Ramesh Aravind (born 10 September 1964), known mononymously as Ramesh, is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter and television presenter. Ramesh has predominantly worked in Kannada and Tamil films along with a few Telugu and Hindi films.

Ramesh Aravind
Ramesh Arvind in 2018
Born (1964-09-10) 10 September 1964 (age 60)
Alma materUniversity Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore
Occupation(s)Actor, director, television presenter, screenwriter
Years active1986–present
WorksFull list
SpouseArchana Ramesh
Children2
Websiteramesharavind.com

He has made his acting career with K. Balachander's Sundara Swapnagalu in 1986.[1] Ramesh has appeared in over 140 films besides directing about 10 films.[2]

He has so far received two Karnataka State Film Awards namely, for America America (1997) and Hoomale (1998) besides winning Best Story award for his writing; two Filmfare Awards South, two Udaya Film Awards and Suvarna Film Awards.

He has largely appeared in romantic drama in Kannada films such as Anuraga Sangama (1995), Karpoorada Gombe (1996), Nammoora Mandara Hoove (1996), Amruthavarshini (1997), America! America!! (1997), O Mallige (1997), Ulta Palta (1997), Mungarina Minchu (1997), Thutta Mutta (1998), Hoomale (1998), Sambhrama (1999) and Chandramukhi Pranasakhi (1999).

Later, Ramesh returned to act performance oriented roles in films such as Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu (2001), Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu (2001), Apthamitra (2004), Varsha (2005), Rama Shama Bhama (2005), Pushpaka Vimana (2017) and Shivaji Surathkal (2020).

Ramesh hosts the television show Weekend with Ramesh,[3] which has aired for five seasons on Zee Kannada.[4] He also hosted Season 3 of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.[5] Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) appointed Aravind as the awareness ambassador for COVID-19.[6] He is the Brand Ambassador for 7 Wonders of Karnataka campaign jointly done by Suvarna News and Tourism Dept of Karnataka.[7][8]

In 2022, he was awarded an honorary doctorate for his contribution to field of cinema by Rani Channamma University.[9][10] Also in 2022, he was awarded the Dr. Shivarama Karanth Award for his services as an actor, director and resource person.[11][12][13]

Career

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Acting

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While studying at engineering college, Ramesh Aravind worked as an emcee at award functions, including an event celebrating the success of the film Sagara Sangamam (1983), where he met his long-term collaborator Kamal Haasan.[14] He then started his television career hosting a show on Kannada television before working on a Kannada-language film titled Mouna Geethe, in which he had a supporting role.[15] Prior to the release of the film, Aravind was approached by director K. Balachander who had been casting the role of Kamal Haasan for a Kannada version of the Tamil film Sollathaan Ninaikkiren (1973).[16] After a brief audition, Balachander selected Aravind after being "impressed with his eyes" and cast him as the playboy character in Sundara Swapnagalu (1986), which released shortly before Mouna Geethe.[17][18]

Balachander then gave Aravind a small role in Punnagai Mannan (1986) as Revathi's ex-lover but his scenes were edited out of the final version.[14] Aravind worked with the same director in the Tamil film Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) but Balachander later recommended to Aravind to opt out of the film and work with K. Bhagyaraj instead to make his debut in a leading role. The proposed film was later shelved and Aravind returned to the cast of Manathil Uruthi Vendum, winning critical acclaim for his performance. Balachander introduced Ramesh Aravind into Telugu films through Rudraveena, having been introduced into three film industries by the same director.[18]

Ramesh made his breakthrough portraying a student union leader in Vasanth's romantic drama film Keladi Kanmani (1990), whose commercial success.[19] He earned critical acclaim in Tamil cinema for his portrayal of a love-ridden musician in Balachander's Duet (1994) and for his performance alongside Kamal Haasan in Balu Mahendra's comedy film Sathi Leelavathi (1995).[18] In his return to Tamil films since the mid-1990s, Ramesh frequently collaborated with Kamal Haasan on projects including the unreleased Kanden Seethaiyai (1996), Panchathantiram (2002) and Mumbai Xpress (2005).[18]

Subsequently, he returned to the Bangalore-based film industry to work in Kannada films. He appeared in several consecutive commercially successful Kannada films including Anuraga Sangama (1995), Karpoorada Gombe (1996), Nammoora Mandara Hoove (1996), Amruthavarshini (1997), America! America!! (1997), O Mallige (1997), Ulta Palta (1997), Mungarina Minchu (1997), Thutta Mutta (1998), Hoomale (1998), Sambhrama (1999) and Chandramukhi Pranasakhi (1999), becoming one of the industry's highest-paid actors.

