Ramesh Aravind is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter, television presenter and motivational speaker whose breakthrough in the film industry came through his role in the 1990 Tamil romantic drama Keladi Kanmani, in which he portrayed a student union leader with quiet confidence.
His versatile presence on screen and later his engaging work behind the camera and on television earned him widespread recognition across Kannada and Tamil cinema.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Ramesh Aravind
- Date of birth: 10 September 1964
- Age: 62 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
- State of origin: Tamil Nadu
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: Actor, director, screenwriter, television presenter, motivational speaker
- Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
- Weight: 72 kg
- Eye color: Black
- Hair color: Black
- Parents: P.A. Govindachari (father), G. Saroja (mother)
- Siblings: Four siblings – brothers Shridhar, Suresha, and sister Meera
- Spouse: Archana Aravind
- Children: Arjun Aravind (son), Niharika Aravind (daughter)
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Hindu
- Ethnicity: Asian (Indian, Brahmin background)
- Net worth: $3–4 million USD
Early Life and Education
Ramesh Aravind is now at the age of 62. He was born on 10 September 1964 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, to his father P.A. Govindachari and mother G. Saroja.
He moved to Bangalore during his school years. He attended Sri Kumaran’s Children’s Home in Bangalore for his early schooling, followed by National High School and then National College for pre-university studies.
He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore. He was raised in a family with traditional values, within a Brahmin heritage, and grew up alongside his three siblings—two brothers, Shridhar and Suresha, and a sister, Meera.
Personal Life
Ramesh Aravind married Archana Aravind on 7 July 1991. They met during their college days.
The couple has two children: son Arjun Aravind and daughter Niharika Aravind. Niharika directed a short film that received awards before turning her focus to engineering studies, while Arjun is more oriented towards academics rather than the film industry.
Career
Ramesh Aravind began his film career in 1986 with the Kannada film Sundara Swapnagalu, directed by K. Balachander. He also appeared in Mouna Geethe, released shortly after.
K. Balachander played a pivotal role in introducing him to Tamil and Telugu cinema, including roles in Manathil Uruthi Vendum, Rudraveena, Duet, and Sathi Leelavathi. His breakthrough came with Keladi Kanmani (1990), bringing commercial success in Tamil.
He went on to star in successful Kannada films such as Anuraga Sangama, Karpoorada Gombe, Nammoora Mandara Hoove, Amruthavarshini, America! America!!, O Mallige, Ulta Palta, Mungarina Minchu, Thutta Mutta, Hoomale, Sambhrama, and Chandramukhi Pranasakhi. He also scripted Hoomale and Amruthadhare, the latter earning him a story award.
As a director, his debut was Rama Shama Bhama (2005) featuring Kamal Haasan. He also directed Sathyavan Savithri, Accident, Venkata in Sankata, Nammanna Don, and the Tamil film Uttama Villain (2015) without taking a leading role.
Ramesh also established himself as a television presenter. He hosted shows like Weekend with Ramesh (since 2014, with over 104 episodes), Kannadada Kotyadhipati (season 3), Preetyinda Ramesh, Raja Rani Ramesh, and served as narrator for Nandini Season 2 in 2019–2020.
He is also a noted motivational speaker, and a message in his voice was used as a ringtone urging voters to vote during the 2023 Assembly elections, due to his noncontroversial and neutral image. He was chosen as Brand Ambassador for Bengaluru Gold Shopping Festival – Edition 2 in 2023.
He also starred in the detective thriller Shivaji Surathkal 2, released in April 2023.
Awards
Acting Awards:
- 1996–97 – Karnataka State Film Award – Best Actor for America America
- 1997 – Filmfare Award South – Best Actor (Kannada) for Amrutha Varshini
- 1997 – Udaya Film Award – Best Actor for O Mallige
- 1997 – Screen Awards – Best Actor – Kannada for America America and Amrutha Varshini
- 1998 – Filmfare Award South – Best Actor – Kannada for Hoomale
- 1998 – Filmfans Association Award – Best Actor for Hoomale
- 1998–99 – Karnataka State Film Award – Best Actor for Hoomale
- 1999 – Filmfans Association Award – Best Actor for Sambhrama
- 1999 – Cinema Express Award – Best Actor for Chandramukhi Pranasakhi
Writing and Direction Awards:
- 2005 – Raghavendra Prathishtana Award – Best Story for Amrithadhare
- 2006 – Udaya Film Award – Best Director Debut for Rama Shama Bhama
- 2006 – Suvarna Film Award – Best Actor (Hero in a Comedy Role) for Rama Shama Bhama
Television Awards:
- 2015 – Zee Kutumba Award – Pride of Zee Kannada for Weekend with Ramesh
- 2016 – Zee Kutumba Award – Pride of Zee Kannada for Weekend with Ramesh
- 2018 – Zee Hemmeya Kannadiga – Proud Inspiration
Honorary and Contribution Awards:
- 2022 – Honorary Doctorate (Rani Channamma University) – In Contribution to Cinema Industry
- 2022 – Dr. Shivarama Karanth Award – For Contribution to Cinema & Society
- 2023 – Kannada Kala Bhushana Award – For Contribution to Cinema & Society
- 2024 – 5th Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Award – Best Actor for Shivaji Surathkal 2
- 2024 – Mantralaya Parimala Prashasti – For Contribution to Cinema Industry
- 2024 – Raghavendra Parimala Prashasti – For Contribution to Cinema Industry
Net worth
Ramesh Aravind has accumulated his wealth through his long-standing film career, television hosting, directing, speaking engagements, writing, and brand ambassadorships. His net worth is estimated at approximately $3–4 million USD (around ₹25–35 crore), reflecting a diversified portfolio of professional earnings.
Social Media
- Instagram: ramesh.aravind.official
- X: @Ramesh_aravind
- YouTube: Chiloka
Filmography
- Sundara Swapnagalu (1986)
- Mouna Geethe (1986)
- Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987)
- Rudraveena (1988)
- Keladi Kanmani (1990)
- Duet (1994)
- Sathi Leelavathi (1995)
- 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)
- Chandramukhi Pranasakhi (1999)
- Panchathantiram (2002)
- Mumbai Xpress (2005)
- Rama Shama Bhama (2005) – (Actor & Director)
- Sathyavan Savithri (2007) – (Director)
- Accident (2008) – (Director)
- Venkata in Sankata (2009) – (Director)
- Nammanna Don (2012) – (Director)
- Uttama Villain (2015) – (Director)
- Pushpaka Vimana (2017)
- Naanu Nanna Kanasu (2010)
- Bisi Bisi (2010)
- Shivaji Surathkal (2020)
- Shivaji Surathkal 2 (2023)
- Chandramukhi Pranasakhi
- KD – The Devil (Upcoming)
- Butterfly (Upcoming, Director)
- Daiji (Upcoming)
- He Sarasu (Upcoming)
Books
- Art of Success (Year N/A)
- Preetiyinda Ramesh (2022)
- Anbudan Ramesh (2023)
- MasadaMaatu with Ramesh