Vijay Raghavendra Explained

Vijay Raghavendra
Birth Place:Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Years Active:1982–present
Father:S. A. Chinne Gowda
Children:1
Relatives:Sriimurali (brother)
See Rajkumar family

Vijay Raghavendra is an Indian actor who appears predominantly in Kannada films. Referred to popularly as "Chinnari Mutha",[1] Vijay is the son of producer S. A. Chinne Gowda and nephew of actor Dr. Rajkumar.[2]

Vijay started his career as a child artist through the film Chalisuva Modagalu (1982) and won critical acclaims for his performances in Chinnari Mutha (1993) and Kotreshi Kanasu (1994).[3] The latter film won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.[4] His first lead role was in Ramoji Rao's production titled Ninagagi in 2002, which was a commercial success and one of the highest-grossing films of the year. However, his subsequent projects under-performed at the box office until he was noticed for his role in the T. S. Nagabharana's period drama Kallarali Hoovagi in 2006, followed by his home production film Sevanthi Sevanthi in the same year. For playing the role of Puttaraj Gawai in the biographical film Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja in 2016, Vijay won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor.[5] In 2018, he made his directorial debut in Kismath (2018).[6]

In 2013, by public vote, Vijay won the first season of the game show Bigg Boss – the Indian version of Celebrity Big Brother, currently produced by Endemol India.[7]

Early life

Vijay Raghavendra was born in Bangalore, India to a family of film personalities. He began to act in films featuring his uncle Rajkumar in the lead. After having acted in about eight films as a child artist, Vijay underwent a formal training in acting at Chennai.[8]

Film career

Child roles : 1980s–1990s

In 1982, Vijay appeared in a small role as a child in Singeetham Srinivasa Rao's romantic drama Chalisuva Modagalu, starring his uncle Rajkumar, Ambika and his cousin Puneeth Rajkumar, credited as Master Lohith. He went on to appear in the 1989 movie Parashuram, alongside his cousin Puneeth Rajkumar in a song. After a brief gap, in 1991 he appeared in Aralida Hoovugalu, a remake of the Hindi film Jawani Diwani (1971), directed by Chi. Dattaraj and co-starred Shiva Rajkumar. His next movie Chinnari Mutha became a huge success and he became a household name in Karnataka. After that, he acted in many movies, including Kotreshi Kanasu, for which he won a National Award for his performance.

In 1993, Vijay, in his teens, appeared in three films: H. R. Bhargava's novel-based drama Jaga Mechida Huduga, Renuka Sharma's devotional Kollura Sri Mookambika, where he played the role of young Shankaracharya and the lead protagonist in the T. S. Nagabharana's Children's film Chinnari Mutha. The film won multiple laurels and awards upon release both at the state and national level. Vijay won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Male) for his portrayal of an innocent Mutha who rises to great popularity through his good deeds.[9] His popularity further rose in 1995 with the Nagathihalli Chandrashekar's film adaption of the novel "Kotra Highschoolige Seriddu", titled Kotreshi Kanasu. Vijay played the title role of Kotreshi and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for the year 1994–95. The other film he featured in was the biographical Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai, directed by Chindodi Bangaresh. He again played the title role as the young and blind reformer Gawai and also portrayed the younger part of Narendra in the Hindi film Swami Vivekananda. Following this, he took a break from films and concentrated on his studies.

Adult roles: 2002–present

His first adult role as an actor was in Ninagagi (2002), a box office blockbuster which brought him success on his first role opposite the debutant Radhika. The film was a remake of the Telugu hit Nuvve Kavali, which screened for over 100 days and created a record.[10] Following this success, he signed two more movies in the same year, which could not succeed at the box office. He has acted in many movies since then. His notable movies are Kallarali Hoovagi, Rishi, Khushi and Kaaranji.

Vijay did not have a single release in 2010. His much delayed films Shraavana, Vinayaka Geleyara Balaga and the multi-starrer Kalla Malla Sulla released in 2011 with the latter two films earning favourable reviews. In 2012, he starred again in a multi-starrer comedy Snehitaru, which received a mixed response at the box office. In 2015, he starred in the biographical Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja and won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor.

In 2013, Vijay was a contestant and winner in the much talked about Kannada version of the reality show Bigg Boss in its first season, which started with 13 contestants.[11] [12] Vijay has been reportedly paid Rs. 5 million prize money.[13]

Personal life

Vijay is the eldest child of producer S. A. Chinne Gowda and his wife Jayamma. he has a elder sister and a younger brother Sriimurali,is a popular Kannada film actor. His paternal aunt Parvathamma Rajkumar was a prominent film producer and distributor in Kannada cinema. He is the cousin of actors Shiva Rajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar. On 26 August 2007, he married a Tulu-speaking girl, spandhana, the daughter of Assistant Commissioner of Police, B. K. Shivaram.[14] [15] The couple has a son named Shourya. Spandana died on 7 August 2023 from cardiac arrest in Bangkok.[16] [17]

