Devaraj (born 20 September 1953)[2] is an Indian actor and theatre actor who works in Indian film industry. He has largely featured in Kannada films performing various roles as a lead character, supporting character and villainous character. He has also featured in Telugu and Tamil films.

Devaraj
Born (1953-09-20) 20 September 1953 (age 71)
NationalityIndian
Other namesDevraj
Devu
OccupationActor
Years active1986–present
SpouseChandralekha[1]
ChildrenPrajwal Devaraj
Pranam Devaraj

Having worked in over 200 feature films, Devaraj is popularly referred to as a "Dynamic Hero" in the Kannada film industry.[3] Prior to acting in films, Devaraj performed in stage plays under the guidance of Shankar Nag and B. Jayashree. Devaraj has won several awards and accolades including the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal as the protagonist in the film Veerappan in 1991.[4]

Early life

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Devaraj was born on 20 September 1953 to Ramachandrappa and Krishnamma in Lingarajpuram, a locality in Bangalore, in the erstwhile Mysore State (now Karnataka). His father worked in ITC Factory, Welfare department. Devaraj lost his father when he was 3 months old as he was suffering from malaria. In 1976 due to his family's financial problems Devaraj decided to work in a HMT Watch factory, Case & Dial Section, where he worked for 9 years, and it was suggested he should act in dramas by his senior colleague at HMT, Govindaraju.[5] Firstly Devaraj joined R.Nagesh's theatre group, later he joined B. Jayashree's theatre group SPANDANA and later on with Shankar Nag's SANKET.[3] His film debut was as a supporting actor in 'Trishula'. He continued to appear as a supporting actor, then acted in leading roles.

Career

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Ravi Srivatsa (left), Devaraj (center)

Devaraj auditioned for Trishula with Avinash, both of whom were part of a same theatre troupe. Both got through the auditions and the film was his debut as an actor. However, the film did not release.[4][6] His first released film was 27 Mavalli Circle in 1986. After the success of 27 Mavalli Circle Devaraj acted in many more films mainly in supporting roles. His notable performances include: His First Hero Leading Role In Hatyakanda In 1989. Upnext Aaganthuka, Navabharatha, Indrajith among others.

After the year 2000, Devaraj switched over to character roles and debuted in Tamil and Telugu film industries. He worked in highly acclaimed films such as Malaikottai and Villu in Tamil and Yagnam, Sri in Telugu.[7]

Personal life

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In 1986, Devaraj married actress Chandralekha, whom he had met on the sets of his film Sikku.[1] Following this, they appeared together in the 1992 film Kendada Male.[6] After their marriage, Chandralekha quit acting. They have two sons, Prajwal and Pranam. Both sons are active in the Kannada film industry, with Prajwal having established himself as a lead actor.[8]

