Thoogudeepa Srinivas
**Thoogudeepa Srinivas** (born Mysore Srinivas, April 17, 1943 – October 16, 1995) was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Kannada cinema. Spanning nearly three decades and appearing in over 200 films, he was one of Sandalwood's most iconic and menacing antagonists, celebrated for his intense screen presence, baritone dialogue delivery, and sharp, calculating villainous personas. Born in Mysuru, he developed a deep passion for theatre during his school days, regularly participating in stage plays. During a college production, he caught the attention of noted theatre and cinema artist M. P. Shankar, who brought him into his theatre troupe. This prompted Srinivas to halt his science degree at St. Philomena's College to pursue acting full-time. He made his cinematic breakthrough in K. S. L. Swamy's 1966 film *Thoogudeepa*. The film's critical and commercial success permanently attached the movie's title to his name, establishing his professional identity as Thoogudeepa Srinivas. Alongside fellow stalwarts like Vajramuni and Dheerendra Gopal, he formed the core pantheon of Kannada cinema's greatest villains throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Srinivas shared an enduring screen rivalry with Dr. Rajkumar, clashing with the superstar in dozens of landmark hits such as *Mayor Muthanna* (1969), *Sipayi Ramu* (1971), *Gandhada Gudi* (1973), *Bangaarada Panjara* (1974), *Mayura* (1975), *Babruvahana* (1977), *Operation Diamond Racket* (1978), *Vasantha Geetha* (1980), *Kaviratna Kalidasa* (1983), and *Aakasmika* (1993). He also stood out as a formidable adversary against Vishnuvardhan, Shankar Nag, and Ambareesh in classics like *Auto Raja* (1980), *Sahasa Simha* (1982), and *Anjada Gandu* (1988). Beyond negative roles, he showcased his dramatic range in pivotal character parts, notably leading the cast in *Ramapurada Ravana* (1984). Married to Meena in 1973, his cinematic legacy continues through his sons: prominent Kannada film star Darshan and filmmaker Dinakar Thoogudeepa. Srinivas passed away in October 1995 at the age of 52, leaving behind an indelible mark on Kannada commercial cinema.
Known For
Credits
- 1995 · Savyasachi as
- 1994 · Mutthanna as
- 1993 · Akasmika as Kaatayya "Kaatesh"
- 1993 · Anuragada Alegalu as
- 1993 · Kollura Sri Mookambika as
- 1993 · Kalyana Rekhe as
- 1992 · Bharjari Gandu as
- 1992 · Aathma Bandhana as
- 1992 · Jeevana Chaithra as Narasimha Rao
- 1991 · Shanti Kranti as
- 1991 · Veerappan as
- 1991 · Aralida Hoovugalu as
- 1990 · Ekalavya as
- 1989 · Ade Raaga Ade Haadu as
- 1989 · Nanjundi Kalyana as
- 1989 · Hongkongnalli Agent Amar as
- 1988 · Arjun as
- 1988 · Ranaranga as Contractor 'Khota Note' Nagaraj
- 1988 · Chiranjeevi Sudhakar as
- 1988 · Anjada Gandu as Major Rudrappa
- 1988 · Ramanna Shamanna as
- 1988 · Vijaya Khadga as
- 1987 · Bedi as
- 1987 · Inspector Kranthikumar as
- 1987 · Anthima Theerpu as
- 1986 · Africadalli Sheela as
- 1986 · Bete as
- 1986 · Matthondu Charithre as
- 1986 · Guri as Vishwanath
- 1986 · Anand as Prajakoogu Editor Narahari
- 1986 · Sathkara as
- 1986 · Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma as
- 1986 · Karna as
- 1985 · Giri Baale as
- 1985 · Jwalamukhi as Ratan Lal
- 1985 · Devara Mane as
- 1985 · Shabash Vikram as
- 1984 · Ramapurada Ravana as Rudra
- 1984 · Mooru Janma as
- 1984 · Kalinga Sarpa as
- 1984 · Rowdy Raja as
- 1984 · Sidilu as
- 1984 · Prachanda Kulla as
- 1984 · Yaarivanu as
- 1983 · Bhakta Prahlada as Hiranyaksha
- 1983 · Benkiya Bale as
- 1983 · Maththe Vasantha as
- 1983 · Chakravyuha as Seetharam
- 1983 · Aasha as
- 1983 · Eradu Nakshatragalu as
- 1982 · Khadeema Kallaru as
- 1982 · Chalisuva Modagalu as Sheela's father
- 1982 · Jimmy Gallu as
- 1982 · Haalu Jenu as Baddi Basappa
- 1982 · Sahasa Simha as Peter/Robert
- 1981 · Nee Nanna Gellalare as
- 1980 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1980 · Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu as
- 1980 · Auto Raja as Bhaskar Rao
- 1980 · Kulla Kulli as Gym Trainer
- 1980 · Kalinga as
- 1980 · Rama Parushurama as
- 1980 · Point Parimala as Dharmaprakash Purushottam Rao
- 1980 · Vasantha Geetha as
- 1979 · Naanobba Kalla as Joginder
- 1979 · Vijay Vikram as
- 1979 · Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu as Harish
- 1979 · Huliya Halina Mevu as Nadathakka Subbaiah
- 1979 · Seetha Ramu as
- 1978 · Singaporenalli Raja Kulla as Junie
- 1978 · Thaayige Thakka Maga as Robert
- 1978 · Vasantha Lakshmi as Rowdy Chennayya
- 1978 · Operation Diamond Racket as Vikram Singh
- 1978 · Shankar Guru as Madan Lal
- 1977 · Kittu Puttu as Kittu & Puttu's Uncle
- 1977 · Olavu Geluvu as Guest Appearance
- 1977 · Banashankari as
- 1977 · Sanaadi Appanna as Shivaraya
- 1977 · Girikanye as Choma
- 1977 · Bhaagyavantharu as Gundu Rao
- 1977 · Babruvahana as Thakshaka
- 1976 · Aparadhi as Tony
- 1976 · Badavara Bandhu as Photographer
- 1976 · Kanasu Nanasu as
- 1976 · Raja Nanna Raja as Balarama
- 1976 · Bahaddur Gandu as Senapathi
- 1976 · Premada Kanike as Ashok
- 1975 · Trimurthy as Duplicate Sridhar/Kamalakar
- 1975 · Mayura as Kotwal
- 1975 · Naga Kanye as
- 1975 · Kalla Kulla as Sarvottama
- 1975 · Daari Thappida Maga as
- 1974 · Sri Srinivasa Kalyana as Ravana
- 1974 · Bhaktha Kumbara as
- 1974 · Bangarada Panjara as
- 1973 · Mooruvare Vajragalu as Bhima
- 1973 · Gandhada Gudi as Kunju Ahmed
- 1973 · Bidugade as Muniya
- 1973 · Bangarada Kalla as
- 1973 · Devaru Kotta Thangi as
- 1972 · Bhale Huchcha as Shivakumar
- 1972 · Sipayi Ramu as Mangal Singh
- 1971 · Sri Krishna Rukmini Sathyabhama as Rukmi
- 1969 · Mayor Muthanna as Sudhakar Rao
- 1967 · Lagnapathrike as
- 1966 · Thoogudeepa as