Charitable work

In 2013, it was announced that he had joined other Bollywood and international celebrities in the TeachAids initiative, a state-of-the-art approach to worldwide HIV prevention, developed at Stanford University.[18]

Filmography

Actor

Year Title Role NotesRef.
1982 Chalisuva Modagalu Child Judge Credited as Master Raghavendra
1989 Parashuram Crowd member Special appearance in the song "Kadre Thappu Kondre Thappu"
1991 Aralida Hoovugalu Vijay's Nephew
1993 Jaga Mechida Huduga Young Shivu
Kollura Sri Mookambika
Chinnari Mutha Mutta Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Male)
1994 Kotreshi Kanasu Kotreshi National Film Award for Best Child Artist
1995 Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai
1998 Swami Vivekananda Young Narendra Hindi film
2002 Ninagagi Tarun
Prema Khaidi Vijay [19]
Romeo Juliet Achyuth
2003 Heart Beats Vikky
Preethisale Beku Ganesha
Vikram Vikram
Khushi Vijay
Vijaya Simha Vijay
2004 Avale Nanna Gelathi Akash
2005 Rishi Hari
2006 Shree Shree
Sevanthi Sevanthi Devu
Kallarali Hoovagi Jayadeva
2007 Ee Rajeev Gandhi Alla Rajiv [20]
Naanu Neenu Jodi Arjun
2008 Beladingalagi Baa Vivek
Minchina Ota Kishore
Ganesha Matte Banda Ganesha
Mast Maja Maadi Ramu
2009 Nam Yajamanru Alok
Kaaranji Viji
IPC Section 300 Viji
Gokula Raja
2010 Khiladi Krishna Krishna
Aithalakkadi Himself Special appearance
2011ShraavanaVijay
Vinayaka Geleyara Balaga Viju
Vighneshwara Vijay
Kalla Malla Sulla Raghu
Naliyona Baaraa Rajeev
2012 Snehitaru Vittal
Golmaal Chakravarthy [21]
2013 Chella Pilli Hemanth
Bhajarangi Himself Special appearance
2014 Brahmashri Narayana Guru Swamy Tulu film
Paramashiva Raghu
Fair & Lovely Abhimanyu Extended Cameo Appearance
2015 Vamshodharaka Vishwa
2016 Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor
Ranatantra Gautham
Apoorva Rajashekar's sonGuest appearance
Nanna Ninna Prema Kathe Shankar
2017 Srikanta Tarun
Chowka Surya Shetty
Eradu Kanasu Muthu
Happy New Year Raghavendra
Toss Madhav
Mass Leader Vijay
Jani Jani
2018 KismathVijay Also director
Raja Loves RadheRaja
Pardesi C/O London Vijay
2019Yada Yada Hi DharmasyaDharma
2020Malgudi Days Laxmi Narayana Malgudi
2021Seetharam Benoy Case No. 18Seetharam
2023 Kaasina SaraSundaresh
RaaghuRaaghu
Savitri Prashant
O ManaseKarthik
Kadda Chithra Vijay Kshatriya
MarichiBhairav Naik
2024Case of KondanaWilson
Jog 101Vikram
Grey GamesDr. Ram [22]
Filming

Singer

YearFilmSongCo Singer
2006 Sevanthi Sevanthi "Jaaji Mallige Node" Shreya Ghoshal
2008 Beladingalagi Baa "Baa Maara"
2008 Ganesha Matthe Banda "Gopika"
2009 Namyajamanru "Ee Hrudaya"
2011 Vinayaka Geleyara Balaga "Yaarivalee Hudugi"
"Ganeshanige Garike" Naveen Krishna, Shashank Sheshagiri
2014 Fair & Lovely "Haage Ondu" Vijayaa Shankar
2016 Nanna Ninna Prema Kathe "Majabhhothagide"
2016 Akira "Alisade Husiyagide"
2017 Toss "Yavude Sammandha"
2018 Aduva Gombe "Madarangee Madarangee" Anuradha Bhat
2018 Kismath "Preethiyallodane"
"Kismath Theme"