Ramesh Aravind scripted the film Hoomale in 1998, leading to his career in film directing.[20][21] Hoomale won Aravind the Best Actor Filmfare Award and the Karnataka State Award. His script for Amrithadhare (2005) won him the Raghvendra Chitravani Award for Best Story.[22]

Directing

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Ramesh Aravind's directorial debut was Rama Shama Bhama (2005) with Kamal Haasan.[23] After this, he directed Sathyavan Savithri and Accident.[24][25] In 2009, he directed the comedy film Venkata in Sankata and later Nammanna Don in 2012.[21]

When Kamal Haasan asked Aravind to direct the Tamil-language film Uttama Villain (2015), Aravind accepted the offer.[26] Uttama Villain is the first Aravind-directed film in which he did not portray a leading role; he said he accepted the film due to the "challenging nature of the script" and the opportunity to direct his mentor K. Balachander.[14]

Writer

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His Kannada book "Art of Success"[27] which is a collection of his quotes, became a bestseller. His recent book "Preetiyinda Ramesh" as highly successful with 5 editions in 5 months of release[28][29][30] Aravind has written and narrated the Kannada audiobook "MasadaMaatu with Ramesh", which is available on Storytel.[31]

Ramesh was also a celebrity talk-radio host on Big FM.[32] His more recent notable appearance was in Shivaji Surathkal 2 which was released all over cinema theatres on 14 April 2023.[33]

In 2024, His popular book & the Best Seller of 2022 - 23 "Preethyinda Ramesh" was translated to Tamil language as "Anbudan Ramesh".[34]

Public speaking

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Ramesh Aravind is also known for his work as a motivational speaker.[35] A message in his voice was used as ringtone urging voters to vote in 2023 Assembly elections over Jio, Airtel platforms because of his noncontroversial and neutral image[36] He was chosen as Brand Ambassador for Bengaluru Gold Shopping Festival - Edition 2 in 2023.[37]

Television

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Ramesh Aravind has hosted the following shows:[38] His show Weekend with Ramesh involves him inviting some of the prominent personalities from Karnataka to talk about their personal and professional lives.[39] His show Weekend With Ramesh Season 5 is streaming on Zee Kannada.[40][41] Dr. Ramesh Aravind turns as "Master-Mind" or Maha Guru for the show Mahanati (2024) telecasting every weekend in Zee Kannada channel. His inspirational speeches, and activities & other constant supporting abilities are appreciated by audience.[42]

Filmography

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Awards

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Ramesh Aravind has won awards for his acting, directing and writing.[43][44] He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Rani Channamma University for his contribution to cinema.[45] In the year 2022, he was awarded the Dr. Shivarama Karanth Award for his work as an actor, director and resource person.[46]

