Raaghav

Venkataraghavan Ranganathan (born 9 April 1974), known professionally as Raaghav, is an Indian actor, television personality, music composer, and director primarily active in the Tamil entertainment industry.^[1][2] A native of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, he initially pursued a career in software engineering after earning a gold medal in engineering from Anna University, Chennai, and completing a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.^[2][3] Raaghav entered the media landscape as a music composer and television host, notably presenting music programs such as Padalam Vaanga on Podhigai TV.^[2] He rose to prominence through dance reality shows, including Jodi No. 1 (Season 1) on STAR Vijay and Maanada Mayilada, where he partnered with Preetha Subramanian and finished as runners-up, winning ₹300,000.^[2] The couple, who met on these programs, married and have since collaborated professionally, including in content creation on platforms like YouTube.^[4] In film, Raaghav began with supporting roles, such as the "Bad Boy Next Door" in the blockbuster Enthiran (2010) and a common man in Velayudham (2011), before making his lead debut as Velu in the horror thriller Nanjupuram (2011), which he also composed music for.^[5][2] His subsequent acting credits include the lead role of Avinash Ravichander in Ticket (2021).^[5] Beyond acting, he has directed and written projects, including his directorial debut with the mystery thriller Knock Knock (2025), maintaining a multifaceted presence in Tamil media while balancing family life with his wife Preetha, an actress and dancer, and their daughter Dhanisshaa, born in 2021.^[4][6][7]

Early life and education

Birth and family background

Venkataraghavan Ranganathan, professionally known as Raaghav, was born on 9 April 1974 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.^[1][8] He spent his early childhood in Madurai, a city renowned for its historical and cultural significance in Tamil heritage, which provided a vibrant backdrop for his formative years.^[1][9] Limited public information is available regarding his parents and siblings.^[2]

Academic career

Raaghav earned his bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) in Chennai, where he graduated as a university gold medalist in 1994.^[10] He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies, completing a Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.^[3] After returning to Chennai, Raaghav began his professional career as a software engineer, working in the information technology sector for several years before pivoting to the entertainment industry.^[11]

Personal life

Marriage to Preetha

Raaghav met Preetha Subramanian, an actress and dancer known for her roles in Tamil television serials such as Sahana, Arasi, and Pasamalar, while working together on the film Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukey! in 2002.^[4][12] Their professional collaboration sparked a romantic relationship, leading them to begin dating during the production.^[13] The couple married later that year in a private ceremony, marking the start of their shared life in the entertainment industry. Preetha's background as a performer complemented Raaghav's emerging career in acting and music composition, allowing them to navigate early challenges together.^[13] In their early marital years, Raaghav and Preetha integrated their personal partnership with professional endeavors, frequently appearing together in television formats that highlighted their on-screen chemistry. These joint appearances, including dance reality shows, not only boosted their visibility but also reinforced their bond as a couple in the public eye.^[14]

Family and children

Raaghav and his wife Preetha welcomed their daughter, Dhanisshaa, around 2012.^[15] The couple maintained privacy regarding their family for over a decade before introducing Dhanisshaa to the public in February 2021, when they shared a family photograph on social media depicting the three of them together.^[4] The family, residing in Tamil Nadu, emphasizes work-life balance through shared moments such as public appearances and glimpses into their daily life, including family-oriented activities that highlight their close-knit bond. Preetha, in addition to her entertainment career, engages in content creation and entrepreneurial ventures as part of the family unit's lifestyle.^[13]

Career

Entry into entertainment

After completing his master's degree in computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Raaghav returned to Chennai and embarked on a career as a software engineer.^[9] Despite the stability of this profession, his deep-seated passion for media and performance drove him to pivot toward entertainment around 2001, leaving behind his engineering role to explore acting and anchoring opportunities in Tamil Nadu's burgeoning television industry.^[9] Raaghav's formal entry into the field came with his debut in the Tamil TV serial Anni in 2001, where he portrayed a negative character, marking his initial foray into scripted roles.^[16] This shift required him to navigate the competitive landscape of Chennai's entertainment scene, leveraging his technical background while building networks essential for securing auditions and early projects.^[9] His engineering foundation, including a gold medal from the College of Engineering, Guindy, provided a disciplined approach that aided his adaptation to the demands of media production.^[17]

Television work

Raaghav's television career encompasses a range of roles in Tamil serials, where he portrayed characters that highlighted his acting range from leads in early productions to supporting parts in later ones. He debuted in the industry with the serial Anni in 2001, establishing himself as a promising talent on the small screen. In 2020, he played the supporting role of JK in the family drama Sembaruthi on Zee Tamil (2017–2022), contributing to the show's exploration of interpersonal conflicts and family dynamics through his nuanced performance.^[16][4] In 2022, he starred in the serial Sevvanthi on Zee Tamil.^[16] He also appeared in a cameo role as Surya in Kannedhirey Thondrinal on Kalaignar TV (2022–present). Additionally, in 2023, he portrayed Allwyn Chellapan in the ZEE5 web series Oru Kodai Murder Mystery.^[18] Raaghav further expanded his presence through dance and reality television, partnering with his wife Preetha in competitive formats that showcased their synchronized performances and on-screen rapport. In 2006, they participated in Jodi No.1 (Season 1) on Star Vijay, advancing to the finals among the top three couples and earning recognition for their energetic routines.^[19] The following year, in 2007, they competed in Maanada Mayilada season 1 on Kalaignar TV, securing the first runner-up position and praise for their expressive choreography across various music rounds.^[4] Beyond acting and dancing, Raaghav has served as a host in multiple Tamil television programs, particularly music-based shows, where his engaging demeanor and quick wit captivated viewers. Notable among these is his anchoring role in Padalam Vaanga on Podhigai TV, which allowed him to interact dynamically with contestants and audiences, underscoring his charismatic presence in live formats.^[2]

