It is a great loss for Tamil cinema (indeed for South Indian cinema) to lose Raghuvaran suddenly like this. This versatile, understated, elegant actor had been struggling with a few health issues, but nobody thought (or knew) how serous it was. The news that is just coming in is that he was suddenly hospitalized on Tuesday night. The cause of his death is still unknown. He was born on December 11, 1948. He debuted in the award winning film, Ezhavathu Manithan (1982), which dealt with the disillusionment of an engineering student with the corrupt wokring practises of industries. He began as a character actor, then played a hero in a few films, went on to be typecast for a very long time as a smooth villain, and then, more recently, as a character actor playing a brother, an uncle, a senior official, a father and a fellow colleague.
He was outstanding as the sleek politician villain in Shankar’s Mudhalvan. Memorable as Ajith’s supportive elder brother in Mugavari, as Srikanth’s strict father in Roja Kootam, Vijay’s jolly father in Love Today, as Maddy’s cool brother in law in Run, Tabu’s brilliant boss in Kandukondain, Kandukondain, the husband with a secret in Anjali, Vijay’s caring neighbour in Thirumalai, an unconventional teacher in Sivappathigaram, an uncorrupt, ethical civil servant in Marudhamalai, the kind doctor who saves Rajini’s life in Sivaji, the Boss, the not so impressive villain in Bheema and a psychiatrist in Silla Nerangalil - which would become his last released film.
Fans of the actor – and there are many across the world – will never forget what a cool actor he was. He brought depth, intensity, elegance, understatement and style to Tamil acting. It is unthinkable not to see him grace the screen again. He will be terribly missed.
