Rahul Ravindran Explained

Rahul Ravindran
Birth Date:1981 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Yearsactive:2010–present

Rahul Ravindran (born 23 June 1981) is an Indian actor, director, and screenwriter who works in Telugu and Tamil films. He made his debut in the Tamil film Moscowin Kavery (2010), before playing leading roles as a man with cerebral palsy in Vinmeengal and as a mechanic in Soorya Nagaram. He made his Telugu film debut with Andala Rakshasi (2012) in the Telugu film industry.[1]

He made his debut as a director with a Telugu film Chi La Sow (2018) for which he won the National Award for Best Original Screenplay

Early life and family

Rahul Ravindran was born on 23 June 1981 in Madras.[2] [3] His parents are Ravindran and Vasumathi[4] His roots are from the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. After graduating from Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, he earned his bachelor's degree in commerce. He then went on to get a masters degree in business management, and then was an assistant brand manager for a leading media company in Mumbai.

Career

It was in Mumbai, while dining at a restaurant, that he got an offer to audition for a television commercial to be directed by Dibakar Banerjee of Khosla Ka Ghosla fame, and the success of that fetched him more commercials. During this period he was also dubbing in Tamil for cartoons and children's shows being aired on television channels, notably being the Tamil voice of the Red Ranger in Power Rangers – Mystic Force and the White Ranger in Power Rangers SPD.

He then quit his job and came back to Chennai to try to find work as an assistant director, but before he could do so director Ravi Varman's team members saw his ad work and called him to audition for Moscowin Kavery.[5] The film introduced a host of new actors including Samantha, with music carried out by Thaman, then making his debut in music composing. However, due to Ravi Varman's date conflicts with his projects as a cinematographer, the film languished in development hell, eventually releasing in August 2010.[6] The film gained unanimously poor reviews from critics,[7] with Rahul winning mixed reviews for his performance. While a critic from Behindwoods.com noted that "he looks every bit the suave software professional", other critics saying that his performance was "wooden" and that he "smiles too much and looks like he could do well, given the chance".[8]

He was next seen in Vignesh Menon's Vinmeengal, where he played Jeeva, who is affected by cerebral palsy. The film which also featured Anuja Iyer, Bhavana Rao and Pandiarajan won above average reviews, with Rahul's performance being appreciated. Behindwoods.com noted that "the handsome Rahul Ravindran utilizes his opportunity and delivers the goods well."[9] However, the critic from The Hindu noted "at times Rahul's trauma doesn't come out effectively, so you feel he could have done better".[10] His third film, Chellamuthu's Soorya Nagaram opposite Meera Nandan faced a much smaller release and won average reviews from critics. Playing Vetrivel, a shop mechanic in Madurai, the film focussed on inter-caste marriage and parental opposition, with a critic citing that Rahul is "good and emotes well".[11] Later in 2012, he featured in the Telugu film Andala Rakshasi, earning positive reviews for his performance and earning him further opportunities in the Telugu film industry.

In 2013, Rahul played a supporting role in the romantic comedy Vanakkam Chennai, featuring alongside Shiva and Priya Anand, with the film performing well at the box office. His Telugu releases in the year, Pelli Pustakam and Nenem…Chinna Pillana?, had significantly smaller budgets and did not fare as well.[12] His 2014 release, Ala Ela became a sleeper hit at the box office, with the film earning audiences through positive word-of-mouth via social media.[13] In 2015, he acted as childhood friends in the action entertainer Tiger with Sundeep Kishan followed the family entertainer, Srimanthudu which also stars with Mahesh Babu.[14] [15] In 2018, he then starred in the romance films Hyderabad Love Story and Howrah Bridge. He also won the National Film Award for Best Original Screenplay for his debut film Chi La Sow.[16] Rahul Ravindran was seen in the Tamil and Telugu remakes of the Kannada film U Turn starring Samantha and Aadhi Pinisetty.[17]

In 2019, he directed Manmadhudu 2 was a failure.[18] In 2021, he also starred with Nani and Sai Pallavi in Shyam Singha Roy.[19]

In 2023, he essay the role of the husband in the Tamil drama The Great Indian Kitchen, a remake of the Malayalam version was released to highly positive reviews from critics and audiences.[20]

Personal life

Rahul Ravindran is married to singer Chinmayi Sripaada in May 2014, whom he began dating in June 2013 after meeting her at the premiere of Andala Rakshasi. Chinmayi dubbed for the heroine in the movie. They have twin children (a boy and a girl).[21]

He has a younger brother, Rohit, who is a professional photographer.

