# Nizhalgal Ravi

Ravichandran Samanna (born 16 April 1956), known professionally as Nizhalgal Ravi, is an Indian film, television and voice actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He has also performed in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films and television series. He started his career in 1980 with the film Nizhalgal. He has acted in 560 films. He is best known for his dubbing work for Amitabh Bachchan in Tamil.

## Career

Nizhalgal Ravi started his career under the team of veteran director Bharathiraja in the Tamil film Nizhalgal (1980), which fetched him his sobriquet Nizhalgal. He has played many roles in movies like Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi (1987), Nayakan (1987), Vedham Pudhithu (1987), etc. His versatility has won him praises. He has acted in over 20 movies in Malayalam in the 80s before moving into mainstream Tamil movies. He paired with several leading actress Radhika, Radha, Gautami, Khushbu, Ramya Krishnan, Revathi, Urvashi, Bhanupriya, Amala, Ranjini, Seetha, Kanaka, Saranya Ponvannan, Kasthuri, Rohini.
He completed his Bachelor of Arts majoring in economics from PSG College of Arts & Science. He then acted in K. Balachander’s telefilm Rail Sneham in the late 80s and 90s. He became popular through this opportunity and went on to act in the same director's TV serial Jannal. He then went on to play the caring husband, villain, second hero in many movies and even comedian at times. He is also a seasoned voice artist having dubbed for many actors.

## Notable filmography
### Films

* Nizhalgal (1980)
* Kakka (1982; Malayalam)
* Sri Raghavendrar (1985)
* Meenamaasathile Sooryan (1986)
* Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi (1987)
* Veendum Lisa (1987)
* Nayakan (1987)
* Vedham Pudhithu (1987)
* Mappillai (1989)
* Nyaya Tharasu (1989)
* Pathimoonam Number Veedu (1990)
* Adhisaya Manithan (1990)
* My Dear Marthandan (1990)
* Dharma Durai (1991)
* Annamalai (1992)
* Singaravelan (1992)
* Marupadiyum (1993)
* Aasai (1995)
* Kuruthipunal (1995)
* Naan Petha Magane (1995)
* Indian (1996)
* Arunachalam (1997)
* Suryavamsam (1997)
* Bharathi (2000)
* Kushi (2000)
* Puthira Punithama (2000)
* Budget Padmanabhan (2000)
* Citizen (2001)
* Villain (2002)
* Thirumalai (2003)
* Singam (2010)
* Melvilasom (2011)
* Venghai (2011)
* Vanakkam Chennai (2013)
* Singam II (2013)
* Ratsasan (2018)
* Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022)
* Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023)
* Raakadhan (2023)
* Mark Antony (2023)
* Raththam (2023)

### As voice actor

| Year | Films | Actor | Notes |
| 1989 | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal | Rahman | |
| 1993 | Captain Magal | Raja | |
| 2008 | Bommalattam | Nana Patekar | Tamil version only |
| 2015 | Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka | Mithun Chakraborty | |
| 2018 | K.G.F: Chapter 1 | Anant Nag | Tamil version only |
| 2018 | Thugs of Hindustan | Amitabh Bachchan | Tamil version only |
| 2019 | Kaappaan | Boman Irani | |
| 2019 | Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy | Amitabh Bachchan | Tamil version only |
| 2019 | Bigil | Jackie Shroff | |
| 2019 | Aladdin | Navid Negahban | Tamil version only |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Language |
| | Appavukkaaga | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1986 | Nallador Veenai | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1991 | Rail Sneham | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1995–1996 | Rathri | | ETV | Telugu |
| 1996 | Ivala En Manaivi | Bhaskar | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1996 | Doctor Dharani | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1996 | Kaveri | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1998–2000 | Idhi Katha Kadu | | ETV | Telugu |
| 1998–1999 | Velagu Needalu | | ETV | Telugu |
| 1999 | Kasalavu Nesam | | Sun TV / Raj TV | Tamil |
| 2001–2002 | Marumagal | | Vijay TV | Tamil |
| 2001–2003 | Alaigal | Eswaramoorthy | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2002–2004 | Ninne Pelladatha | Vittal Prasad | Gemini TV | Telugu |
| 2005–2006 | Deerga Sumangali | | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2005 | Aparajitha | | Gemini TV | Telugu |
| 2008 | Emergency Action | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 2009–2010 | Thendral | Velayudham | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2012–2014 | Suryaputhri | | Kalaignar TV | Tamil |
| 2018–2020 | Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo | Devaraj | ETV | Telugu |
| 2019–2020 | Run | Dr. Radhakrishnan (RK) | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2020–2021 | Chithi 2 | Shanmugapriyan | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2020 | The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye | Maya's father | Amazon Prime Video | Hindi |
| 2020 | Breathe: Into the Shadows | Principal Krishnan Moorthy | Amazon Prime Video | Hindi |
| 2021 | Thirumagal | Shanmugapriyan (Special Appearance) | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2022 | Irai | Subbaraj | Aha | Tamil |
| 2022–2023 | Vantalakka | Ramakotayya | Star Maa | Telugu |