Shivaram

S. Shivaram (born 1938), popularly known simply as Shivaram or Shivaramanna, is an Indian actor, producer and director whose Kannada cinema career has spanned six decades. He has played roles including lead hero performances, character roles, comedic roles, as well as supporting parts. He teamed up with his elder brother, S. Ramanathan and produced several films under the name Rashi Brothers apart from directing Hrudaya Sangama in 1972. The brothers together produced few Bollywood films as well. As an actor, Shivaram has the distinction of working with many stalwart directors out of which his association with Puttanna Kanagal is much remembered.

Early life

Shivaram was born in a middle class Hindu Brahmin family in Choodasandra Village in Madras Presidency, a place bordering the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states. After having his primary education completed, he moved to Bangalore city along with his brother who was running a typewriting institute. Influenced by the theater screenings of Gubbi Veeranna, Shivaram developed a strong liking towards the film-making and acting. He began to act in several stage plays and migrated to cinema in 1958 assisting various directors such as Ku. Ra. Seetharama Sastry. He also worked as a camera assistant to the veteran cinematographer Boman D. Irani.