Ranganath (actor)


Ranganath ; was an Indian film actor known for his works primarily in Telugu cinema, Telugu Theater, television, and a few Tamil films. In a film career spanning more than forty years, Ranganath starred in more than three hundred feature films in a variety of roles. He made his debut with the 1969 Telugu film Budhimantudu.
Subsequently, he starred in films such as Chandana, Zamindarugari Ammayi, Devathalara Deevinchandi, Panthulamma, Intinti Ramayanam, America Ammayi, Andame Anandam while establishing himself as one of the finest actors in Telugu cinema. Ranganath received state Nandi Awards for his works. Ranganath hanged himself to death at his residence in Hyderabad on 19 December 2015.

Personal life

Ranganath was born Tirumala Sundara Sri Ranganath in Madras on 17 July 1949 into the family of T. R. Sundara Raju and T. R. Janaki Devi. He then graduated with a B.A. degree from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Ranganath then worked as ticket collector for the Indian Railways before becoming an actor. His wife Tirumala Chaithanya died in 2009. They had two daughters, and a son, Tirumala Nagendra Kumar.

Career

He got his first break in 1969 in the film ‘Buddimantudu’. It was in 1974 that he was chosen to play the lead role in the film ‘Chandana’. The actor endeared himself to the audience through his sensitive portrayal of various roles. Some of his most popular films include ‘Intinti Ramayanam’, 'America Ammayi', 'Love In Singapore', ‘Zamindaru Gari Ammayyi’, ‘Panthulamma’, ‘Andame Anandam’, ‘Mavuri Devatha’, ‘Kondaveeti Donga’, ‘Thayaramma Bangarayya’, ‘Rama Chiluka’, ‘Khaidi’, ‘Devathalara Deevinchandi’ and ‘Sriramadasu’.
Apart from acting in several serials, he has also directed a feature film titled Moguds Pellams, starring Sivaji Raja and Rathi.

Death

Ranganath was found hanging in his residence at Hyderabad on 19 December 2015 at about 5 pm by his housemade. Family members rushed him to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. Police investigated the situation, and upon autopsy and further evidence, confirmed suicide.

Selected filmography