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Devaraj Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth20 September 1953

Age70 Years

BirthplaceLingarajpuram, Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Mysore State, India

ProfessionTheatre Artist, Actor

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseChandralekha (former actor)

FamilySons: Prajwal Devaraj (b. 4 July 1987), Pranam Devaraj (b. 29 January 1988)

Devaraj Biography

Devaraj, known in Kannada cinema as the 'Dynamic Hero', is a veteran theatre artist and actor from Bengaluru with a career spanning stage and screen. He is

Early life and background

Ramachandrappa Devaraj was born on 20 September 1953 in Lingarajpuram, Bangalore (now Bengaluru), in the Mysore State of India. He grew up in Bengaluru and began working at the HMT watch factory in 1976 to help support his family. His father, Ramachandrappa, died when Devaraj was an infant; his mother is Krishnamma.

While at HMT, a senior colleague encouraged him to try theatre. Over roughly nine years at the factory Devaraj became involved in stage work and eventually left the job to pursue acting full time. He developed his craft with several respected theatre groups, including those led by R. Nagesh, B. Jayashree (Spandana), and Shankar Nag (Sanket).

Career

Devaraj transitioned from theatre to film in the 1980s, making his Kannada film debut in Thrishula (1985) in the role of Vinod. He built a prolific career in Kannada cinema, appearing in more than 200 films across a wide range of roles. Early recognition came with his work in Aaganthuka (1987), for which he received the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In the following years Devaraj continued to take on challenging parts. He won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for Veerappan (1991), and the same year he earned a Nandi Award for Best Villain for Yerra Mandaram. His filmography includes titles such as Hathya Kaanda (1989), Killer Diary (1995), Mukunda Murari (2016), Yajamana (2019) and Raja Marthanda (2023). For his performance in Yajamana he was awarded the 9th SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2019.

Devaraj has also worked in other South Indian film industries. He made appearances in Telugu films beginning with 20va Sathabdam (1990) and has been seen in notable Telugu productions including Yerra Mandaram (1991), Samarasimha Reddy (1999), Raam (2006), Evadaithe Nakenti (2007) and Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023), in which he played the role of Om.

His work in Tamil cinema includes supporting roles in films such as Pillaikkaga (1988), Malaikottai (2007), Villu (2009) and NGK (2019). Across stage and screen Devaraj has been recognized for both lead and character roles and remains a familiar presence in Kannada films.

Public profile

Professionally known as Devaraj and by the nickname Devu, he is often called the 'Dynamic Hero' in the Kannada film industry. He stands approximately 173 cm tall and is described as having light brown eyes and brown hair. He holds Indian nationality and follows Hinduism.

Personal life

Devaraj married Chandralekha, a former actor, on 27 June 1986. The couple has two sons, Prajwal Devaraj (born 4 July 1987) and Pranam Devaraj (born 29 January 1988), both of whom have followed him into acting.

Latest updates

Into the 2020s Devaraj remained active in cinema, with recent credits spanning Kannada and Telugu films. He appeared in the 2019 film Yajamana and the 2023 releases Raja Marthanda (Kannada) and Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (Telugu).
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Recent Work

Yajamana

Kannada film; earned the 9th SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2019

2019
Raja Marthanda

Kannada film credit listed among his recent work

2023
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire

Telugu film in which he played the role of Om

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Debuted in Kannada cinema with Thrishula (1985)
  2. Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Aaganthuka (1987)
  3. Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for Veerappan (1991)
  4. Nandi Award for Best Villain for Yerra Mandaram (1991)
  5. SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor for Yajamana (2019)
  6. Acted in more than 200 Kannada films
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Devaraj born?

20 September 1953

What is Devaraj known for?

Theatre Artist, Actor

What is Devaraj’s marital status?

Married

Who is Devaraj married to?

Chandralekha (former actor)