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.