Ramesh Aravind aka Ramesh is a popular Kannada actor-director, considered as one of the most versatile actors in Kannada cinema.

After a degree in mechanical engineering from UVC College in Bangalore, his histrionic talent found expression in his early student days when he took part in many plays. The doyen of the Tamil film industry K Balachander discovered Ramesh's flair for acting and his immense potential as an artist. The Kannada film 'Sundara Swapnagalu' by the same director got Ramesh his debut.

After impressive performances in 'Panchamaveda', 'Srigandha' and 'Aragini', Ramesh had to spend quiet a few years in wilderness. In Telugu, he did some notable films that include Sathi leelavathi, Panchatantram, Golmaal, Little Soldiers, Rudraveena before foraying into Tamil with successful films like 'Keladi Kanmani' and 'Duet'. He has also acted in two Hindi films; Mumbai Express as the bucktoothed insurance agent and Aur Ek Prem Kahani in lead role.

Surprisingly, it was only after his success in Tamil films that the Kannada film producers noticed him.

With his brilliant performance in films like 'Anuraga Sangama', 'Ulta Palta', 'Tutta Mutta', 'Chandramukhi Pranasakhi', 'Gombe', 'Nammura Mandara Hoove', 'Hoomale', 'Deepavali' and 'Sneha Loka', he has been the favourite of Kannada moviegoers. He had nine films that ran for 100 days in a row, a record of sorts in the Kannada film industry.

He bagged the Best Actor Karnataka State award twice in 1997 for 'America! America!' and in 1999 for 'Hoomale'. He got the prestigious Filmfare award twice in 1997 for Amruthavarshini and in 1999 for Hoomale. Apart from these, he has got the Andhra State Nandi award for 'Little Soldiers'. Apart from these achievements, he has also written the story and screenplay for the film 'Hoomale', which got the National award for best Kannada film of that year.

Of late, he has turned to direction as well. His first directorial debut was Rama Shama Bhama with Kamal Haasan, Urvashi and Daisy Bopanna  was a super hit. His second directorial movie Satyavan Savithri did well too. His third directorial venture Accident released to rave reviews. Some of his other notable films include Roja, Jodi, Joke Falls, Snehaloka, Bisi Bisi, Mungarina Minchu, Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu, Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu, Apthamitra and Soundarya.

Ramesh married Archana on 7th July 1991 and has two children, Niharika and Arjun. Archana Ramesh heads Idea City which is into films, ads and television. His elder brother Sridhar runs a fabrication unit in Bangalore while his younger brother Suresh works for a multi national company. All the three brothers are mechanical engineers by qualification.

In addition to his manifold roles on and off-screen, Ramesh has been actively promoting various causes. Besides being a part of several HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns throughout Karnataka, he is the brand ambassador for CMCA (Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness) which aims at keeping Bangalore, Hubli and Mysore clean and green.

In addition to CMCA, Ramesh is also the brand ambassador for Manasa (home for mentally ill and destitute women) and Dignity Foundation which aims at graceful life for senior citizens.

As any Kannada filmgoer knows a “Ramesh Film” is always “A family entertainer” with no crudity or double meaning dialogues.