Raveendran (actor)

{{short description|Indian actor}} {{BLP sources|date=May 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Raveendran | image = File:Actor Raveendran.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = Thrippunithura, Kochi, Kerala, India | birth_name = Thampi Elias | other_names = Disco Raveendran <br>Ravindher | occupation = {{Flatlist| * Actor * Film scholar * Filmmaker * TV anchor * Interior designer }} | alma_mater = Adyar Film Institute | years_active = 1980{{En dash}}1995<br>2004{{En dash}}present | spouse = Suma | children = 3 | parents = {{Plainlist| * Elias * Dr. Saramma }} | website = }}

'''Raveendran''' is an Indian actor, primarily concentrating in Malayalam and Tamil films<ref name=Thambi>{{cite web|url=http://www.mangalam.com/print-edition/sunday-mangalam/32510|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213120942/http://www.mangalam.com/print-edition/sunday-mangalam/32510|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-02-13|title=സകലകലാ വല്ലഭന്‍|trans-title=Master of all arts|work=Mangalam}}</ref> and he was a very busy actor of both these languages in the 1980s. A multi-faceted personality, Raveendran is also a screenwriter, interior designer, anchor, a film scholar, an acting coach, social activist<ref>{{cite web |title=Actor Raveendran's Bike Rally on Republic day |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTFQH30h3HE |publisher=Reporter Live |access-date=24 October 2019 |date=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alcohol Drug-free New Year celebration In Kochi - സുബോധം വിവാ ലാ വിദ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukfWqgaqM2M |publisher=Asianet News |access-date=24 October 2019 |date=31 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kochi Ready For Druggless New year Celebration |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncak82T_MW8 |publisher=Manorama News |access-date=24 October 2019 |date=29 December 2015}}</ref> and director of film festivals like Kochi Metro (Malayalam) Short Film Fest.<ref>{{cite web|title=Short film fest a launching pad for beginners: Raveendran|url=http://mathrubhuminews.in/ee/ReadMore/12217/raveendran-morning-show1/E|publisher=mathrubhuminews|access-date=2019-10-21|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022022549/http://mathrubhuminews.in/ee/ReadMore/12217/raveendran-morning-show1/E|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Prakash |first=Asha |title=I don't want to be a full time actor : Raveendran |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/I-dont-want-to-be-a-full-time-actor-Raveendran/articleshow/24776825.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=21 October 2019 |date=28 October 2013}}</ref><ref name=Disco>{{cite web |last1=Jayaram |first1=Deepika |title=People wanted to see me as a dancer or a villain and gradually I started enjoying doing such roles: Raveendran |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/people-wanted-to-see-me-as-a-dancer-or-a-villain-and-gradually-i-started-enjoying-doing-such-roles-raveendran/articleshow/56374020.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=22 October 2019 |date=27 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pradeep |first1=K |title=In a brand new role |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/in-a-brand-new-role-actor-raveendran-in-ennum-eppozhum/article7065214.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=22 October 2019 |date=3 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=மீண்டும் சினிமாவுக்கு திரும்பினார் ரவீந்தர் |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/51132/cinema/Kollywood/Actor-Raveendran-backs-to-cinema.htm |publisher=Dinamalar |access-date=22 October 2019 |date=21 September 2016}}</ref> He is an alumnus of the Adyar Film Institute.<ref name="Visual literacy at its best">{{cite web|title=Visual literacy at its best|url=http://mathrubhuminews.in/ee/ReadMore/12217/raveendran-morning-show1/E|publisher=New Indian Express|access-date=2022-06-30|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022022549/http://mathrubhuminews.in/ee/ReadMore/12217/raveendran-morning-show1/E|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career== Raveendran had his specialisation in acting from Adyar Film Institute (now called M. G. R. Government Film and Television Training Institute) in 1979.<ref name="Visual literacy at its best"/> He made his feature film debut in the Tamil hit ''Oru Thalai Ragam'' (1980) and later he acted in 140 films in different languages including Malayalam, Tamil. He played the second lead in Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth movies like ''Sakalakala Vallavan, Per Sollum Pillai, Ram Lakshman, Ranga, Thanga Magan'' and ''Pokkiri Raja''. Often cited as ''Disco Raveendran''<ref name=Disco/> for his dance movements, he concentrated more in Malayalam with I. V. Sasi movies like ''Ashwaradham, Ee Nadu, John Jaffer Janardhanan, Innalenkil Nale, Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam, Iniyengilum, Athiratram, Idanilangal, Karimpinpoovinakkare, Rangam, Abhayam Thedi'' and was a part of numerous hit films until he decided to quit movies. In Tamil, he has also done major roles in ''Echchil Iravugal'', ''Poikkal Kudhirai'', ''En Priyame'' and ''Kutravaaligal''. He became a notable film star through his acting in almost 80 superhit films like ''Ram Lakshman, Sakalakala Vallavan, Ee Nadu, Madrasile Mon, Pappayude Swantham Appoos'', etc. He did a wide variety of genres like action, romantic, and comedy who has exposed his artistic villain characters and has become a sensation who did equal par roles with the South Indian superstars at his prime. He has acted in films directed by famous South Indian directors like K. Balachander, S. P. Muthuraman, I. V. Sasi, and Hariharan. He has also worked with big production companies like AVM, Navodaya, Devar Films, Sathya Movies and Dwarakesh.