Filmography

Actor

List of Rahul Ravindran film credits as actor
YearFilmRoleLanguage Notes
2010 Moscowin Kavery Moscow Tamil Debut
2012 Vinmeengal Jeeva Tamil
Sooriya Nagaram Vetrivel Tamil
Andala Rakshasi Gautham Prakash Telugu Telugu Debut; —SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut (Telugu)
2013 Pelli Pustakam Rahul Srinivas Telugu
Vanakkam Chennai Deepak Tamil
Nenem Chinna Pillana Krish Telugu
2014 Galipatam Aarav Reddy Telugu
Ala Ela Karthik Telugu
2015 Tiger Vishnu Telugu
Srimanthudu Karthik Telugu
2018 Howrah Bridge Arjun Telugu
Hyderabad Love Story Karthik Telugu
U Turn Aditya Tamil Bilingual film
Telugu
2021 Most Eligible Bachelor Passerby Telugu Cameo Appearance
Shyam Singha Roy Manoj Singha Roy Telugu
2022 Sita Ramam Rahul Varma IFSTelugu
2023 The Great Indian Kitchen Husband Tamil [22]
2024Guntur KaaramVyra Raja GopalTelugu
Chaari 111 CM GMRTelugu[23]

Director

List of Rahul Ravindran film credits as director
YearFilmLanguageNotes
2018Chi La SowTelugu[24]
2019Manmadhudu 2Telugu[25]
2024TeluguFilming[26]

Dubbing artist

List of Rahul Ravindran film credits as director
YearFilmActorRoleLanguageNotes
2018 Chi La Sow Prospective Groom
2021 83 Telugu Dubbed Version
2023 Anni Manchi Sakunamule Telugu