Film roles

Raaghav made his film debut with a minor role in the Tamil romantic musical Yaai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke! (2002), directed by Vasanth, where he also contributed as a composer for the song "Oru Kaadhal Vandhucho."^[20] His breakthrough in cinema came with a supporting role as a rowdy character, often referred to as the "Bad Boy Next Door," in the blockbuster science fiction film Enthiran (2010), directed by S. Shankar and starring Rajinikanth.^[21] This appearance marked a significant step in his acting career, gaining visibility in a high-profile production that became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films. Following this, Raaghav transitioned to a lead role as Velu, a forward-thinking youngster fighting village superstitions, in Nanjupuram (2011), which he co-produced under his home banner alongside his wife Preetha.^[22] In 2021, he took on the lead role of Avinash Ravichander in Ticket, which he also wrote and directed.^[23] That same year, he starred as a central character in the horror drama V, directed by Da Vinci Saravanan, in a narrative centered on psychological tension and supernatural elements.^[24] Throughout his film career, he has primarily taken on supporting or antagonistic roles in Tamil cinema, such as henchmen or secondary figures in action and drama genres, allowing him to showcase versatility while occasionally leading smaller productions. As of 2025, he is directing and starring in the upcoming mystery thriller Knock Knock.^[7]

Music composition

Raaghav entered the field of music composition early in his career, contributing to the soundtrack of the 2002 Tamil romantic musical film Yaai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke!. He composed the track "Oru Kadhal Vandhucho" in collaboration with Raja, marking his debut as a composer.^[25] The song, featuring lyrics by Pa. Vijay and vocals by Shankar Mahadevan, blended contemporary rhythms with melodic elements, reflecting Raaghav's initial foray into film music while he was establishing himself as an actor.^[26] A significant milestone in Raaghav's composing career came with the 2011 thriller Nanjupuram, where he handled the entire soundtrack's composition, production, and several vocal performances. Released as a six-track EP, the album included energetic numbers like "The Warriors Rap," which he sang solo, and collaborative pieces such as "Thelaga Kottudhamma" with Archith and his wife Preetha S., alongside soulful tracks like "Yaavarum" and "Anbe Unna."^[27] This project showcased his versatility in fusing rap, folk influences, and emotional ballads, tailored to the film's intense narrative. Beyond these film contributions, Raaghav has occasionally lent his voice to television appearances and independent endeavors, though specific composing credits in TV serials or standalone releases remain limited as of 2025. His work in Nanjupuram stands as his most comprehensive musical output, highlighting a shift toward multifaceted creative roles in entertainment.^[20]

Filmography

Feature films

Raaghav began his acting career in feature films with minor roles before progressing to more prominent parts.

• Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke! (2002): Uncredited role.^[2]
• Vattaram (2006): Supporting actor.^[1]
• Jerry (2006): Gausik, supporting actor.^[28]
• Satham Podathey (2007): Bhanumathy's brother, supporting actor.^[29]
• Silambattam (2008): Veeraiyan's son, supporting actor.^[29]
• Enthiran (2010): Bad Boy Next Door, supporting actor.^[5]
• Nanjupuram (2011): Velu, lead actor.^[5]
• Velayudham (2011): Jai, supporting actor.^[5]
• Kalyana Samayal Saadham (2013): Gautham, supporting actor.^[28]
• Naan Rajavaga Pogiren (2013): Supporting actor.^[28]
• Ticket (2021): Avinash Ravichander, lead actor.^[5]
• V (2021): Madhav, lead actor.^[24]
• Operation JuJuPi (2021): Supporting actor.^[5]
• Knock Knock (2025): Lead actor.^[30]

As music composer

Raaghav debuted as a music composer in the Tamil film industry with the song "Kaadhal Vanthucho" from Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke! (2002), which he composed alongside Raja and featuring vocals by Shankar Mahadevan.^[31] In 2011, Raaghav composed the full original soundtrack for the thriller film Nanjupuram, the album includes six tracks blending rap, folk, and melodic elements.^[32] He additionally provided vocals for multiple songs on the soundtrack, including "The Warriors Rap," "Thelaga Kottudhamma" (with Archith and Preetha S.), "Oorula Unakkoru Medai" (with Pushpavanam Kuppusamy), and "Yennatuma Vaanathula."

Television

Serials

Raaghav's television career in scripted serials began with a role in the family drama Anni, which aired on Sun TV starting in 2001.^[4] In 2020, he took on a supporting antagonist role as JK in the popular family drama Sembaruthi on Zee Tamil, appearing in episodes that highlighted business rivalries and family conflicts.^[4] Additional serial appearances include: These roles span family dramas, thrillers, and mythological narratives, showcasing his versatility in Tamil television through 2025.

Reality and dance shows

Raaghav gained early prominence in the Tamil television industry through his participation in dance-based reality competitions alongside his wife, Preetha Subramanian. Their joint appearances showcased their synchronized performances and chemistry, contributing to their popularity as a celebrity couple.^[4] In 2006, Raaghav and Preetha competed as contestants in the inaugural season of Jodi No.1, a dance reality show on Star Vijay that featured real-life couples performing various routines. They reached the finals and secured the first runner-up position, highlighting their skills in contemporary and traditional dance forms.^[4][19] The following year, in 2007, the couple participated in the first season of Maanada Mayilada on Kalaignar TV, another prominent dance competition emphasizing rhythmic and expressive choreography. Once again, Raaghav and Preetha earned the first runner-up spot, earning praise from judges for their energetic performances and partnership.^[4][38]