Filmography

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Kannada

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Year Film Role Note(s)
1985 Thrishula Vinod
1986 27 Mavalli Circle Gunda
1986 Preethi Srikanth
1987 Aaganthuka Chandru Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
1987 Anthima Theerpu
1987 Ravana Rajya
1987 Kendada Male
1987 Dance Raja Dance
1987 Bandha Muktha
1987 Sangarama
1987 Aapadbhandava
1988 Arjun
1988 Sambhavami Yuge Yuge
1988 Navabharatha
1988 Elu Suttina Kote
1988 Samyuktha
1988 Jana Nayaka Narasimha
1988 Sangliyana Vikram
1988 Anjada Gandu Sundar
1988 Ramanna Shamanna
1988 Krishna Rukmini
1988 Daada Micheal
1988 Nee Nanna Daiva
1988 Meenakshi Mane Meshtru
1989 Yuddha Kaanda J. D. Patil
1989 Tarka Rithwik Kumar
1989 Hrudaya Geethe
1989 Jockey
1989 Amanusha
1989 Avathara Purusha
1989 Indrajith Fernandes
1989 Hathya Kaanda First lead role
1989 Deva Ramaraj
1989 Hendthighelbedi CID Inspector Prathap
1989 C.B.I. Shankar Amar
1989 Idu Saadhya Ravi
1989 Poli Huduga
1990 Nammoora Hammera
1990 Ranabheri David
1990 S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 Vikram
1990 Thrinetra Shankar
1990 Aavesha Sub-inspector A. Prathap
1990 Bannada Gejje Deluxe
1990 Policena Hendthi Avatari Lokayya
1990 Prathap Devu
1990 Utkarsha Rajesh Sharma
1990 College Hero
1990 Poli Kitty
1991 Sundara Kanda
1991 Kadana
1991 Ide Police Belt
1991 Rollcall Ramakrishna
1991 S. P. Bhargavi Shankar
1991 Veerappan Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor
1991 Aranyadalli Abhimanyu
1991 Shwetagni
1991 Veera Dheera
1991 Gruha Pravesha
1991 Mathru Bhagya Madan
1991 Nagini
1992 Chitralekha
1992 Pruthviraj Pruthviraj / Keerthiraj
1992 Goonda Rajya
1992 Nanna Thangi
1992 Police File
1992 Bhale Keshava
1992 Roshagara Inspector Vijay
1992 Prajegalu Prabhugalu
1992 Gharshane
1993 Bahaddur Hennu Vinod
1993 Rajakeeya
1993 Sidukabeda Singari
1993 Abhijith
1993 Golibaar Arjun
1993 Vijaya Kranthi
1993 Mojina Maduve
1993 Jailor Jagannath[9] Thyagaraj
1993 Hosa Love Story
1994 Time Bomb Prathap
1994 Adhipathi
1994 Gold Medal Subhash
1994 Looti Gang
1994 Mayor Prabhakar
1994 Lockup Death Amar
1994 Vijaya Kankana Shankar
1994 Curfew DCP Pradeep
1994 Hettha Karulu
1994 Indian
1994 Nyayakkagi Saval
1995 Kidnap
1995 Killer Diary Inspector Pratap / Golibar Govinda
1995 Mother India
1995 State Rowdy
1995 Samara Ravi
1995 Police Power
1995 Revenge
1996 Emergency
1996 Veerabhadra
1996 Circle Inspector
1996 Huliya Huliya
1996 Simhadri
1996 Bangarada Mane
1996 Kempu Mugilu
1997 Choobana
1997 Gandedhe Bhaira
1997 Yuddha
1997 Sangliyana Part 3
1997 Manava 2022
1998 High Command
1998 Jai Hind
1998 Agnisakshi
1998 Dayadi
1998 Karnataka Police Hemanth
1999 Tharikere Yerimele
1999 Mr. X
1999 Habba Devu
1999 Garuda
1999 Aaryabhata
1999 Durga Shakti
1999 Om Shakti
2000 Minchu
2000 Dandanayaka
2000 Astra Sharath [10]
2000 Bhoomi Kathla [11]
2000 Billa Ranga
2000 Naxalite
2000 Bannada Hejje
2001 Mathadana
2001 Prema Rajya
2001 Jenu Goodu
2001 Kanoonu
2001 Sathyameva Jayathe
2001 Kotigobba Amar
2001 Neelambari Bharath
2001 Haalu Sakkare
2002 Dharma Devathe
2002 Kambalahalli Malla
2003 Ay Naan Bhishma Kano
2003 Yaardo Duddu Yellammana Jathre
2003 Lankesh Patrike ACP Ramu
2003 Tada Khaidi
2003 Prathidwani
2003 Thalwar
2003 Market Raja
2003 Inspector Jayasimha
2003 Khaki Inspector Dinakar
2004 Avale Nanna Gelathi
2004 Devasura
2004 Crime Story
2004 Gowdru Rudrappa Gowda
2004 Maurya Prathap
2004 Jyeshta Devu
2005 Deadly Soma
2006 Nidhi
2006 Chellata Rudra
2006 Pandavaru Devanna
2006 Kallarali Hoovagi Hyder Ali
2007 Bhanamathi
2008 Gaja Devendra
2008 Prachanda Ravana
2008 Nanda Deepa
2009 Veera Madakari Police commissioner
2009 IPC Section 300 Mallikarjun
2010 Anischitha
2010 School Master
2010 Porki ACP Abdul Azem Sher Khan
2010 Aparadhi
2010 Meshtru Narayana
2010 Gandedhe Shankare Gowda
2010 Gang Leader
2010 Deadly-2 Vishwajeet Deshmukh
2011 Jolly Boy
2011 Chinnada Thali
2011 Mr. Duplicate Ramu
2011 Aidondla Aidu
2011 Aacharya
2011 Jarasandha
2012 Dashamukha Devaraj
2013 Cauvery Nagara
2015 Ranna Prakash
2015 Arjuna CBI officer
2016 Preethiyalli Sahaja
2016 Nithya Jothe Sathya
2016 Run Antony Nazeem Khan
2016 Karvva Tilak's father
2016 Kotigobba 2 Orphanage owner
2016 Mukunda Murari Retired advocate
2016 Santhu Straight Forward Santhosh's father
2016 Sundaranga Jaana Panduranga Rao
2017 Jindaa
2017 Yugapurusha
2017 Tarak Tarak Ram
2017 Once More Kaurava
2017 Mufti Raghuveer Bhandri
2018 Hebbet Ramakka Kalleshanna
2018 Tagaru ACP Ramachandra
2019 Geetha Shankar
2019 Yajamana Gurikar Huliyappa Nayaka SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada
2019 Amar Bobby's father
2019 Odeya Srinivas Odeyar
2021 Roberrt Sathyadev
2022 Head Bush D. Devaraj Urs
2022 Banaras Ajay Simha
2023 Prajarajya Jayaprakash
2023 Tatsama Tadbhava Cameo
2023 Raja Marthanda [12]
2024 Mafia† Hari Krishna Post Production
Bhairathi Ranagal Raghuveer Bhandari Filming

