Devaraj
Quick Facts
Biography
Devaraj (Kannada: ದೇವರಾಜ್) is an Indian actor and theatre actor who works in South Indian film industries. He has largely featured in Kannada films performing various roles as a lead character, supporting character and villainous character. He has also featured in Tamil and Telugu films.
Having worked for over 200 feature films, Devaraj is popularly referred to as a "Dynamic Hero" in the Kannada film industry. Prior to acting in films, Devaraj has performed for various stage plays under the guidance of Shankar Nag and B. Jayashree. Devaraj has won several awards and accolades including the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal as the protagonist in the film Veerappan in 1991.
Early life
Hailing from Lingarajpuram in North Bangalore, Devraj's sole passion was theatre. He was with B. Jayashree's theatre group Spandana and later with Shankar Nag's Sanket.
An employee of HMT for nine years, he entered films through 'Trishula' as a supporting actor in a negative role. He continued as a supporting actor to eventually star in leading roles.
Career
Devaraj auditioned for Trishula with Avinash, both of who were part of a same theatre troupe. Both got through the auditions and the film was his debut as an actor. However, the film did not release. His first released film was 27 Mavalli Circle in 1986. After the success of 27 Mavalli Circle Devaraj acted in many more films mainly in supporting roles. His notable performances include: Aaganthuka, Navabharatha, Indrajith among others.
After the year 2000, Devaraj switched over to character roles and debuted in Tamil and Telugu film industries. He worked in highly acclaimed films such as Naan Kadavul, Malaikottai and Villu in Tamil and Yagnam, Sri in Telugu.
Personal life
In 1986, Devaraj married actress Chandralekha, whom he had met on the sets of his film Sikku. Following this, they appeared together in the 1987 film Kendada Male. After their marriage, Chandralekha quit acting. They have two sons, Prajwal and Pranam. Both sons are active in the Kannada film industry, with Prajwal having established himself as a lead actor.
Notable filmography
Kannada
- Trishula (1985)- Unreleased
- 27 Mavalli Circle (1986)
- Preethi (1986)
- Aaganthuka (1987) - Winner Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
- Anthima Theerpu (1987)
- Ravana Rajya (1987)
- Kendada Male (1987)
- Dance Raja Dance (1987)
- Bandha Muktha (1987)
- Sangrama (1987)
- Aapadbhandava (1987)
- Arjun (1988)
- Sambhavami Yuge Yuge (1988)
- Navabharatha (988)
- Elu Suttina Kote (1988)
- Samyuktha (1988)
- Jana Nayaka (1988)
- Sangliyana (1988)
- Anjada Gandu (1988)
- Ramanna Shamanna (1988)
- Krishna Rukmini (1988)
- Daada (1988)
- Nee Nanna Daiva (1988)
- Meenakshi Mane Meshtru (1988)
- Yuddha Kanda (1989)
- Tarka (1989)
- Hrudaya Geethe (1989)
- Jockey (1989)
- Amanusha (1989)
- Avathara Purusha (1989)
- Indrajith (1989)
- Deva (1989)
- Hendthighelbedi (1989)
- C.B.I. Shankar (1989)
- Idu Saadhya (1989)
- Poli Huduga (1989)
- Nammoora Hammera (1990)
- Ranabheri (1990)
- S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 (1990)
- Thrinetra (1990)
- Aavesha (1990)
- Bannada Gejje (1990)
- Policena Hendthi (1990)
- Prathap (1990)
- Utkarsha (1990)
- College Hero (1990)
- Poli Kitty (1990)
- Hathyakanda (1991)
- Sundara Kanda (1991)
