For those unfamiliar, Raju Talikote (originally Rajesaba Maktumasab Yankanchi) was a Kannada actor best known for his comedic roles. Born in 1962 (or 1963) in Udupi, Karnataka, he appeared in a wide variety of Kannada films. His parents were both theatre artists who ran a drama troupe called Shriguru Khasgateshwara Natya Sangha.
Raju began acting as a child, but had to leave school after the deaths of his parents. Despite facing many initial challenges, he continued his family’s theater legacy and built a strong reputation for his stagecraft. He made his debut in Kannada cinema with Hendathi Andare Hendathi and went on to act in several notable films, including Manasaare, Pancharangi, Jackie, Sugreeva, Appu and Pappu, Mallikarjuna, Lifeu Ishtene, Yash starrer Rajadhani, and many more.
Talikote also appeared as a contestant on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 7, hosted by Kichcha Sudeepa.
Recently, Raju’s son, Bharat, responded to his father’s passing and revealed that the actor had previously survived a heart attack but was unable to recover from this one. He added, “Our father had two wives, but all of us have grown up together in harmony.”