Telugu

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Year Film Role Note
1990 20va Sathabdam Suryam
Prema Yuddham Ranjith
Kaliyuga Abhimanyudu[13] Bhagawan
Neti Siddhartha Bhillu
1991 Yerra Mandaram Jagganna Dora
1993 Bangaru Bullodu Nana
Varasudu Narendra
1994 S. P. Parasuram Rayappa
Anna
1999 Samarasimha Reddy Veera Raghava Reddy's son
2004 Yagnam Redappa
2005 Sri Bhikshapati
2006 Raam Rahim
2007 Yogi
Evadaithe Nakenti Chakravarthi
Lakshyam DIG Hari Narayan
2009 Naa Style Veru Parvathy's uncle
2018 Bharat Ane Nenu Sripathi Rao [14]
2023 Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire Om

Tamil

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Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b Nina C George (November 2009). "Long-lasting love". Deccanherald. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  2. ^ Devaraj. Weekend with Ramesh Season 2 - Episode 7 - January 16, 2016 - Full Episode. Zee Kannada. ozee.com. Event occurs at 3:38. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Friday Review Bangalore : Hero, villain, two in one". The Hindu. 23 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Welcome to". Sify. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Weekend with Ramesh Season 2 Episode 7 - 16 January, 2016". www.zee5.com. Zee Digital. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  6. ^ a b Devaraj (28 October 2014). Nam Kathe Nim Jyothe - Episode - 3 - 5.4.14. India: Zee Kannada. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Devaraj". IMDb.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  8. ^ Sharadhaa, A (7 October 2014). "Devraj Brothers Share Screen Space". Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  9. ^ "Jailer Jagannath (1993) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew". chiloka.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Astra - Action lovers' delight". indiainfo.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2002.
  11. ^ "Review: Bhoomi". Sify. Archived from the original on 18 January 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Raja Marthanda- Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date - BookMyShow".
  13. ^ "Kaliyuga Abhimanyudu (1990) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  14. ^ R, Shajini S (4 March 2018). "Mahesh Babu starrer 'Bharat Ane Nenu's' interval bang to be a major highlight". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  15. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
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