Raadhika Sarathkumar is an Indian actress, film producer, entrepreneur, and politician, who predominantly works in Tamil TV serials & films. She has worked in various languages including Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada. She is the founder of the film production company Radaan Mediaworks in Chennai.
Wiki/Biography
Raadhika Sarathkumar also spelt as Radikaa Sarathkumar was born on Wednesday, 21 August 1963 (age 59 years; as of 2022) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Her family hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her zodiac sign is Leo.
Raadhika Sarathkumar’s childhood picture with her mother
She did her schooling at Good Shepherd Convent, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
She belongs to a Tamilian family.
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan, was an Indian actor and politician. Her mother, Geetha, is a Sri Lankan, and she was the fifth wife of her father after Saraswathi, Dhanalakshmi, Premavathi, and Jayammal. Her sister, Nirosha aka Niroja, is an Indian film & TV actress. She has two younger brothers named M. R. Radha Rajoo and M. R. Radha Mohan. From her stepmother Saraswathi, she has a brother named M. R. R. Vasu (actor). From her stepmother Dhanalakshmi, she has three sisters named Rathikala, Rashya, & Rani, and a brother named Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan Ravi (politician and actor). From her stepmother Jaya, she has three sisters named Ganavalli, Kasturi, and Rajeswari.
A photo of Raadhika Sarathkumar’s father
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her mother Geetha
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her husband R. Sarathkumar
Raadhika Sarathkumar’s half-brother M. R. R. Vasu
Raadhika Sarathkumar’s half-brother Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan Ravi
Raadhika Sarathkumar’s father
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her sister, Nirosha
Husband & Children
Pratap Pothen
In 1985, she got married to the South Indian actor, scriptwriter, producer, and filmmaker. The couple got divorced in 1986.
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her ex-husband Pratap Pothen
Richard Hardy
In 1990, she got married to a British citizen named Richard Hardy. The couple has a daughter named Rayanne Hardy who is married to the Indian cricketer Abhimanyu Mithun. However, Richard did not last long, and within two years of their marriage, the couple got divorced.
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her husband, R. Sarathkumar, and daughter, Rayanne Hardy
R. Sarathkumar
In 2001, she got married to a South Indian actor and politician. R. Sarathkumar. Sarathkumar was earlier married to Chaya Devi. Sarathkumar has two daughters with Chaya named Varalaxmi (actor) and Pooja. In an interview, while talking about getting married to Sarathkumar, Raadhika said,
Sarath and I have been friends for a really long time. I used to be his agony aunt. We used to talk a lot, share stories. We used to go out and we became close. My mother said marrying him was a good idea, and that it will provide security to Rayane too. At some point, it worked out such that I was thinking, why not?”
Raadhika Sarathkumar’s husband, R. Sarathkumar, and stepdaughter Pooja
Raadhika Sarathkumar’s husband, R. Sarathkumar, and stepdaughter Varalaxmi
Raadhika has a son with Sarathkumar, Rahul Sarathkumar, who was born in 2004.
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her husband, R. Sarathkumar, and son, Rahul
Address
R. Sarathkumar, Kalyani Nagar, Kottivakkam, Chennai- 600 041
Career
Actor
Film
Tamil
In 1978, Raadhika made her debut as an actor with the Tamil film ‘Kizhakke Pogum Rail’ in which she played the role of Panchaali.
A still of Raadhika Sarathkumar as Panchaali from the 1978 Tamil film ‘Kizhakke Pogum Rail’
She appeared in many popular Tamil films like ‘Kannitheevu’ (1981), ‘Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal’ (1982), ‘Raja Rishi’ (1985), ‘Vaanam Kottatum’ (2020), ‘Jail’ (2021), and ‘Pattathu Arasan’ (2022).
A still of Raadhika Sarathkumar from the film Raja Rishi
Telugu
In 1981, Raadhika made her Telugu film debut with ‘Nyayam Kavali’ in which she played the role of Bharathi Devi.
‘Nyayam Kavali’ (1981)
From 1981 to 1989, she appeared in more than 120 Telugu films. Some of her popular Telugu films from that era are ‘Bezawada Bebbuli’ (1983), ‘Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu’ (1982), ‘Abhilasha’ (1983), ‘Raja the Great’ (2017), and ‘Krishna Vrinda Vihari’ (2022).
‘Abhilasha’ (1983)
Hindi
Raadhika made her Bollywood debut in 1979 with the film ‘Hamaare Tumhare’ in which she played the role of Sonia.
Hamaare Tumhare
Some of the Hindi films in which she worked as an actress include ‘Naseeb Apna Apna’ (1986), ‘Aaj Ka Arjun’ (1990), ‘Himmatwala’ (1998), and ‘Lal Baadshah’ (1999).