He came back to films and did smaller roles till 2013 and then played one of the lead roles in ''Idukki Gold'' directed by Aashiq Abu and Kili Poyi directed by Vinay Govind.<ref>{{cite web |title=After 'Kili Poyi', Raveendran to shine in 'Idukki Gold' |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/after-kili-poyi-raveendran-to-shine-in-idukki-gold-news-malayalam-nggke3hihdjsi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022024047/https://www.sify.com/movies/after-kili-poyi-raveendran-to-shine-in-idukki-gold-news-malayalam-nggke3hihdjsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2019 |website=Sify |access-date=22 October 2019 |date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metromatinee.com/news-articles/actor-ravindrans-story-for-mohanlalmanju-warrier-film-9367 |title=Actor Ravindran's story for Mohanlal-Manju Warrier film|work=Metro Matinee |access-date=2014-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910195752/http://www.metromatinee.com/news-articles/actor-ravindrans-story-for-mohanlalmanju-warrier-film-9367 |archive-date=10 September 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He made his debut as story writer through Sathyan Anthikad's ''Ennum Eppozhum'' and is the festival director of Kochi Metro (Malayalam) Short Film Fest.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prashant |first1=N.D. |title=Kochi Metro Short Film Fest free training from Thursday |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/kochi-metro-short-film-fest-free-training-from-thursday-1.2203819 |publisher=Gulf News |access-date=23 October 2019 |date=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kochi Metro Short Film Fest forays into Kuwait |url=https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/kochi-metro-short-film-fest-forays-into-kuwait/ |publisher=Kuwait Times |access-date=23 October 2019 |date=12 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Beegum |first1=Nazeem |title=Kochi Metro UAE Short Film Fest begins tomorrow |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/kerala-film-festival-to-spread-message-of-love |publisher=Khaleej Times |access-date=23 October 2019 |date=21 September 2016}}</ref>

Raveendran is also an interior designer and has introduced and executed the innovative steel structural space frames of UC College Stadium, Gulfar convention center, Kannamaly and Kothad churches, Kochi and the Petrol bunk at Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram.<ref name=Thambi/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala9.com/news-category/news/movie-news/raveendran-a-life-dedicated-to-cinema|title=Raveendran – A life dedicated to cinema|website=Kerala9.com}}</ref>

==Personal life== He is born to Elias and Dr. Saramma at Thrippunithura, Kerala, India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mangalam.com/life-style/success/134727|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200425/http://www.mangalam.com/life-style/success/134727|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-01-02|title=The Gold Buddy|work=Mangalam}}</ref> He completed 2 years of acting course at South India Film Chambers, Chennai and completed degree course at Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