- Kadana (1991)
- Ide Police Belt (1991)
- Rollcall Ramakrishna (1991)
- S. P. Bhargavi (1991)
- Veerappan (1991) – Winner Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor
- Aranyadalli Abhimanyu (1991)
- Shwetagni (1991)
- Veera Dheera (1991)
- Gruha Pravesha (1991)
- Mathru Bhagya (1991)
- Nagini (1991)
- Chitralekha (1992)
- Pruthviraj (1992)
- Goondarajya (1992)
- Nanna Thangi (1992)
- Police File (1992)
- Bhale Keshava (1992)
- Roshagara (1992)
- Prajegalu Prabhugalu (1992)
- Gharshane (1992)
- Bahaddur Hennu (1993)
- Rajakeeya (1993)
- Sidukabeda Singari (1993)
- Abhijith (1993)
- Golibaar (1993)
- Vijaya Kranthi (1993)
- Mojina Maduve (1993)
- Jailer Jagannath (1993)
- Hosa Love Story (1993)
- Time Bomb (1994)
- Adhipathi (1994)
- Gold Medal (1994)
- Looti Gang (1994)
- Mayor Prabhakar (1994)
- Lockup Death (1994)
- Vijaya Kankana (1994)
- Curfew (1994)
- Hettha Karulu (1994)
- Indian (1994)
- Nyayakkagi Saval (1994)
- Kidnap (1995)
- Killer Dairy (1995)
- Mother India (1995)
- State Rowdy (1995)
- Samara (1995)
- Police Power (1995)
- Revenge (1995)
- Emergency (1996)
- Veera Bhadra (1996)
- Circle Inspector (1996)
- Huliya (1996)
- Simhadri (1996)
- Bangarada Mane (1996)
- Kempu Mugilu (1996)
- Choobana (1997)
- Gandedhe Bhaira (1997)
- Yuddha (1997)
- Sangliyana Part 3 (1997)
- Manava 2022 (1997)
- High Command (1998)
- Jai Hind (1998)
- Agnisakshi (1998)
- Dayadi (1998)
- Karnataka Police (1998)
- Tharikere Yerimele (1999)
- Mr. X (1999)
- Habba (1999)
- Garuda (1999)
- Aaryabhata (1999)
- Durga Shakti (1999)
- Om Shakti (1999)
- Minchu (2000)
- Dandanayaka (2000)
- Asthra (2000)
- Bhoomi (2000)
- Billa Ranga (2000)
- Naxalite (2000)
- Bannada Hejje (2000)
- Mathadana (2001)
- Prema Rajya (2001)
- Jenu Goodu (2001)
- Kanoonu (2001)
- Sathyameva Jayathe (2001)
- Kotigobba (2001)
- Neelambari (2001)
- Haalu Sakkare (2001)
- Dharma Devathe (2002)
- Kambalahalli (2002)
- Ay Naan Bhishma Kano (2003)
- Yaardo Duddu Yellammana Jathre (2003)
- Lankesh Patrike (2003)
- Tada Khaidi (2003)
- Prathidwani (2003)
- Thalwar (2003)
- Market Raja (2003)
- Inspector Jayasimha (2003)
- Khakhi (2003)
- Avale Nanna Gelathi (2004)
- Devasura (2004)
- Crime Story (2004)
- Gowdru (2004)
- Maurya (2004)
- Jyeshta (2004)
- Deadly Soma (2005)
- Nidhi (2006)
- Chellata (2006)
- Pandavaru (2006)
- Kallarali Hoovagi (2006)
- Bhanamathi (2007)
- Gaja (2008)
- Prachanda Ravana (2008)
- Nanda Deepa (2008)
- Veera Madakari (2009)
- IPC Section 300 (2009)
- Anischitha (2010)
- School Master (2010)
- Porki (2010)
- Aparadhi (2010)
- Meshtru (2010)
- Gandedhe (2010)
- Gang Leader (2010)
- Deadly-2 (2010)
- Jolly Boy (2011)
- Chinnada Thali (2011)
- Aidondla Aidu (2011)
- Aacharya (2011)
- Jarasandha (2011)
- Dashamukha (2012)
- Cauvery Nagara (2013)
- Mr. Duplicate (2014)
- Ranna (2015)
- Arjuna (2015)
- Preethiyalli Sahaja (2016)
- Nithya Jothe Sathya (2016)
- Run Anthony (2016)
- Karvva (2016)
- Kotigobba 2 (2016)
- Mukunda Murari (2016)
- Santhu Straight Forward (2016)
- Sundaranga Jaana (2016)
Telugu
- 20va Shatabdam (1990)
- Prema Yuddham (1990)
- Neti Siddhartha (1990)
- Bangaru Bullodu (1993)
- S. P. Parasuram (1994)
- Samarasimha Reddy (1999)
- Yagnam (2004)
- Sri (2005)
- Raam (2006)
- Yogi (2007)
- Lakshyam (2007)
Tamil
- Pillaikkaga (1988)
- Malaikottai (2007)
- Villu (2009)