha
2019 · Single Hand Shiva
Ayushman Bhava
2019 · Astrologist Raghu
Adhyaksha In America
2019
Panchatantra
2019 · Rangappa
Girgitle
2019
Orange
2018
Loudspeaker
2018
Aa Karaala Ratri
2018
Atharva
2018
Kannadakkaagi Ondannu Otti
2018
Hyper
2018
Gultoo
2018 · Chief Minister Anantharamaiah
Mugulu Nage
2017
Maasthi Gudi
2017
Raaga
2017
Raajakumara
2017 · Venky
Mumbai
2017
Lee
2017
Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi
2016
Sundaranga Jaana
2016 · Anjaneya Prasad
Dana Kayonu
2016
Idolle Ramayana
2016 · Police Inspector
Doddmane Hudga
2016
Style King
2016
Ishtakamya
2016
Akira
2016
Chakravyuha
2016 · ACP Raghu
The Great Story of Sodabuddi
2016
Cinema My Darling
2016
Parapancha
2016
Sharp Shooter
2015
Boxer
2015
Ramleela
2015
Bullet Basya
2015
Daksha
2015
Krishna Leela
2015 · a police inspector
Jackson
2015
Power
2014 · P V Bhushan
Gajakessari
2014 · Forrest Officer Agni
Dil Rangeela
2014
Jayammana Maga
2013 · Bhagavanta
Mangana Kaiyalli Manikya
2013
Nam Duniya Nam Style
2013
Kaddi Pudi
2013
Director's Special
2013
CID Eesha
2013
Lakshmi
2013
Mr 420
2012 · Ranganath
Rambo
2012 · Mangalore Annappa
Shiva
2012 · Panduranga Shetty
Romeo
2012
Appu Pappu
2012
Crazy Loka
2012
Jaanu
2012 · Siddharth's Guardian/Partner
Anna Bond
2012 · Chapathi Babu
Shyloo
2011 · Constable Ramaiah
Jarasandha
2011 · Bull Naidu
Kalla Malla Sulla
2011
Kool
2011
Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam
2011 · Maamu
Hudugaru
2011 · Kodanda
Sanju Weds Geetha
2011
Prince
2011 · Raghunath
Olave Mandara
2011
Boss
2011 · Nandu
Mylari
2010
Kiccha Huccha
2010
Jackie
2010 · Meese Bheemanna
Modalasala
2010 · Deepu's Father
Eradane Maduve
2010 · Lawyer
Hendtheer Darbar
2010
Aithalakkadi
2010
Ullasa Uthsaha
2010
Raam
2009 · Mc Krishna Murthy
Maleyali Jotheyali
2009 · Rangappa
Jeeva
2009 · Citizen
Prem Kahani
2009
Junglee
2009 · Gudde
Nanda
2009
Mast Maja Maadi
2008
Sangama
2008 · Gajaraj
Dheemaku
2008
Kodagana Koli Nungitha
2008
Anthu Inthu Preethi Banthu
2008
Minchina Ota
2008
Inthi Ninna Preethiya
2008
Gaalipata
2008 · Byregowda
Milana
2007 · Kubera
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
2007 · Kurupayya
Snehana Preethina
2007 · Raghunath Rao
Parodi
2007
Duniya
2007 · Satyanna
Tenali Rama
2006
Thangigagi
2006 · Shadeshwara
Odahuttidavalu
2006
Chellata
2006
Suntaragaali
2006
Cyanide
2006 · Puttenahalli Ranganath
Swamy
2005
Auto Shankar
2005
Valmiki
2005
Rakshasa
2005 · SI Cheluvaraju
Aadi
2005
Jyeshta
2004
Sahukara
2004
Omkara
2004
Bhagavan
2004 · Sharath Simha
Sarvabhouma
2004
Monalisa
2004 · ACP Raveendra
Ranga SSLC
2004 · Kunta Naga
Dharma
2004
Artha(Purpose)
2003
Mani
2003 · Chami
Hrudayavantha
2003
Sri Ram
2003
Lankesh Pathrike
2003
Dhum
2002
Kotigalu Saar Kotigalu
2001 · Police
Uttarakanda
· Bande Kaaka
Paraak
Tamma Sukhagamana Bayasuva