‘Naseeb Apna Apna’ (1986)
Malayalam
In 1977, she made her Malayalam debut with the film ‘Swarna Medal’ in which she played a supporting role.
‘Swarna Medal’ (1977)
She has appeared in a few more Malayalam films like ‘Justice Raja’ (1983), ‘Makan Ente Makan’ (1985), ‘Arthana’ (1993), ‘Ramaleela’ (2017), and ‘Ittymaani: Made in China’ (2019).
‘Ramaleela’ (2017)
Kannada
Raadhika made her Kannada film debut with the 1983 film ‘Prachanda Kulla’ as Pushpa.
‘Prachanda Kulla’ (1983)
Some of her other Kannada films are ‘Jeevana Chakra’ (1985), ‘Sathyam Shivam Sundaram’ (1987), and ‘Nagini’ (1991).
‘Jeevana Chakra’ (1985)
TV Serial
Tamil
In 1991, she made her TV debut with the Tamil TV serial ‘Penn’ in which she played the role of Hema. The serial was aired on DD Madras.
A still of Raadhika Sarathkumar from the TV serial ‘Penn’
Some of her other Tamil TV serials are ‘Naalavathu Mudichu’ (1997; DD Madras), ‘Annamalai’ (2002; Sun TV), ‘Chellamay’ (2009; Sun TV), ‘Vaani Rani’ (2013; Sun TV), and ‘Ponni C/O Rani’ (2022; Kalaignar TV).
‘Ponni C/O Rani’ (2022)
Telugu
In 1998, Raadhika made her Telugu TV debut with the TV serial ‘Idhi Katha Kadu,’ aired on ETV.
‘Idhi Katha Kadu’ (1998)
She has also acted in the Telugu TV serials ‘Ammayi Kaapuram’ (2007; Gemini TV) and ‘No. 23 Mahalakshmi Nivasam’ (2010; Gemini TV).
‘No.23 Mahalakshmi Nivasam’ (2010)
Reality Shows
Tamil
Raadhika has appeared as a host, contestant, and guest in various Tamil reality TV shows. She has hosted TV shows like ‘Thangavettai’ (2007; Sun TV) and ‘Kodeeswari’ (2019; Colors Tamil).
‘Kodeeswari’ (2019)
In 2012, she appeared as a contestant in Sun TV’s reality show ‘Kaiyil Oru Kodi – Are You Ready?.’ She has also appeared as a guest in the Tamil talk shows ‘Koffee with DD’ (2014; Star Vijay) and ‘Natchathira Jodi’ (2020; Sun TV).
Telugu
In 2007, she hosted the Telugu TV show ‘Bangaram Mee Kosam,’ which was aired on Gemini TV.
‘Bangaram Mee Kosam’ (2007)
She has also appeared as a guest in the Telugu TV shows ‘Alitho Saradaga’ (2020; ETV), ‘Unstoppable With NBK Season 2’ (2022; Aha Telugu).
‘Unstoppable With NBK Season 2’ (2022)
Web Series
In 2022, she made her web series debut with the Telugu web series ‘Gaalivaana’ (ZEE5) in which she played the role of Saraswathi.
Gaalivaana web series
Dubbing Artist
She has also worked as a dubbing artist in many Tamil films like ‘Muthal Mariyathai’ (1985), ‘Kadalora Kavithaigal’ (1986), ‘Inaindha Kaigal’ (1990), and ‘Karuthamma’ (1994).
Other Work
In 1988, she started a proprietary business Radaan Mediaworks which was converted into a corporate entity in 1999 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She has worked as a director in the Tamil TV serial ‘Naalavathu Mudichu’ (1997; aired on DD). She also wrote the screenplay of the serial. In 1999, she directed a Tamil telefilm ‘Siragugal’ (aired on Sun TV) which she played the role of Valli.
Politician
In May 2006, Raadhika, along with her husband, joined the South Indian political party AIADMK under the leadership of the then party’s chief J. Jayalalithaa. However, on 18 October 2006, she was expelled from the party for acting against the party’s interests. In an interview, while talking about being expelled, Raadhika said,
I am surprised that I have been expelled from the party. In reality, I am not even a member of the AIADMK. I was actually shocked when she (Ms Jayalalithaa) gave the card to me. However, out of respect for my husband and Jayalalithaa, I accepted it. But I am not a member of the AIADMK or any party for that matter. I am not into politics.”
Apparently, she was expelled from AIADMK as she once campaigned for the DMK during the 1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. Talking about it in an interview, she said,
Knowing the family, they requested me to campaign for the party and I did that. But other than that, I was not actively involved in politics.”
