Ravichandran (Tamil actor)

Ravichandran (died 25 July 2011) was a Malaysian Indian actor who played lead hero roles in Tamil films from 1964–1979. He has also acted in supporting roles from 1986, and directed a few films. He was given the title of Kalaingnar Thilagham in many of the on-screen credits of films starring him in the lead role. He was, also, called "Puratchi Kalaignar" (Refer: Anandha Bairavi Tamil Movie Title Scene). Before entering cine-field, during his studies in Trichy, he has acted in two dramas, namely, "AanaiyidungalAnna" and "Udhaya Suriyan". After entering cine-field, he has acted in two dramas, namely, "Mapplley Yen Magalaik Kadhali" and "That Man from Poonthamallee". In the drama "That man from Poonthamallee", he performed in double role and Thirumuruga Kirupanandha Variyar, who presided over the drama in Vellore, has appreciated and awarded a title "Nadaga Sigamani". He has, also, acted in a TV Serial namely., GEE boom ba in 1986. During his tenure of acting, his fans, journalists, movie-directors/producers have given many titles, viz., Kalai Ulaga Ilavarasar, Kalai Nilavu, Romantic Hero, Velli Vizha kathanayagan, Vannap Pada Nayagan, Evergreen Hero, Chennai MGR, Kalaignar Thilagam, Style King, Stunt Man an, Bhagdath Perazhagan, Kalai chelvan, Pudhumai Thilagam etc. He was much affectionate with his fans.

Ravichandran was born B.S. Raman in Kuala Lumpur, capital of the Federated Malay States. He moved to Tiruchirappalli, India in 1951, and studied at the St. Joseph's College. He was married twice; his first marriage was to Vimala, with whom he has a daughter, Lavanya, and two sons, Balaji and Hamsavardhan. There after, he married Malayalam actress Sheela, and had a son George. His sons Hamsavardhan and George also took up acting as a career, with Hamsavardhan starring in the film Manthiran, directed by Ravichandran himself. Lavanya is married and has 2 daughters.