Ramesh Aravind

Career

Acting

While studying at engineering college, Ramesh Aravind worked as an emcee at award functions, including an event celebrating the success of the film Sagara Sangamam (1983), where he met his long-term collaborator Kamal Haasan. He then started his television career hosting the show Parichaya on DD1-Kannada before working on a Kannada-language film titled Mouna Geethe, in which he had a supporting role. Prior to the release of the film, Aravind was approached by director K. Balachander who had been casting the role of Kamal Haasan for a Kannada version of the Tamil film Sollathaan Ninaikkiren (1973). After a brief audition, Balachander selected Aravind after being "impressed with his eyes" and cast him as the playboy character in Sundara Swapnagalu (1986), which released shortly before Mouna Geethe.

Balachander then gave Aravind a small role in Punnagai Mannan (1986) as Revathi's ex-lover but his scenes were edited out of the final version. Aravind worked with the same director in the Tamil film Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) but Balachander later recommended to Aravind to opt out of the film and work with K. Bhagyaraj instead to make his debut in a leading role. The proposed film was later shelved and Aravind returned to the cast of Manathil Uruthi Vendum, winning critical acclaim for his performance. Balachander introduced Ramesh Aravind into Telugu films through Rudraveena, having been introduced into three film industries by the same director.

Ramesh made his breakthrough portraying a student union leader in Vasanth's romantic drama film Keladi Kanmani (1990), whose commercial success. He earned critical acclaim in Tamil cinema for his portrayal of a love-ridden musician in Balachander's Duet (1994) and for his performance alongside Kamal Haasan in Balu Mahendra's comedy film Sathi Leelavathi (1995). In his return to Tamil films since the mid-1990s, Ramesh frequently collaborated with Kamal Haasan on projects including the unreleased Kanden Seethaiyai (1996), Panchathantiram (2002) and Mumbai Xpress (2005).

Subsequently, he returned to the Bangalore-based film industry to work in Kannada films. He appeared in several consecutive commercially successful Kannada films including Anuraga Sangama (1995), Karpoorada Gombe (1996), Nammoora Mandara Hoove (1996), Amruthavarshini (1997), America! America!! (1997), O Mallige (1997), Ulta Palta (1997), Mungarina Minchu (1997), Thutta Mutta (1998), Hoomale (1998), Sambhrama (1999) and Chandramukhi Pranasakhi (1999), becoming one of the industry's highest-paid actors.

Ramesh Aravind scripted the film Hoomale in 1998, leading to his career in film directing. Hoomale won Aravind the Best Actor Filmfare Award and the Karnataka State Award. His script for Amruthadhare (2005) won him the Raghvendra Chitravani Award for Best Story.

Directing

Ramesh Aravind's directorial debut was Rama Shama Bhama (2005) with Kamal Haasan. After this, he directed Sathyavan Savithri and Accident. In 2009, he directed the comedy film Venkata in Sankata and later Nammanna Don in 2012.

When Kamal Haasan asked Aravind to direct the Tamil-language film Uttama Villain (2015), Aravind accepted the offer. Uttama Villain is the first Aravind-directed film in which he did not portray a leading role; he said he accepted the film due to the "challenging nature of the script" and the opportunity to direct his mentor K. Balachander.

In 2016, Ramesh Aravind has stamped his own signature for his seventh directorial, Sundaranga Jaana, remake the original 2015 Telugu film, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy. In 2021, Ramesh as the protagonist and excels in his performance in the crime thriller film 100.

Writer

His Kannada book "Art of Success" which is a collection of his quotes, became a bestseller. His recent book "Preetiyinda Ramesh" as highly successful with 5 editions in 5 months of release Aravind has written and narrated the Kannada audiobook "MasadaMaatu with Ramesh", which is available on Storytel.

Ramesh was also a celebrity talk-radio host on Big FM. His more recent notable appearance was in Shivaji Surathkal 2 which was released all over cinema theatres on 14 April 2023.