He is married to Suma. The couple have three children, Mareena, Bibin and Fabin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/132748|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227200233/http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/132748|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-12-27|title=കൊച്ചി' ഗോള്‍ഡ്|trans-title=Cochin Gold|work=Mangalam}}</ref> His son Fabin has acted in ''Idukki Gold'' in Michael's childhood role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=15960435&programId=1073753134&BV_ID=@@@&channelId=-1073751306&tabId=5|title=Manorama Online Latest Malayalam News. Breaking News Events. News Updates from Kerala India|website=Manoramaonline.com|access-date=16 May 2018}}</ref>

==Other achievements== Raveendran has attained his Masters Certificate in Construction Management from the World of Concrete, USA (1996). He has been the convener of Indian Concrete Institute, Kerala (1995-2000) and has had his name highlighted for preparing various structures together with the concepts for Kerala's biggest construction centre, Gulfar. His contributions further stretch the list to Fisheries Department's Hatchery Shed, Bharat Petroleum gas filling station in Trivandrum, churches in Kochi (Kothad and Kalamaserry), etc. The structure design partners of the aforesaid projects were big institutions like Madras IIT, SCRC, and Anna University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzKiH1VBhb8|title=മീഡിയവൺടിവി ലൈവ്|website=YouTube |date=21 October 2013 }}</ref>

In 1996 The Economic Times reported Raveendran as India's most important building material distributor. He has also secured various medals from Tata Steel, Birla Cement, ACL, LST and other companies. For the first time, Tata's director of sales prepared a 15-page booklet on Raveendran's marketing strategy and sent to all zonal managers in India.

Raveendran is also a well known interior designer in Kerala and has also worked as an interior designer in the Handicraft Development Corporation of Kerala.

===Recognitions=== Raveendran has been conducting classes, seminars and festivals on cinema studies, drama, theatre works and short movies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/In-a-brand-new-role-Actor-Raveendran-in-Ennum-Eppozhum/article59835416.ece|title=The Hindu Metro plus|newspaper=The Hindu |date=3 April 2015 }}</ref> Monsoon Film Fest, a traveling film festival, directed by Ravindhar, has been presented even in Paris. He has been the director of Peace International Film festival (1995 to 2008), Swaralaya International Film Festival (2007 to 2008) and has conducted various film festivals like Bharathan Film Festival, Padmarajan Festival, Lohithadas Festival, etc. over various universities in Kerala. He has also presented several programmes about cinema and sports in the major Malayalam television channels such as Asianet and Kairali, premiered a political satire programme in India Vision during the time of general election and has judged dancing reality shows in major TV channels. He has also joined for religious documentaries of Varapuzha and Ernakulam dioceses.

===Present endeavours=== Presently Raveendran is the director of ‘Elias Foundations’ and is conducting film festivals and film appreciation courses in GCC countries and various universities in South India. He has conducted researches on film economics, movie aesthetics and businesses, film culture and technology and is now engaged in writing, directing and producing documentaries for Elias Foundations. Raveendran has been having a great connection with the UAE authorities. Him along with Mohanlal has conducted the first ever UAE national day celebration outside the country of the UAE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/south-indian/mohanlal-leads-uae-national-day-celebrations-in-india-1.68137619|title=Gulf News Daily|date=28 November 2019 }}</ref> He has supervised film festivals and free filmmaking workshops in all the Emirates and has presented seminars in Sharjah International Book Fair about the topics “Visual Literacy” in 2019 and 2022 and “Semiotics of Moving Images” in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/news/gulf/silpasala-actor-ravindar-1.7720877|title=mathrubhumi News paper|date=23 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/global-malayali/gulf/2021/09/28/actor-raveendran-in-dubai-with-literacy-workshop.html|title=malayala manorama News paper}}</ref>

He has also done an interview about his experience undergoing a test for COVID-19 and that has published as an article in the official news agency of the UAE, Emirates News Agency, also known as WAM.

