[6] His subsequent films such as Ranadheera (1988), Anjada Gandu (1988), Yuddha Kanda (1989), Ramachaari (1991), Mane Devru (1993), Putnanja (1995), Sipayi (1996), Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998), Preethsod Thappa (1998), Kanasugara (2001), Ekangi (2002), Malla (2004), Drishya (2014) among others have been successful at the box office and made him one of the most prominent personalities in Kannada cinema.

[10][11] Ravichandran made his first on screen appearance as child actor in Dhoomakethu and Kula Gourava (1971) - both starring Dr. Rajkumar, the latter also being his father's first film as an independent producer.

Following this, he began to act as well as co-produce along with his father for the films such as Khadeema Kallaru (1982), Chakravyuha (1983) and its Hindi remake Inquilaab (1984) starring Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi in lead roles.

[13] He continued to enact and co-produce films such as Savira Sullu and Naanu Nanna Hendthi through which his long association with director D. Rajendra Babu started.

[17] Besides directing, producing and scripting, Ravichandran enacted in the lead role along with Bollywood actress-model Juhi Chawla, who delivered her first hit in her career.

In 1988, Ravichandran appeared in Rajachandra's ensemble drama Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara alongside Anant Nag and Ambarish where he played the role of Lawyer Narayan.

The same year he reunited with Juhi Chawla and directed the film Kindari Jogi which could not replicate the success of Premaloka.

Throughout the 1990s, Ravichandran expanded his career horizons by collaborating with different directors and most of the films released in this decade had musical score by Hamsalekha.

His association with D. Rajendra Babu is very successful, resulting in several hits, including Naanu Nanna Hendthi (1985), Ramachaari (1991), Sriramachandra (1992), Annayya (1993) and Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998).

[25] Upon its release, the film was panned by critics and was declared as a disaster at the box office, earning only Rs.8 crore worldwide.

To make up for this huge loss, he began to act in films directed by others such as Ramachaari (1991), Halli Meshtru (1992), Chikkejamanru (1992), Gadibidi Ganda (1993), Annayya (1993).

He returned to direction with films Mane Devru (1993), Chinna (1994), Putnanja (1995), Sipayi (1996), Kalavida (1997), Preethsod Thappa (1998) and found success again.

Throughout the 1990s, Ravichandran paired up with actresses like Meena, Gouthami, Madhoo, Sukanya, Bhanupriya, Roja, Ramya Krishna, Yamuna, Kasthuri, Heera, Nagma and Shilpa Shetty, who made their debut in Kannada cinema.

In the year 2000, he directed and appeared in O Nanna Nalle, a remake of Tamil film Thulladha Manamum Thullum, alongside Isha Koppikar.

Shot inside a massive glass mansion built at a cost of Rs.80 lakh, the film promised to be a unique take on loneliness.

[30][31][32][33][34] This critical acclaim continued with his next release, Drishya (2014), a remake of Malayalam film Drishyam, where he played the role portrayed by Mohanlal in the original version.

Upon release, the performances of Ravichandran, Navya Nair and Asha Sarath received overwhelmingly positive reviews, along with the film's screenplay.

[38] Later in the year, he appeared in the successful film Mungaru Male 2 directed by Preetham Gubbi and played the role of Ganesh's father.

[45][46] A critic from Bangalore Mirror reviewed expressing "Ravichandran’s fans will enjoy this flick as he is the hero as well as the villain and also as crazy as they love him to be".