Ravi Varma

Kalasaiah Ravi Kumar is an Indian stunt director and filmmaker known for his work in South Indian and Bollywood films.

Early life Ravi Varma was born on 6 January 1976 to K Kalasaiah and Ningamma in Bangalore, Karnataka. He did his schooling in Bangalore Corporation School. He was once a autorickshaw driver.

Career Varma began his journey with Sandalwood in 1995 as a fight assistant. A breakthrough in his film career happened when he assumed the role of action director in the Kannada film Dharma in 2004, starring Darshan. Raees (2017), and Action Jackson (2014) respectively. His prime projects are Doddmane Hudga, Jaguar, Santhu Straight Forward, Dhruva, Rock On!! 2 and Machine.

In 2019, Varma turned director for the first time with Rustum (2019), headlined by Shiva Rajkumar. He worked as a stunt coordinator on Border 2 (2026). In the same year, he produced his first film, Rakkasapuradhol, a crime drama set in the 1990s, starring Raj B. Shetty. His second directorial, and first in Hindi, Blind Babu, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is scheduled for release in August 2026.

Filmography +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released

Awards Varma has received many awards from the Kannada and the Telugu film industries. He has been conferred with the title Saahasa Saarvabouma by the Kannada film industry.

Year Award Film Category Result 2006 Udaya Film Awards Shri Best Stunt Director 2009 Karnataka State Film Awards Ambari Best Stunt Director 2009 Suvarna Film Awards Kabaddi Best Stunt Director 2012 Udaya Film Awards Sangoli Rayanna Best Stunt Director 2012 South Indian International Film Awards (SIIMA) Addhuri Best Fight Choreographer 2012 Sandalwood Star Award Kempe Gowda Best Fight Choreographer 2013 Karnataka State Film Awards Sangoli Rayanna Best Stunt Director 2013 Suvarna Film Awards Sangoli Rayanna Best Stunt Director 2013 South Indian International Film Awards (SIIMA) Saarathi Best Fight Choreographer 2014 South Indian International Film Awards (SIIMA) Googly Best Fight Choreographer 2014 Zee Cine Awards R... Rajkumar Best Action 2015 South Indian International Film Awards (SIIMA) Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari Best Fight Choreographer