In 2024, his popular book & the Best Seller of 2022 - 23 "Preethyinda Ramesh" was translated to Tamil language as "Anbudan Ramesh".

Public speaking

Ramesh Aravind is also known for his work as a motivational speaker. A message in his voice was used as ringtone urging voters to vote in 2023 Assembly elections over Jio, Airtel platforms because of his noncontroversial and neutral image. He was chosen as Brand Ambassador for Bengaluru Gold Shopping Festival - Edition 2 in 2023.

Television

Ramesh Aravind has hosted the following shows: His show Weekend with Ramesh involves him inviting some of the prominent personalities from Karnataka to talk about their personal and professional lives. His show Weekend With Ramesh Season 5 is streaming on Zee Kannada. Dr. Ramesh Aravind turns as "Master-Mind" or Maha Guru for the show Mahanati (2024) telecasting every weekend in Zee Kannada channel. His inspirational speeches, and activities & other constant supporting abilities are appreciated by audience.

Filmography

Main article: Ramesh Aravind filmography

Awards

Ramesh Aravind has won awards for his acting, directing and writing. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Rani Channamma University for his contribution to cinema. In the year 2022, he was awarded the Dr. Shivarama Karanth Award for his work as an actor, director and resource person.

Personal life

Ramesh Aravind was born on 10 September 1964 to P.A. Govindachari and Saroja, who are originally from Tanjore district. He has four siblings. He studied in Karnataka from fourth standard onwards. He is married to Archana Aravind and they have two children.