Notes and References

  1. News: Hyderabad is as much home as Chennai is: Rahul Ravindran . 21 May 2021 . The Times of India . en . Lakshmi . V. . 21 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210521192101/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/hyderabad-is-as-much-home-as-chennai-is-rahul-ravindran/articleshow/82358899.cms . live .
  2. Web site: 24 June 2020 . Samantha's emotional message to her first hero – Tamil News . 21 May 2021 . IndiaGlitz.com . 21 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210521192101/https://www.indiaglitz.com/actress-samantha-wishing-rahul-ravindran-happy-birthday-moscowin-cauvery-chinmayi-sripaada-tamil-news-263624 . live .
  3. Web site: Direction has been my dream forever: Rahul Ravindran . 21 May 2021 . The New Indian Express . 21 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210521192101/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2018/jul/11/direction-has-been-my-dream-forever-rahul-ravindran-1841334.html . live .
  4. Web site: Playback Singer Chinmayi to Tie Knot with Actor Rahul Ravindran in 2014 . . 17 September 2013 . 28 October 2013 . 20 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131020045428/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/506558/20130917/singer-chinmayi-marriage-actor-rahul-ravindran-wedding.htm . live .
  5. News: I'm glad my work was appreciated: Rahul . https://web.archive.org/web/20121011165208/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-08/news-interviews/28237728_1_first-film-love-interest-software-engineer . dead . 11 October 2012 . . 8 September 2010.
  6. Web site: 2009 . Aascar's back-to-back releases . Behindwoods . 14 November 2009 . 17 November 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091117045329/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-02/leelai-moscowin-kaveri-14-11-09.html . live .
  7. Web site: Moviebuzz . 2010 . Movie Review: Moscowin Kaveri . Sify. 27 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100830141218/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14954792&ctid=5&cid=2429. dead. 30 August 2010.
  8. Web site: Srinivasan, Pavithra . 2010 . Moscowin Kaveri is beautiful nonsense . . 27 August 2010 . 29 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100829204517/http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/aug/27/south-tamil-review-moscowin-kaveri.htm . live .
  9. Web site: VINMEENGAL REVIEW . Behindwoods . 8 April 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120418094447/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/mar-12-03/vinmeengal-review.html . 18 April 2012 .
  10. News: Reaching for the stars . Chennai, India . The Hindu . Malathi . Rangarajan . 17 March 2012 . 15 April 2012 . 26 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120426120444/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3006207.ece . live .
  11. Web site: Soorya Nagaram Review . Super Good Movies . 30 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120331185840/http://www.supergoodmovies.com/42221/kollywood/soorya-nagaram-review-movie-review-details . 31 March 2012 . dead.
  12. Web site: Nenem Chinna Pillana movie to release on Nov 8th . Teluguwoods . 31 October 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131102201151/http://teluguwoods.blogspot.in/2013/10/nenem-chinna-pillana-movie-to-release.html . 2 November 2013 .
  13. News: Rahul reaps the benefits . The Hindu . 26 December 2014 . Chowdhary . Y. Sunita . 26 December 2014 . 8 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408204503/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/rahul-reaps-the-benefits/article6728367.ece?secpage=true&secname=entertainment . live .
  14. Web site: Review : Tiger – Emotional Action Entertainer . 28 June 2015 . 17 March 2023 . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315100630/https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/tiger-telugu-movie-review.html . live .
  15. Web site: Srimanthudu review. Srimanthudu Telugu movie review, story, rating . IndiaGlitz.com . 17 March 2023 . 9 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150809150305/http://www.indiaglitz.com/srimanthudu-telugu-movie-review-19879.html . live .
  16. Web site: Rahul Ravindran: I am happy that Telugu cinema made it big in National Awards . . 17 March 2023 . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315100634/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/trends/2019/aug/10/rahul-ravindran-i-am-happy-that-telugu-cinema-made-it-big-in-national-awards-13550.html . live .
  17. Web site: Rahul Ravindran comes on board for U-turn remakes with Samantha . 25 January 2018 . 17 March 2023 . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315102832/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/rahul-ravindran-comes-on-board-for-u-turn-remakes-with-samantha-5038862/ . live .
  18. Web site: Exclusive Interview : Rahul Ravindran – I went into depression post Manmadhudu 2's failure . 16 April 2020 . 17 March 2023 . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315100630/https://www.123telugu.com/interviews/exclusive-interview-rahul-ravindran-i-went-into-depression-post-manmadhudu-2s-failure.html . live .
  19. Web site: Chinmayi and Rahul Ravindran become parents to twins . 22 June 2022 . The News Minute . 17 March 2023 . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315100631/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/chinmayi-and-rahul-ravindran-become-parents-twins-165171 . live .
  20. Web site: 'It was my responsibility to do this film': Rahul Ravindran . The New Indian Express . 17 March 2023 . 15 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315100635/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/feb/13/it-was-my-responsibilityto-do-this-filmrahul-ravindran-2546849.html . live .
  21. News: Singer Chinmayi blessed with twin babies, a boy & girl . 22 June 2022 . . 6 April 2023 . 16 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416231221/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/singer-chinmayi-blessed-with-twin-babies-a-boy-girl/articleshow/92375928.cms . live .
  22. Web site: 'The Great Indian Kitchen' movie review: A well-intentioned, functional remake . New Indian Express . 4 February 2023 . Cast: Aishwarya Rajesh, Rahul Ravindran, Poster Nandakumar, Kalairani, and Yogi Babu . 20 March 2023 . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204065913/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2023/feb/04/the-great-indian-kitchen-movie-review-a-well-intentioned-functional-remake-2544096.html . live .
  23. Web site: Chaari 111 Movie Review : Vennela Kishore shines in spy comedy with missed potential. The Times of India.
  24. Web site: Chi La Sow Review: Rahul Ravindran gifts a cute rom-com . IndianToday . 25 March 2019 . 25 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190325094022/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/chi-la-sow-movie-review-rahul-ravindran-sushanth-ruhani-sharma-1304349-2018-08-03 . live .
  25. Web site: Nagarjuna starrer Manmadhudu 2 launched . IndianExpress . 25 March 2019 . 25 March 2019 . 25 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190325093901/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/rakul-preet-singh-and-nagarjuna-akkineni-in-manmadhudu-2-5641617/ . live .
  26. Web site: 2023-10-22 . Rashmika Mandanna's new movie titled The Girlfriend . 2023-10-22 . 123telugu.com . en.