S. Shivaram, popularly known simply as Shivaram or Shivaramanna, is an Indian actor, producer and director whose Kannada cinema career has spanned six decades. He has played roles including lead hero performances, character roles, comedic roles, as well as supporting parts. He teamed up with his elder brother, S. Ramanathan and produced several films under the name Rashi Brothers apart from directing Hrudaya Sangama in 1972. The brothers together produced few Bollywood films as well. As an actor, Shivaram has the distinction of working with many stalwart directors out of which his association with Puttanna Kanagal is much remembered. He has been a part of all the seven Kannada movies directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao starring Rajkumar.
Early life
Shivaram was born in a middle classHinduBrahmin family in Choodasandra Village in Madras Presidency, a place bordering the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states. After having his primary education completed, he moved to Bangalore city along with his elder brother Srikanteshwara Iyer, who was running, esteemed Vani typewriting & Commerce Institute. Influenced by the theater screenings of Gubbi Veeranna, Shivaram developed a strong liking towards the film-making and acting. He began to act in several stage plays and migrated to cinema in 1958 assisting various directors such as Ku. Ra. Seetharama Sastry. He also worked as a camera assistant to the veteran cinematographer Boman D. Irani. Shivaram's first appearance as an actor on the silver screen was with Beratha Jeeva in 1965 directed and co-produced by K. R. Seetharama Sastry. Meanwhile, he was assisting various prominent directors like K. S. L. Swamy, Geethapriya, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and Puttanna Kanagal.
Career
After his stint as the assistant director from 1958 through 1965, he got his acting break insupporting role in Seetharama Shastry's Beretha Jeeva starring Kalyan Kumar. From then on, he acted with almost all the directors of the 1970s and 1980s through 2000s. Some of his most memorable performances as a character actor include Sharapanjara, Naagarahaavu, Shubhamangala; all of which are directed by Puttanna Kanagal. His comic roles were appreciated in many films such as Chalisuva Modagalu, Shravana Banthu, Haalu Jenu, Hombisilu, Hosa Belaku, Guru Shishyaru, Simhada Mari Sainya, Makkala Sainya to name a few. He appeared in the lead role in Driver Hanumanthu which was also co-produced by him. Post 2000 year, he switched to character roles performing in major blockbusters such as Apthamitra, Huchcha and parallel cinemas such as Bara and Thaayi Saheba. He also acted in television seriesGrihabhanga, directed by Girish Kasaravalli and Baduku directed by Ravikiran. Associating with his brother, S. Ramanathan and forming a home production named "Rashi Brothers", Shivaram co-produced many of the blockbuster and critically acclaimed movies such as Gejje Pooje, Upasane, Nanobba Kalla, Driver Hanumanthu and Bahala Chennagide.
