Happy Birthday, Ramesh Aravind! Film must-watch films of the versatile actor on OTT

Ramesh Aravind's 37-year-long (and counting) career has seen him play roles of myriad kinds and that, too, across multiple Indian languages. Unlike his contemporaries, it is safe to say that he did not mind taking the path less trodden and nor did he have the inclination to play vibrant and relatable characters simultaneously. Sure, he was (and still is) extremely popular as the 'everyday charmer' but some of his best performances to date involve morally questionable and dicey characters that not many of his generation were comfortable playing. 

So, on the occasion of Ramesh Aravind's 59th birthday, we take a look at some of his best roles to date that range from mad comedy capers to intense dramas and everything in between. Each of these films is available on OTT meaning that if you are looking to revisit your favourite film of his, you are only a click away! Here we go:

Amrutha Varshini (1997)

The 1990s was a particularly bright phase for Kannada Cinema and one of the main reasons for this is the presence of Ramesh Aravind in the mix. Dinesh Babu's 1997 film seemingly borrows its ethos from Patricia Highsmith's 'Tom Ripley' novels and tells a twisted tale of love and jealousy that looks like a simple romance drama on the surface. Ramesh Aravind is particularly captivating in this mystery drama and one might even reckon that it's one of his top three performances to date. Suhasini Maniratnam and Sarathababu, too, star in the film.

Where to watch: Zee 5

America! America!! (1997)

Although Ramesh Aravind was categorised as an actor who fitted best in romance and drama, he was able to lend a unique edge to each of his films through his compelling performances. One such is Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar's America!America!! wherein he plays Surya, a young man who's in love with his childhood friend Bhoomi (Hema Panchamukhi). The catch, though, is that Bhoomi gets married to their mutual best friend Shashank and the couple moves to America to start a new life. Things take an interesting turn when Surya visits them in their new home and soon enough, the dynamics of this unique relationship begin to change under the new circumstances.

Where to watch: Zee 5

Sathi Leelavathi (1995)

If Amrutha Varshini and America! America!! proved just how effective Ramesh Aravind could be in dramas, Balu Mahendra's 1995 Tamil film reveals his impeccable comic timing. He plays Arun, a married man who's having an affair with a much younger Priya, with great ease in the film and much of its essence lies in the camaraderie he shares with his co-stars Kamal Haasan, Kalpana, Heera and other cast members. Sathi Leelavathi is by all means a cult classic today and Ramesh Aravind himself remade the film about a decade later in Kannada as Rama Shama Bhama.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu (2001)

Rajendra Singh Babu's super popular comedy film presents Ramesh Aravind in a role that many imagined him to pull off but the actor does the job with great flair and candour. Joined by S. Narayan, Mohan, Ananth Nag, Umashree, Bhavana and others, Ramesh Aravind is extremely funny and entertaining as Rammi and his fans would reckon that it's one of his best roles so far.

Where to watch: YouTube

Shivaji Surathkal: The Case of Ranagiri Rahasya (2020)

Akash Srivatsa's 2020 film saw Ramesh Aravind in the role of a sharp-witted, fourth-wall-breaking police officer who has a reputation for solving the most convoluted crimes with his unorthodox ways. As the titular character, Ramesh Aravind imbued the role with a lot of charisma and charm and managed to elevate the film with his performance - it also helps that Shivaji Surathkal boats an intriguing plot that keeps us guessing throughout.