In 2007, she joined her husband’s political party All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi as vice president.
Controversies
Sentenced to Jail for One Year
In 2021, Raadhika Sarathkumar was sentenced to one year in jail in a cheque bounce case. A complaint was filed against Raadhika and her husband in a local police station by the officials of Radiant Group from whom Raadhika and her husband took a loan of Rs 50 lakh in 2015. The couple did not repay the loan and issued 5 undated cheques of Rs 10 lakh each, which got bounced. In 2018, the Radiant Group filed a cheque bounce case against the couple. In 2019, the Madras High Court denied cancelling the criminal proceedings against Raadhika and her husband. The court even directed a fast-track court in Saidapet, Chennai, to complete the proceedings of the case within 6 months. In April 2021, the court sentenced Raadhika and her husband to jail for one year, and also imposed a fine of Rs. 5 crores on the couple.
Criticised for Misrepresenting #MeToo Movement
In October 2018, she was accused of wrongly portraying the role of a #MeToo victim in the 2013 TV series ‘Vani Rani.’ In the episode, she was seen using the #MeToo movement as a blackmailing tactic. She then made a tweet in which she talked about the role in the serial. She tweeted,
I have been in this industry for a long time and stood up for everyone’s rights, specially when it concerned women, which everyone in the industry know. If you have any clarification’s on the content of above mentioned serial, pls feel free to meet me in my office.”
Awards
National Film Awards
- 1985: Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film as a Producer for the Tamil film Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai
Filmfare Awards South
- 1981: Best Actress-Telugu for Nyayam Kavali
- 1986: Best Actress-Tamil for Dharma Devathai
- 1988: Best Actress-Tamil for Needhikku Thandanai
- 1990: Best Actress- Tamil for Keladi Kanmani
- 2014: Lifetime Achievement Award – South for Overall Contribution to Tamil Cinema
- 2016: Best Supporting Actress for Tamil film Thanga Magan
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her Filmfare Award
Nandi Awards
- 1987: Best Supporting Actress for Tamil film Karthika Poornima
- 1999: Best Supporting Actress for Telugu film Prema Kadha
South Indian International Movie Awards
- 2015: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the Tamil film Thanga Magan
- 2021: Best Actress in a Supporting Role Tamil film Vaanam Kottattum
Raadhika Sarathkumar with her SIIMA award
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
- 1995: Special Prize for the Tamil film Pasumponn
- 1988: Special Prize for the Tamil film Poonthotta Kaavalkkaaran
- 1989: Best Actress for the Tamil film Ninaivu Chinnam
Cinema Express Awards
- 1988: Best Actress for Tamil films Paasa Paravaigal & Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran
- 1993: Best Actress for Tamil film Kizhakku Cheemayile
Sun Kudumbam Viruthugal
- 2010: Best Overall Performance Award for the Tamil TV serial Arasi
- 2012: Special Jury Award for Best Actress for the Tamil TV serial Chellamay
- 2014: Best Actress for the Tamil TV serial Chellamay
Other Awards
- 2008: Vivel Chinnathirai Award for Best Actress for Arasi
- 2016: Provoke Lifestyle Awards for TV Sensation of the Year
- 2019: Nadigavel Selvi title
Raadhika Sarathkumar receiving Nadigavel Selvi title
- 2022: Pride of Tamilmani
Raadhika Sarathkumar receiving Pride of Tamilmani
Note: She has many more accolades to her name.
Facts/Trivia
- In 1967, her father shot the Indian veteran actor M. G. Ramachandran with a gun. However, he missed the shot. After the incident, her father was imprisoned. In an interview, Raadhika shared that her family suffered many troubles after the incident. She said,
My mother did not want me to be exposed to what was happening here. I was studying in Chennai initially, but when my father was having his problems, we went to Colombo and I was studying there. I went to London when I was 14. I wanted to do a course there, but I was travelling back and forth between London and India.”
- In 1977, she met the Indian film director Bharathiraja at her home. Bharathiraja had once seen her photo and liked it. He then offered her a role in one of his films. In an interview, Raadhika said that she did not want to become an actor and that acting came to her accidentally.
- She loves cooking and spending time with her family and friends in her leisure time.
- She regularly practices yoga to maintain her fitness.
- One of her favourite quotes is Laugh While you can, No Pain No Gain.
- She owns a Land Rover car.
- She follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- She has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Just For Women.
Raadhika Sarathkumar featured on a magazine cover
- She has also appeared in TV commercials for various brands like Pranav Jewelers, Chennai Silks, and Manna Health Mix.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
