# Ranganath (actor)

Tirumala Sundara Sri Ranganath (17 July 1946 – 19 December 2015) was an Indian actor known for his works primarily in Telugu cinema, Telugu Theater, television, and a few Tamil films. In a film career spanning more than forty years, Ranganath starred in more than three hundred feature films in a variety of roles. He made his debut with the 1969 Telugu film Buddhimantudu.
Subsequently, he starred in films such as Chandana, Zamindarugari Ammayi, Devathalara Deevinchandi, Panthulamma, Intinti Ramayanam, America Ammayi, Andame Anandam while establishing himself as one of the finest actors in Telugu cinema. Ranganath received state Nandi Awards for his works. Ranganath committed suicide at his residence in Hyderabad on 19 December 2015.

## Personal life

Ranganath was born Tirumala Sundara Sri Ranganath in Madras on 17 July 1946 into the family of T. R. Sundara Raju and T. R. Janaki Devi. He then graduated with a B.A. degree from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Ranganath then worked as ticket collector for the Indian Railways before becoming an actor. His wife Tirumala Chaithanya died in 2009. They had two daughters, and a son, Tirumala Nagendra Kumar.

## Career

Ranganath got his first break in 1969 in the film Buddhimantudu. It was in 1974 that he was chosen to play the lead role in the film Chandana. The actor endeared himself to the audience through his sensitive portrayal of various roles. Some of his most popular films include Intinti Ramayanam, America Ammayi, Love in Singapore, Zamindaru Gari Ammayyi, Panthulamma, Andame Anandam, Mavuri Devatha, Kondaveeti Donga, Thayaramma Bangarayya, Rama Chiluka, Khaidi, Devathalara Deevinchandi and Sriramadasu.
Apart from acting in several serials, he has also directed a feature film titled Moguds Pellams (2005), starring Sivaji Raja and Rathi.

## Death

Ranganath was found hanging in his residence at Hyderabad on 19 December 2015 at about 5 pm by his housemaid. Family members rushed him to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. Police investigated the situation, and upon autopsy and further evidence, confirmed suicide.

