The cause of death was due to organ failure because of excessive alcohol consumption. He later returned to supporting roles – sometimes as a father or as a mentor in films such as Alai, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Thirumalai and Bala. He later played villains in Baasha as Mark Anthony, Mudhalvan as Aranganathan (corrupt Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), Shiva and Muthu as Ilaimaran. He began his career as a supporting actor in a number of films in Tamil including Mani Rathnam's Anjali as the father of an autistic child. He has received several state and Filmfare Awards for his performances in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. All this dedication won him more fans and helped his popularity soar ever higher.
He also set his own style of mannerisms and brought a distinct dialogue delivery and even changed his gait in many films. His magnetic baritone voice was an advantage and he modulated it to suit his variety of roles. In a career span lasting for more than 26 years, Raghuvaran performed each role with his trademark mannerisms, often stealing the thunder from more established stars and even heroes. Other Bollywood films include Rakshak opposite Sunil Shetty (1996), Lal Baadshah opposite Amitabh Bachchan (1999), Hitler opposite Mithun Chakraborty (1998) and Grahan along with Jackie Shroff, where he replaced a busy Nana Patekar in 2001. Raghuvaran was pitted against Dilip Kumar in his Bollywood debut Izzatdaar and his popularity further soared at the national level with Ram Gopal Varma's gangster flick Shiva, where he played the dreaded gangster Bhawani. His supporting roles in Annanagar Mudhal Theru and Siva were well received too. But his desire to try all types of roles, like supporting actor as well as villain simultaneously halted the progress as hero, even though he played hero roles in Vyooham, Kavacham and Anjali later. The lawyer in Kaliyugam, the police officer in Thaimel Aanai, the rowdy with a golden heart in Kai Naattu, the honest Medical student turned Goonda in Kuttravali and the common man in En Vazhi Thani Vazhi helped Raghuvaran's market value as hero to reach greater heights. The films Michael Raj, Megam Karuththirukku, Kootu Puzhukkal and Kavithai Paada Neramillai helped to stabilize his career. In the mid 1980s, Raghuvaran did many films as hero and most of them did good business as well. The major ones are Mudivalla Arambam and Samsaram Adhu Minsaram. He appeared as hero as well as supporting actor in between releases as well. Bharath, " Poo vizhi vasalile", Mandhira Punnagai and Oorkavalan. The villain act continued in films like Kutravaaligal, Mr. The villain role in Silk Silk Silk was noticed and the film's success opened the gate of offers for him. A few more films followed with him as hero, like Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu and Nee Thodumbothu released, but did not become successes. The offbeat film named Ezhavathu Manithan (Seventh Man), directed by Hariharan won many awards, but not many offers for him. Government Film and Television Training Institute in Chennai, Raghuvaran approached many Kollywood studios aiming for performance oriented roles and finally got selected as hero. Career įollowing his beginnings on the stage, and a diploma in acting from M.G.R.
The couple later separated and divorced in 2004. He married Rohini in 1996 and their son Rishi Varan was born in 1998.
He was spotted and cast as the lead actor in Ezhavathu Manithan, which was his biggest role to date.
He began acting in minor roles in Telugu and Kannada films.įrom 1979 to 1983, he was part of an acting drama troupe in Chennai, Chennai Kings, which also included the Tamil actor, Nassar. He landed a minor role in the Kannada film Swapna Thingalgal. He discontinued his Bachelor of Arts in history from Coimbatore (Government Arts College) to pursue a career in acting. He also learned piano from Trinity College London. He had his primary education from Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore. When his father moved his hotel business from Mathur to Coimbatore, the family shifted to Coimbatore. Radhakrishnan Nair and son of Chunkamannathu N. He was born as the eldest among four children in 1958 at Kollengode in Palakkad district in Kerala.