Television

YearTitleRoleNote(s)Ref.
1998 Attige Tele-serial
2013 Bigg Boss Kannada Self
2014 Nenapina Idiot-Box Radio jockey [23]
2016–2018 Drama Juniors Judge [24]
2017–2023 Dance Karnataka Dance Judge
2022 Dancing Champion Judge [25]
2022 Super Queen Judge [26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra makes his directorial debut, changes his name. The Times of India. 11 November 2013. 6 May 2017. 24 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224171722/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Vijay-Raghavendra-makes-his-directorial-debut-changes-his-name/articleshow/25551756.cms. live.
  2. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra Biography. filmibeat.com. 6 May 2017. 8 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170508164306/http://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/vijay-raghavendra.html. live.
  3. Web site: On my pinboard — Vijay Raghavendra. Deccan Herald. 26 January 2017. 6 May 2017. 24 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101305/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/593183/on-my-pinboard-vijay-raghavendra.html. live.
  4. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra has got national award. The Times of India. 16 September 2014. 6 May 2017. 19 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170319051608/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/did-you-know-/Vijay-Raghavendra-has-got-national-award/articleshow/42607494.cms. live.
  5. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra, Malashri bag top honours at State Film Awards. News Karnataka.com. 17 May 2016. 6 May 2017. 15 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170215072545/http://www.newskarnataka.com/bangalore/vijay-raghavendra-malashri-bag-top-honours-at-state-film-awards. live.
  6. Web site: 'Kismat' turns Vijay Raghavendra into a director. Sify. 12 November 2013. 5 January 2019. 5 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190105145443/http://www.sify.com/movies/kismat-turns-vijay-raghavendra-into-a-director-news-kannada-nlmkCgdhggbsi.html. dead.
  7. News: Vijay Raghavendra wins Kannada Bigg Boss Season 1 . . 1 July 2013 . 9 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130709123803/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/kannada/news-interviews/Vijay-Raghavendra-wins-Kannada-Bigg-Boss-Season-1/articleshow/20850087.cms . live .
  8. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra- A Macho Built Popular Actor Of Kannada Cinema. Passionconnect.in. 6 May 2017. 27 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170527013417/http://passionconnect.in/ArticleView?ArticleId=Vijay-Raghavendra-A-Macho-Built-Popular-Actor-Of-Kannada-Cinema. live.
  9. Web site: Vijaya Raghavendra Lucky. Chitraloka.com. 30 June 2013. 6 May 2017. 25 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170525201608/http://www.chitraloka.com/profiles/3516-vijaya-raghavendra-profile.html. live.
  10. https://archive.today/20130624172900/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/08/11/stories/2002081101210200.htm Centuries on debut for them
  11. News: Vijay Raghavendra wins Kannada Bigg Boss Season 1 . . 1 July 2013 . 9 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130709123803/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/kannada/news-interviews/Vijay-Raghavendra-wins-Kannada-Bigg-Boss-Season-1/articleshow/20850087.cms . live .
  12. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra in Big Boss house . 24 May 2013 . 26 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120833/http://www.bharatstudent.com/news/5-121581/vijay-raghavendra-in-big-boss-house . live .
  13. Web site: Bigg Boss Winner Vijaya Raghavendra - Exclusive - chitraloka.com Kannada Movies Latest Kannada Film News, Reviews Stills, Images, Actress, Actors, Pictures . 1 July 2013 . 2 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130702193146/http://www.chitraloka.com/sensational-news/3515-bigg-boss-winner-vijaya-raghavendra-exclusive.html . live .
  14. Web site: Vijay to wed Spandana. IndiaGlitz. 5 April 2007. 6 May 2017. 3 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170603200627/http://www.indiaglitz.com/vijay-to-wed-spandana-kannada-news-30322.html. live.
  15. Web site: Wedding bells for Vijaya Raghavendra. The Times of India. 20 April 2007. 6 May 2017. 23 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223215813/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOI/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOIBG%2F2007%2F08%2F27&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00504&AppName=1. dead.
  16. News: Dance Karnataka Dance judge Vijay Raghavendra's wife, Spandana, dies of cardiac arrest in Bangkok . 7 August 2023 . The Times of India . 7 August 2023.
  17. Web site: 7 August 2023 . Vijay Raghavendra: ನಟ ವಿಜಯ್ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಪತ್ನಿ ಸ್ಪಂದನಾ ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲ . Vistara News.
  18. Web site: Kannada movie star Vijay Raghavendra joins the TeachAIDS education efforts. TeachAIDS Blog. 2013. 8 July 2014. 25 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140725094913/http://teachaids.org/blog/vijay-raghavendra-joins-teachaids. live.
  19. Web site: Prema Quidi - Old wine in new bottle. Viggy.
  20. Web site: Rajeeva is mindless mayhem .
  21. Web site: Review: Golmaal can put you to sleep .
  22. Web site: Angadi . Jagadish . 'Grey Games' movie review: Despite flaws, this psychological thriller manages to entertain . Deccan Herald . 13 May 2024 . en.
  23. Web site: Remake of award-winning national showû Yaadon Ka Idiot BOX WITH Neelesh Misra in Kannada . radioandmusic.com . 26 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190713155901/https://www.radioandmusic.com/biz/radio/programming/remake-award-winning-national-show%C3%BB-yaadon-ka-idiot-box-neelesh-misra-kannada . 13 July 2019 . en.
  24. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra to judge Drama Juniors . The Times of India . 26 September 2023 . 26 April 2016.
  25. News: Vijay Raghavendra to judge new reality show Dancing Champion . 26 September 2023 . The Times of India . 4 January 2022.
  26. Web site: Vijay Raghavendra to be a judge on new show . The Times of India . 26 September 2023 . 16 November 2022.