References

References

1. "A rare talent for spotting talent, Actor Ramesh Aravind on K Balachander".
2. (24 September 2004). "Kannada actors regret 'ban'".
3. (18 October 2021). "Weekend with Ramesh to be aired on OTT?".
4. (6 August 2019). "'Weekend with Ramesh' team celebrates the success of season 4".
5. R, Shilpa Sebastian. (30 April 2018). "Ramesh Aravind to host Kannadada Kotyadhipati". The Hindu.
6. "Ramesh Aravind roped in as BBMP's Covid-19 awareness ambassador".
7. "Welcome to Official 7 Wonders of Karnataka.".
8. sunita.iyer. "It's official! Seven wonders of Karnataka unveiled by CM Bommai; actor Ramesh Aravind lauds moment of glory".
9. "Ramesh Aravind to be conferred with an honorary doctorate from Rani Channamma University".
10. Udayavani. "Actor Ramesh Aravind, two others to be conferred honorary doctorate by RCU".
11. Udayavani. "Actor Ramesh Aravind to receive Shivaram Karanth Huttura Award".
12. (24 September 2022). "Shivarama Karanth award for actor-director Ramesh Arvind".
13. (25 September 2022). "Kannada actor-director Ramesh Arvind to receive Shivarama Karanth award".
14. (28 June 2023). "Top 100 Motivational Influencers in 2025".
15. (26 August 2025). "City of Austin Honors Dr. Ramesh Aravind at The Day of Gratitude Gala 2025".
16. "City of Austin honors Dr Ramesh Aravind at The Day of Gratitude Gala 2025".
17. (9 September 2014). "Sunny Side Up: The Ramesh Aravind Interview".
18. https://maadhyama-aneka.com/ramesh-aravind/
19. "Mouna Geethe (1986) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew".
20. "A rare talent for spotting talent, Actor Ramesh Aravind on K Balachander".
21. "A remake can improve upon the original".
22. (7 September 2014). "Interview with Ramesh Aravind - the director of Uttama Villain".
23. "Ramesh Arvind: I signed 12 Tamil films because of Keladi Kanmani".
24. "Ramesh Aravind to host Kannada KBC".
25. (16 November 2012). "A versatile actor takes the stage at Delhi Belli Hejje". The Hindu.
26. "Raghvendra Chitravani Awards held". The Times of India.
27. (14 January 2006). "The Hindu : Life Bangalore : Kamal Haasan back after 17 years".
28. "Sathyavaan Saavithri is hilarious".
29. "Accident, an enjoyable thriller".
30. (24 March 2015). "Kamal Hassan's Uttama Villain to open on April 10".
31. "Sundaranga Jaana review: Clean humour with ample twists". newindianexpress.
32. "100 Movie Review: Ramesh Aravind headlines this crisp cybercrime thriller". timesofindia.
33. vaishnavi. "ಪುಸ್ತಕಕ್ಕೂ ಸ್ಟಾರ್‌ ಪಟ್ಟ: ವೀರಲೋಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ಹೊಸ ಯೋಜನೆ".
34. (11 September 2022). "Ramesh Aravind {{!}} ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ರಮೇಶ್‌ ಬರೆದ ʼಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಸರಳ ಸೂತ್ರʼಗಳ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ Vistara News".
35. (12 September 2022). "'ಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಸರಳ ಸೂತ್ರ'ಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ಹೇಳಹೊರಟ 'ರಮೇಶ್ ಅರವಿಂದ್'".
36. (12 September 2022). "Know What Actor Ramesh Aravind's Book Preetiyinda Ramesh is All About".
37. Anandraj, Shilpa. (7 January 2022). "Actor Ramesh Aravind creates original audio series". The Hindu.
38. "Weekend Exclusive {{!}} Ramesh Aravind & 92.7 BIG FM's RJ Shruti unplugged!".
39. "Ramesh Aravind's Shivaji Surathkal 2 to release on this date".
40. Cinema, Talks of. (10 January 2024). "'Anbudan Ramesh' is a hot-selling book at Chennai Book Fair, also available on Amazon and Flipkart {{!}} Talks Of Cinema".
41. R, Shilpa Sebastian. (18 April 2019). "Man for all seasons". The Hindu.
42. (12 May 2023). "Ramesh Aravind, Brand Ambassador for Election Commission {{!}} Sripada Studios".
43. nsuchetana. "ಅಬ್ಬಬ್ಬಾ! ಮೈತುಂಬಾ ಲಕಲಕ ಚಿನ್ನದ ಆಭರಣ.. ರಮೇಶ್ ಅರವಿಂದ್ ಬಂಗಾರದ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಆಗಿದ್ದೇಕೆ?".
44. "The Official Site of Ramesh Aravind – Actor | Director | Writer | TV Show Host". Ramesharavind.com.
45. (9 June 2023). "Weekend with Ramesh". Wikipedia.
46. S, Sridevi. "Ramya to be first guest on Weekend with Ramesh Season 5". The Times of India.
47. "Nasser and Ramesh Aravind share screen space for the first time in Shivaji Surathkal 2".
48. "ಜೀ ಕನ್ನಡ ವಾಹಿನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 'ಮಹಾನಟಿ': ತೀರ್ಪುಗಾರರು ಯಾರ್ಯಾರು ಗೊತ್ತೇನು?".
49. (5 January 2016). "Ramesh Aravind is back in action with two films". Deccan Chronicle.
50. "The Good Samaritan Awards 2016, Bengaluru". The Times of India.
51. "Actor Ramesh Aravind, two others to be conferred honorary doctorate by RCU".
52. (24 September 2022). "Shivarama Karanth award for actor-director Ramesh Arvind".
53. "Suhasini, Ramesh walk away with Screen awards - The Indian Express".
54. (15 March 2018). "Here's the list of Hemmeya Kannadigas who have made Karnataka proud". The Times of India.
55. "Actor Ramesh Aravind conferred with Dr Shivarama Karanth Huttura award". Udayavani.
56. Ltd, eReleGo Digi Media Pvt. "epapervijayavani ePaper".
57. (2001). "Audience's Entire Wish Is My Commands: Ramesh Answers To Surfers Queries". [[Chitraloka.com]].
58. "The Official Website of Ramesh Aravind".
59. (15 February 2018). "If you learn to prioritize 'we' over 'I', all will be well: Ramesh Aravind and Archana". The Times of India.