Raveendran unveiled his book "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Cinema" at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AI- Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Cinema (Study) by Ravindar Pattasseril |url=https://lipipublications.com/product/13908/ }}</ref>

==Filmography== ===Actor=== ====Malayalam==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan=3 | 1980 || ''Swandam Enna Padam'' || || |- | ''Ashwaradham'' || Ramootti || |- | ''Varanmaare Aavashyamundu'' || || |- | 1981 || ''Kaahalam'' || || |- | rowspan=13 | 1982 || ''Anuraagakkodathi'' || Rajan || |- | ''Madrasile Mon'' || || |- | ''Kaalam'' || Rajan || |- | ''Aasha'' || Kabir Mohammad || |- | ''Aarambham'' || || |- | ''Velicham Vitharunna Penkutty'' || Jayan || |- | ''Veedu'' || || |- | ''Ee Nadu'' || Prathapan || |- | ''Bheeman'' || || |- | ''Anthiveyilile Ponnu'' || || |- | ''Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam'' || Kumar || |- | ''John Jaffer Janardhanan'' || Jaffer || |- | ''Innalenkil Nale'' || Ravi || |- | rowspan=10 | 1983 || ''Angam'' || Rajan || |- | ''Thimingalam'' || Venu || |- | ''Iniyengilum'' || Pradeep || |- | ''Paalam'' || || |- | ''Thaavalam'' || || |- | ''Theeram Thedunna Thira'' || Suresh || |- | ''Eettappuli'' || Inspector Jayan || |- | ''Asuran'' || || |- | ''Bhookambam'' || Pramod || |- | ''Aattakalasam'' || Vikas || |- | rowspan=6 | 1984 || ''Mainakam'' || || |- | ''Athirathram'' || Chandru || |- | ''Poomadhathe Pennu'' || || |- | ''Minimol Vathicanil'' || || |- | ''Chakkarayumma'' || || |- | ''Velichamillatha Veedhi'' || || |- | rowspan=5 | 1985 || ''Rangam'' || Madhavan || |- | ''Karimpinpoovinakkare'' || Thampi || |- | ''Aazhi'' || || |- | ''Thammil Thammil'' || Thampy || |- | ''Idanilangal'' || Maniyan || |- | rowspan=2 | 1986 || ''Abhayam Thedi'' || Rajendran || |- | ''Ente Shabdham'' || Sivan || |- | 1987 || ''Aattakatha'' || || |- | rowspan=2 | 1992 || ''Mukhamudra'' || || |- | ''Pappayude Swantham Appoos'' || Rudran || |- | rowspan=3 | 1993 || ''Uppukandam Brothers'' || Vasu's son || |- | ''Bhoomi Geetham'' || Vijayan || |- | ''Customs Diary'' || || |- | rowspan=2 | 1994 || ''Cabinet'' || || |- | ''Napoleon'' || || |- | 2004 || ''Kathavaseshan'' || || |- | rowspan=2 | 2005 || ''Chandrolsavam'' || || |- | ''Bharathchandran I.P.S.'' || || |- | rowspan=4 | 2006 || ''Lanka'' || || |- | ''Notebook'' || Doctor || |- | ''Rashtram'' || || |- | ''Chakkaramuthu'' || || |- | 2009 || ''Swantham Lekhakan'' || Ravi Kumar || |- | rowspan=2 | 2011 || ''Oru Nunakkadha'' || || |- | ''Vaadamalli'' || || |- | 2012 || ''101 Weddings'' || CI Chandrabose || |- | rowspan=2 | 2013 || ''Kili Poyi'' || Disco Douglas || |- | ''Idukki Gold'' || K.C. Ravi || |- | rowspan=5 | 2014 || ''Salalah Mobiles'' || Hawala dealer || |- | ''Manglish'' || Pothen || |- | ''Vellivelichathil'' || Gautham's father || |- | ''Ormayundo Ee Mukham'' || || |- | ''Ennum Eppozhum'' || || |- | 2015 || ''Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum'' || || |- | rowspan=2 | 2017 || ''Cappuccino'' || || |- | ''Pashu'' || || |- | 2019 || ''Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha'' || Bombay Sajeevan || |- | 2024 || ''DNA'' || Dr. Raymond D’Cunha ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-05-11 |title=Raai Laxmi's DNA gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/May/11/raai-laxmis-dna-gets-a-release-date |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | 2025 || ''Haal'' || ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Cinema Express |date=2025-12-19 |title=Shane Nigam's Haal finally gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Dec/19/shane-nigams-haal-finally-gets-a-release-date |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | 2026 || ''Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros'' ||Benny ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-14 |title=സ്ത്രീകൾ എന്നെ വെറുത്തിരുന്ന സമയമുണ്ട്, ബെന്നി ബ്രോ എന്നെ ഫാമിലി സ്റ്റാർ ആക്കി- രവീന്ദ്രൻ|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/videos/interviews/vaazha-movie-actor-raveendran-interview-rdwq56l5 |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Mathrubhumi News|language=ml}}</ref> |- |}