Year Award Category Film / Show
1996–97 Karnataka State Film Awards Best Actor America America
1997 Filmfare Awards South Best Actor – Kannada Amrutha Varshini
1997 Udaya Film Awards Best Actor O Mallige
1997 Screen Awards Best Actor – Kannada America America and Amrutha Varshini[47]
1998 Filmfare Award South Best Actor – Kannada Hoomale
1998 Filmfans Association Award Best Actor Hoomale
1998–99 Karnataka State Film Awards Best Actor Hoomale
1999 Filmfans Association Award Best Actor Sambhrama
1999 Cinema Express Award Best Actor Chandramukhi Pranasakhi
2005 Raghavendra Prathishtana Awards Best Story Amrithadhare
2006 Udaya Film Awards Best Director Debut Rama Shama Bhama
2006 Suvarna Film Awards Best Actor (Hero in a comedy role) Rama Shama Bhama
2015 Zee Kutumba Awards Pride of Zee Kannada Weekend with Ramesh
2016 Zee Kutumba Awards Pride of Zee Kannada Weekend with Ramesh
2018 Zee Hemmeya Kannadiga Proud Inspiration [48]
2022 Honorary Doctorate In Contribution to Cinema Industry By Raani Channamma University, Belagavi
2022 Dr. Shivarama Karanth Award In contribution to Cinema & Society By Dr Shivarama Karanth foundation[49]
2023 Kannada Kala Bhushana Award In Contribution to Cinema & Society By Karunada Sambrama, Bengaluru[50]
2024 5th Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards Best Actor Shivaji Suratkal 2
2024 Mantralaya Parimala Prashasti 2024 In Contribution to Cinema Industry By Mantralaya Mutt & Space Media
2024 Raghavendra Parimala Prashasti 2024 In Contribution to Cinema Industry By Parimala Geleyara Balaga

Personal life

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Ramesh Aravind was born on 10 September 1964 to P.A. Govindachari and Saroja, who are originally from Tanjore district.[51] He has four siblings.[52] He studied in Karnataka from fourth standard onwards.[51] He is married to Archana Aravind and they have two children.[52][53]

