Select Page

Draft:Vijaya Rangaraju

Vijaya Rangaraju (also known as Raj Kumar; c. 1954 – January 20, 2025) was an Indian actor known for his work in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada cinema. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he appeared in over 400 films, often portraying villainous and supporting roles. He gained recognition for his performances in films like Bhairava Dweepam (1994), Vietnam Colony (1992), and Yagnam (2004).

Early life

Rangaraju was born in Pune and raised in Mumbai, where he attended school with Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff. He later studied in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. His birth name was Raj Kumar.

Career

He began his acting career with the Telugu film Seetha Kalyanam. He became known for his roles in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada films. His notable performance in the Malayalam film Vietnam Colony (1992) as Paravur Rawther brought him significant acclaim.

In the Telugu fantasy film Bhairava Dweepam (1994), he was credited as Vijaya Ranga Raja. He was particularly known for portraying antagonistic or strong character roles.

Filmography

Personal life

He had two daughters.

Death

In January 2025, Rangaraju was injured during a film shoot in Hyderabad. He later suffered a heart attack and passed away in Chennai on January 20, 2025, at age 70.

References