Ranjan

Ranjan (born as Ramanarayana Venkataramana Sarma; 2 March 1918 – 12 September 1983) was an Indian actor, singer, journalist and writer, known for his work in Hindi and Tamil films. He debuted in the 1941 movie Ashok Kumar, but gained fame in S. S. Vasan's 1948 magnum opus Chandralekha.

Early life Ranjan was born Ramanarayana Venkataramana Sarma in Mylapore locality of present-day Chennai, Tamil Nadu on 2 March 1918. His family hailed from the town of Srirangam in present-day Tiruchirappalli district. Ranjan had his schooling in Madras and received an M. Lit degree from Madras University. While studying in college, he participated in a number of stage plays. Coincidentally, an employee of Gemini Studios, Veppattur Kittu was present at one of his plays. Impressed by Ranjan's performance, Kittu suggested his name to T. G. Raghavachari, who cast him in the M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar-starrer Ashok Kumar, in which he played the role of Gautama Buddha. However, Ranjan did not have any dialogues in the film. Following the success of Ashok Kumar, Ranjan was cast in Rishyasringar, in which he played the title role of Rishyasringa. In his early movies, Ranjan was credited as "R. Ramani, B. A."

Death Ranjan died of cardiac arrest at a New Jersey hotel on 12 September 1983. He was sixty-five years old at that time.

Partial filmography Year Film Role Language Notes 1941 Ashok Kumar Gautama Buddha Tamil Uncredited role 1943 Mangamma Sapatham Sugunan, Jayapalan Dual roles 1945 Saalivaahanan Saalivahanan 1948 Chandralekha Sasankan Chandralekha Shashank Hindi 1949 Nishan Vijay Singh, Vikram Singh 1950 Mangala Prince 1951 Telugu 1952 Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo Hindi 1954 En Magal Raghu Tamil 1957 Neelamalai Thirudan Neelamalai Thirudan 1958 Hum Bhi Kuchh Kam Nahin Hindi 1959 Madari Madathipathi Magal Tamil Minnal Veeran Raja Malaya Simha Raja Telugu Raja Malaya Simman Raja Tamil 1960 Airmail Hindi 1961 Jadoo Nagri Khiladi Sapera 1962 Sakhi Robin 1965 Accident 1969 Captain Ranjan Tamil Produced in 1960 but released in 19691978Amar Shakti Amar's (Shashi Kapoor) fencing guruHindi