References

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  1. ^ "A rare talent for spotting talent, Actor Ramesh Aravind on K Balachander".
  2. ^ "Kannada actors regret 'ban'". The Times of India. 24 September 2004.
  3. ^ "Weekend with Ramesh to be aired on OTT?". The Times of India. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  4. ^ "'Weekend with Ramesh' team celebrates the success of season 4". The Times of India. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  5. ^ R, Shilpa Sebastian (30 April 2018). "Ramesh Aravind to host Kannadada Kotyadhipati". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  6. ^ Chakravorty, Joyeeta. "Ramesh Aravind roped in as BBMP's Covid-19 awareness ambassador". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Welcome to Official 7 Wonders of Karnataka". www.7wondersofkarnataka.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  8. ^ sunita.iyer. "It's official! Seven wonders of Karnataka unveiled by CM Bommai; actor Ramesh Aravind lauds moment of glory". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Ramesh Aravind to be conferred with an honorary doctorate from Rani Channamma University". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  10. ^ Udayavani. "Actor Ramesh Aravind, two others to be conferred honorary doctorate by RCU". Udayavani (in Kannada). Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  11. ^ Udayavani. "Actor Ramesh Aravind to receive Shivaram Karanth Huttura Award". Udayavani (in Kannada). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Shivarama Karanth award for actor-director Ramesh Arvind". Deccan Herald. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Kannada actor-director Ramesh Arvind to receive Shivarama Karanth award". The News Minute. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  14. ^ a b c "Sunny Side Up: The Ramesh Aravind Interview". 9 September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  15. ^ "Mouna Geethe (1986) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew". chiloka.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  16. ^ "A rare talent for spotting talent, Actor Ramesh Aravind on K Balachander". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  17. ^ "A remake can improve upon the original". Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  18. ^ a b c d "Interview with Ramesh Aravind - the director of Uttama Villain". 7 September 2014. Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  19. ^ "Ramesh Arvind: I signed 12 Tamil films because of Keladi Kanmani".
  20. ^ "Ramesh Aravind to host Kannada KBC". daijiworld.com. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  21. ^ a b Khajane, Muralidhara (16 November 2012). "A versatile actor takes the stage at Delhi Belli Hejje". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  22. ^ "Raghvendra Chitravani Awards held". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  23. ^ "The Hindu : Life Bangalore : Kamal Haasan back after 17 years". 14 January 2006. Archived from the original on 14 January 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  24. ^ "Sathyavaan Saavithri is hilarious". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Accident, an enjoyable thriller". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Kamal Hassan's Uttama Villain to open on April 10". Hindustan Times. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  27. ^ vaishnavi. "ಪುಸ್ತಕಕ್ಕೂ ಸ್ಟಾರ್‌ ಪಟ್ಟ: ವೀರಲೋಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ಹೊಸ ಯೋಜನೆ". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Kannada). Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  28. ^ "Ramesh Aravind | ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ರಮೇಶ್‌ ಬರೆದ ʼಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಸರಳ ಸೂತ್ರʼಗಳ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ Vistara News" (in Kannada). 11 September 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  29. ^ "'ಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಸರಳ ಸೂತ್ರ'ಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ಹೇಳಹೊರಟ 'ರಮೇಶ್ ಅರವಿಂದ್'". Zee News Kannada (in Kannada). 12 September 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Know What Actor Ramesh Aravind's Book Preetiyinda Ramesh is All About". News18. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  31. ^ Anandraj, Shilpa (7 January 2022). "Actor Ramesh Aravind creates original audio series". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Weekend Exclusive | Ramesh Aravind & 92.7 BIG FM's RJ Shruti unplugged!". Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  33. ^ "Ramesh Aravind's Shivaji Surathkal 2 to release on this date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  34. ^ Cinema, Talks of (10 January 2024). "'Anbudan Ramesh' is a hot-selling book at Chennai Book Fair, also available on Amazon and Flipkart | Talks Of Cinema". Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  35. ^ R, Shilpa Sebastian (18 April 2019). "Man for all seasons". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  36. ^ "Ramesh Aravind, Brand Ambassador for Election Commission | Sripada Studios". 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  37. ^ nsuchetana. "ಅಬ್ಬಬ್ಬಾ! ಮೈತುಂಬಾ ಲಕಲಕ ಚಿನ್ನದ ಆಭರಣ.. ರಮೇಶ್ ಅರವಿಂದ್ ಬಂಗಾರದ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಆಗಿದ್ದೇಕೆ?". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Kannada). Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  38. ^ "The Official Site of Ramesh Aravind – Actor | Director | Writer | TV Show Host". Ramesharavind.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  39. ^ "Weekend with Ramesh", Wikipedia, 9 June 2023, retrieved 20 June 2023
  40. ^ S, Sridevi. "Ramya to be first guest on Weekend with Ramesh Season 5". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  41. ^ "Nasser and Ramesh Aravind share screen space for the first time in Shivaji Surathkal 2". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  42. ^ "ಜೀ ಕನ್ನಡ ವಾಹಿನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 'ಮಹಾನಟಿ': ತೀರ್ಪುಗಾರರು ಯಾರ್ಯಾರು ಗೊತ್ತೇನು?". Vijay Karnataka (in Kannada). Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  43. ^ "Ramesh Aravind is back in action with two films". Deccan Chronicle. 5 January 2016. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  44. ^ "The Good Samaritan Awards 2016, Bengaluru". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  45. ^ "Actor Ramesh Aravind, two others to be conferred honorary doctorate by RCU".
  46. ^ "Shivarama Karanth award for actor-director Ramesh Arvind". 24 September 2022.
  47. ^ "Suhasini, Ramesh walk away with Screen awards - The Indian Express". www.cscsarchive.org. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  48. ^ "Here's the list of Hemmeya Kannadigas who have made Karnataka proud". The Times of India. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  49. ^ "Actor Ramesh Aravind conferred with Dr Shivarama Karanth Huttura award". Udayavani (in Kannada). Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  50. ^ Ltd, eReleGo Digi Media Pvt. "epapervijayavani ePaper". epapervijayavani.in. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  51. ^ a b "AUDIENCE'S ENTIRE WISH IS MY COMMAND: Ramesh Answers To Surfers Queries". Chitraloka.com. 2001. Archived from the original on 9 November 2001.
  52. ^ a b "The Official Website of Ramesh Aravind - Actor | Director | Writer | Author | Celebrity RJ | TV Show Host". ramesharavind.com. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  53. ^ "If you learn to prioritize 'we' over 'I', all will be well: Ramesh Aravind and Archana". The Times of India. 15 February 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
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