## Selected filmography

* Buddhimantudu (1969)
* Vintha Samsaram (1971) (Credited as Sri Ranganath) as Investigation Department Official
* Chandana (1974) .. First movie as Hero
* Palleseema (1974)
* Chaduvu Samskaram (1974)
* Zamindarugari Ammayi (1975) as Ramesh
* Ramaya Tandri (1975)
* America Ammayi (1976)
* Pellade Bomma (1976)
* Rattalu Rambabu (1976)
* Secretary (1976)
* Andame Anandam (1977)
* Devathalara Deevinchandi (1977)
* Panthulamma (1977)
* Chiranjeevi Rambabu (1977) as Madhu
* Ramachilaka (1978)
* Love Marriage (1978) as Prasad
* Gammattu Gudhachari (1978)
* Lawyer Viswanath (17 November 1978)
* Tayaramma Bangarayya (1979)
* Intinti Ramayanam (1979)
* Andadu Aagadu (1979) as Mohan
* Maa Voori Devatha (1979) as Inspector Raghu
* Priya Bhandavi (1979)
* Andamaina Anubhavam (1979)
* Madana Manjari (1980)
* Love in Singapore (1980) as Prem
* Mama Allulla Saval (1980) as Sathish
* Navvuthu Brathakali (1980)
* Badai Basavayya (1980) as Himself
* Menatta Kuthuru (1980)
* Dharmam Daari Tappithe (1980)
* Alludu Pattina Bharatam (1980)
* Snehamera Jeevitham (1980)
* Lokam Pokada (1980)
* Pasidi Moggalu (1980)
* Erra Mallelu (1981)
* Jeevitha Ratham (1981) as Chandram
* Guvvala Janta (1981)
* Nayudu Garabbai (1981)
* Kala Rathri (1981) .. Latha
* Gruha Pravesam (1982)
* Ee Charitra Ee Sirato (1982)
* Khaidi (1983)
* Aalaya Sikharam (1983) as Rajashekhar
* Adavalle Aligithe (1983)
* Idhi Kaadu Mugimpu (1983) as Public Prosecutor
* Raju Rani Jackie (1983) as Jagannath
* Manishiki Maro Peru (1983)
* Koteeswarudu (1984) as Superintendent of police
* Ee Chaduvulu Makkodu (1984)
* Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984; Tamil)
* Disco Dancer (1984)
* Merupu Daadi (1984) as Professor Varma
* Rowdy (1984) as Srikanth
* Vijetha (1985)
* Palnati Simham (1985)
* Paripoyina Khaideelu (1985)
* Bhale Thammudu (1985)
* Adavi Donga (1985)
* Chiranjeevi (1985) as Kumar
* Edadugula Bandham (1985) as Janardhan
* Intiko Rudramma (1985) as Inspector Chandrashekhar
* Raja Rishi (1985; Tamil)
* Mayadari Maridi (1985)
* Sri Datta Darshanam (1985)
* Ashtalakshmi Vaibhavam (1986)
* Veta (1986)
* Vetagallu (1986) as Mangapathi
* Nampalli Nagu (1986)
* Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986)
* Maruthi (1986)
* Jayam Manade (1986) as Ravindra
* Ide Naa Samadhanam (1986) as Inspector Vikram
* Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986) as Vasudeva Rao
* Chanakya Sapatham (1986) as Ranga
* Brahma Rudrulu (1986) as Balaram
* Donga Mogudu (1987)
* Sankhavaram (1987)
* Bharatamlo Arjunudu (1987) as Ranganayakulu
* Samrat (1987) as Phanibhushana Rao
* Sthree Sahasam (1987) as Sudhakar
* Gandhinagar Rendava Veedhi (1987)
* Bhale Mogudu (1987)
* Chakravarthy (1987)
* Daada (1987)
* Bhargava Ramudu (1987)
* Marana Homam (1987)
* Sardar Krishnama Naidu (1987) as Chandrasekharam
* Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987) as Veerasekhara Chola
* Thandri Kodukula Challenge (1987) as Adv. Ramu
* Antima Theerpu (1988)
* Chikkadu Dorakadu (1988)
* Bharya Bhartalu (1988)
* Trinetrudu (1988)
* Marana Mrudangam (1988)
* Raktabhishekam (1988)
* Bharya Bhartalu (1988)
* Bandipotu (1988) as Commissioner of Police
* Dharma Teja (1988) as Ramkumar
* Bharya Bhartalu (1988) as Ranga Rao
* Ugranethrudu (1988) as Justice Harishchandra Prasad
* Agni Keratalu (1988) as Chakradhar
* State Rowdy (1989)
* Rudranetra (1989)
* Krishna Gari Abbayi (1989)
* Sahasame Naa Oopiri (1989)
* Muthyamantha Muddu (1989)
* Simha Swapnam (1989)
* Vicky Daada (1989) as D.I.G. Ranganatha Rao
* Adavilo Abhimanyudu (1989) as Col. Raghuram
* Kokila (1990)
* Kodama Simham (1990)
* Inspector Rudra (1990)
* Kondaveeti Donga (1990)
* Iddaru Iddare (1990)
* Nayakuralu (1991)
* Atiradhudu (1991) as Police Inspector
* Prema Sikharam (1992)
* Sahasam (1992)
* Samrat Ashoka (1992) as Bindusara
* Brindavanam (1992)
* Mugguru Monagallu (1994)
* Neram (1994)
* Presidentgari Alludu (1994) as Gopinath
* Ungal Anbu Thangachi (1994; Tamil)
* Cheemala Dandu (1995)
* Amma Durgamma (1996)
* Taraka Ramudu (1997)
* Priyamaina Srivaru (1997)
* Premante Idera (1998) as Venkatramayya
* Subhalekhalu (1998)
* Snehithulu (1998)
* Police (1999) as Police Commissioner
* Premaku Velayera (1999) as Ramanatham
* Vichitram (1999) as Nadabrahma
* Aasala Sandadi (1999)
* Krishna Babu (1999)
* Ravoyi Chandamama (1999)
* Sambayya (1999) as Sivaramakrishnayya
* Vijayaramaraju (2000)
* Okkadu Chalu (2000) ... Commissioner
* Kalisundam Raa (2000) ... Ram Mohan
* Ammaye Navvithe (2001) ... Seshadri Naidu
* Eduruleni Manishi (2001)
* Sampangi (2001)
* Naalo Unna Prema (2001)
* Apparao Ki Oka Nela Tappindi (2001)
* Premalo Pavani Kalyan (2002)
* Police Sisters (2002)
* Raghava (2002)
* Manmadhudu (2002)
* Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
* Nijam (2003) ... Venkateswarlu
* 3 Deewarein (2003) ... Chief Justice S.S. Murthy
* Villain (2003)
* Sakhiya (2004)
* Adavi Ramudu (2004)
* Varsham (2004)
* Andhrawala (2004)
* Laxmi (2004)
* Radha Gopalam (2005)
* Kunkuma (2005)
* Devi Abhayam (2005)
* Aanai (2005; Tamil)
* Moguds Pellams (2005) – Director
* Annavaram (2006)
* Samanyudu (2006) ... Chandra Shekhar
* Sri Ramadasu (2006)
* Lakshmi (2006)
* Hanumanthu (2006)
* Evadaithe Nakenti (2007)
* Sri Satyanarayana Swamy (2007)
* Nee Sukhame Ne Koruthunna (2008)
* Bhadradri (2008)
* Sundarakanda (2008)
* Victory (2008)
* Mitrudu (2009)
* Aha Naa Pellanta (2011)
* Sanchalanam (2011)
* Daggaraga Dooramga (2011)
* Solo (2011)
* Dammu (2012)
* Devaraya (2012)
* Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Charitra (2014)
* I am in Love (2014)
* Cut Cheste (2014)
* Vengamamba (2014)
* Gopala Gopala (2015)

## Television

* Santhi Nivasam (ETV)
* My Name Is Mangathayaaru as KMR (Zee Telugu)
* Iddaru Ammayilu as Venkata Raju (Zee Telugu)
* Atto Attama Kooturo (Gemini TV)
* Mogalirekulu (Gemini TV)