====Tamil==== *''Note: he was also credited as Raveendar.'' {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="4" | 1980 || ''Oru Thalai Ragam'' || Madhu || |- | ''Vasantha Azhaippugal'' || || |- | ''Sujatha'' || || |- | ''Anjatha Nenjangal'' || Ranga || |- | rowspan="5" | 1981 || ''Oru Iravu Oru Paravai'' || || |- | ''Ram Lakshman'' || Raja || |- | ''Kaalam'' || || |- | ''Mouna Yuddham'' || || |- | ''Panimalar'' || || |- | rowspan="7" | 1982 || ''Sakalakala Vallavan'' || Pazhani || |- | ''Ranga'' || Ravi || |- | ''Pokkiri Raja'' || || |- | ''Anal Kaatru'' || || |- | ''Nandri, Meendum Varuga'' || || Guest appearance |- | ''Idhayam Pesugirathu'' || Sundar || |- | ''Echchil Iravugal'' || || |- | rowspan="6" | 1983 || ''Yudhakaandam'' || || |- | ''Thanga Magan'' || Ravi || |- | ''Kann Sivanthaal Mann Sivakkum'' || Pakkiri || |- | ''Poikkal Kudhirai'' || Muthu || |- | ''Adutha Varisu'' || Prathap || |- | ''En Priyame'' || || |- | rowspan="6" | 1984 || ''Puyal Kadantha Bhoomi'' || || |- | ''Vai Sollil Veeranadi'' || || |- | ''Vaazhkai'' || Ramesh || |- | ''Pudhiavan'' || Prakash || |- | ''Kaval Kaithigal'' || || |- | ''Veetuku Oru Kannagi'' || Ravi || |- | rowspan="5" | 1985 || ''Thiramai'' || || |- | ''Poove Poochooda Vaa'' || || Guest appearance |- | ''Vetrikani'' || || |- | ''Kutravaaligal'' || || |- | ''Kalyana Agathigal'' || Ambikapathy || |- | rowspan="4" | 1986 || ''Mamiyargal Jakkirathai'' || || |- | ''Iravu Pookkal'' || Deaf-mute man || |- | ''Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren'' || Vishnu || |- | ''Vidinja Kalyanam'' || Balu || |- | rowspan="2" | 1987 || ''Ival Oru Pournami'' || || |- | ''Per Sollum Pillai'' || || |- | 1988 || ''Aval Mella Sirithal'' || || |- | 1995 || ''Paattu Vaathiyar'' || Maarappan || |- | 2005 || ''6′.2″'' || Ramamurthy || |- | 2015 || ''Kaaki Sattai'' || || |}

===Writer===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year ! Film ! Director |- |2015 |''Ennum Eppozhum'' (Story) | Sathyan Anthikad |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{IMDb name|id=0712469|name=Raveendran}} * [http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Ravindran&limit=36 Raveendran at MSI]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raveendran}} Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Kochi Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema Category:Indian male film actors Category:M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni Category:20th-century Indian male actors Category:21st-century Indian male actors Category:Malayalam screenwriters Category:Screenwriters from Kochi Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters