M. R. Radha: Difference between revisions

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'''Madras Rajagopala Radhakrishnan Naidu''' (14 April 1907 – 17 September 1979), popularly known by his stage name, '''M. R. Radha''', was an [[Indian people|Indian]] movie actor and politician. He was given the title of "Nadigavel" (Spearhead of acting / frontrunner /torchbearer) by [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy|E.V.R. Periyar]] in a stage, for his acting prowess. After a successful career on stage in his early years, he acted in movies from the 1930s to the 1970s, and then, giving up movies, he went back to his first love, the stage.
{{short description|Indian actor}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Indian name|Radha|Rajagopal}}
{{Infobox person
| name              = M. R. Radha
| image              = MRRadhaactor.png
| caption            = Radha in his later years
| birth_name        = Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan
| birth_date        = {{birth date|1907|4|14|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Madras]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]] (Now [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| death_date        = {{death date and age|1979|9|17|1907|4|14|df=yes}}
| death_place        = [[Tiruchirappalli]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| othername          = Nadigavel
| spouse            = {{ubl|Saraswathi|Dhanalakshmi|Premavathi (deceased)| Jayammal |Geetha}}
| children          = 11 (including [[M. R. R. Vasu]], [[Radha Ravi]], [[Raadhika]] and [[Nirosha]])
| family            = [[List of South Indian film families#Radha family|M. R. Radha family]]
| parents            = {{ubl|Rajagopalan ({{small|father}})|Rajammal ({{small|mother}})}}
| relatives          = [[Vasu Vikram]]<br />({{small|Son of M. R. R. Vasu}})
| occupation        = Actor, politician
}}


==Career==
'''Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan''' (14 April 1907&nbsp;– 17 September 1979) was an Indian actor and politician active in Tamil plays and films. He was given the title "Nadigavel" (spearhead of acting) by [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sundaram |first=Nandhu |date=31 May 2020 |title='Ratha Kanneer': MR Radha's film is a scathing indictment of our culture |work=[[The News Minute]] |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ratha-kanneer-mr-radha-s-film-scathing-indictment-our-culture-125619 |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref>
Radha was a popular theatre artist who performed in more than 5000 stage shows. Starting at the age of 10, he appeared at first in small roles and eventually grew to a level that stories for dramas were custom made for him.Radha gained popularity with the success of his stage play ''Ratha Kanneer''. His performance in [[Ratha Kanneer|the 1954 movie version of the play]], directed by [[Krishnan-Panju]], brought wider recognition of his talents and made him a household name in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/22/stories/2005072216350800.htm|title=On Sivaji death anniversary, M. R. Radha, Kannamba remembered|journal=The Hindu|author=T. Ramakrishnan |date=22 July 2005|accessdate=21 December 2015}}</ref>


Radha played both villain roles and comedic roles. After the 1950s, filmmakers created roles specially for him, and he often overshadowed even main actors like MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. He was an active member of the [[Self-Respect Movement]], and was known for his atheistic views. Towards the end of his career, however, he started acting in Hindu devotional movies like ''Velum Mayilum Thunai'' but he often used to ridicule theism in these movies.
== Career ==
Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishna was born on 14 April 1907 at [[Chintadripet]], a locality in [[Chennai]] (then Madras), Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=27 July 2014 |title=The ultimate bad guy |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu/20140727/282381217678728 |access-date=18 December 2020 |via=[[PressReader]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=1 August 2014 |title=M.R. Radha: The star who questioned it all |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/mr-radha-the-star-who-questioned-it-all/article6268961.ece |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref> Radha left his home at an early age due to a quarrel with his mother in which she declined to give an extra piece of fish to eat.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=9 August 2014 |title=Rajaguru of villains |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/nambiar-rajaguru-of-villains/article6299230.ece |access-date=18 December 2020}}</ref>


==MGR Shooting incident==
Radha was a popular theatre [[artiste]] who performed in more than 5000 stage shows. Starting at the age of 10, he appeared at first in small roles and eventually grew to a level that stories for dramas were custom made for him.{{Citation needed|reason=there is no citation for this complete paragraph, especially the numbers|date=December 2016}}


On 12 January 1967, Radha and a producer K.N. Vasu of Muthukumaran Pictures visited the actor and politician [[M. G. Ramachandran]] at his home to talk about a future project. During the conversation, Radha suddenly got up from his chair and shot twice at Ramachandran's left ear. Both bullets got lodged in Ramachandran's neck. Radha then turned the gun on himself and tried to shoot himself, but the bullet just scratched his right temple. Radha and Ramachandran were admitted to the [[Government General Hospital, Chennai]], where they survived after proper treatment.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-day-mr-radha-shot-mgr/article4229865.ece | title=The day M.R. Radha shot MGR | work=The Hindu | date=23 December 2012 | accessdate=4 October 2016}}</ref> The only eye witness for the shooting event was producer Vasu. As majority of the evidences were against Radha, he was sentenced to a seven-year term. At the High Court hearing, considering his age, the sentence was reduced to three and a half years.
Radha gained popularity with the success of his stage play ''Ratha Kanneer''. His performance in [[Ratha Kanneer|the 1954 film version of the play]], directed by [[Krishnan–Panju]], brought wider recognition of his talents and made him a household name in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=T. |date=22 July 2005 |title=On Sivaji death anniversary, M.R. Radha, Kannamba remembered |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/on-sivaji-death-anniversary-mr-radha-kannamba-remembered/article27433674.ece |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref>
==Death==
After being released from jail, Radha died of [[jaundice]] on 17 September 1979 aged 72 at his residence in [[Thiruchirappalli]]. His popularity had improved and his funeral procession was one of the largest in South India, as over 200,000 mourners paid respect.


==Personal life==
Radha played both villain roles and comedic roles. In the 1960s, roles were specially written for him, and he often overshadowed actors like MGR and [[Sivaji Ganesan]].
M. R. Radhakrishnan married four times, and his marriages were concurrent. The names of his wives were Smt. Saraswathi Ammal, Smt. Dhanalakshmi Ammal, Smt. Jayammal and Smt. Geetha. He was survived by three of his wives, namely Smt. Saraswathi Ammal, Smt. Dhanalakshmi Ammal and Smt. Jayamamal.


Radhakrishnan was the father of several children (at least three sons and six daughters) by his four wives. His three sons were [[M. R. R. Vasu]] and [[Radha Ravi]] (both borne by Smt. Dhanalakshmi Ammal) and M.R. Radharajoo. Radhakrishnan also had at least seven daughters, including Rashya, Rani, Ganavalli, Kasturi, Rajeswari and two daughters (actresses [[Raadhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]] and [[Nirosha]]) born to his most junior wife Geetha.
== M. G. Ramachandran shooting incident ==
On 12 January 1967, Radha and producer K.N. Vasu of Muthukumaran Pictures visited the actor and politician [[M. G. Ramachandran]] at his home to talk about a future project. During the conversation, Radha suddenly got up from his chair and shot twice at Ramachandran's left ear. Both bullets got lodged in Ramachandran's neck. Radha then turned the gun on himself and tried to shoot himself, but the bullet just scratched his right temple. Radha and Ramachandran were admitted to the [[Government General Hospital, Chennai]], where they survived after proper treatment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A. |date=23 December 2012 |title=The day M.R. Radha shot MGR |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-day-mr-radha-shot-mgr/article12059018.ece |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref> The only eye witness for the shooting was Vasu.


Radhakrishnan's eldest son [[M. R. R. Vasu]] was a leading character artist until the mid-1980s. His other son [[Radha Ravi]] is also an actor. [[Raadhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]] is an actress and producer and is presently married to actor [[R. Sarathkumar]] (her third husband). [[Nirosha]] (also known as Niroja) is an actress working mostly in supporting roles; she is married to actor [[Ramki]].
In the assassination trial, held at Saithapet First Division Magistrate Court under Magistrate S. Kuppusami in May 1967, and later at the Chingleput Sessions Court held under Justice P. Lakshmanan, Radha was represented by eminent criminal attorney N. T. Vanamamalai. The verdict was delivered on 4 November 1967. As majority of the evidences were against Radha, he was sentenced to a seven-year term. At the High Court hearing, considering his age, the sentence was reduced to four years and three months.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivatsan |first=A. |date=24 December 2012 |title=Radha pleaded innocence; was found guilty |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/radha-pleaded-innocence-was-found-guilty/article4232721.ece |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref>


==Filmography==
== Death ==
{{Div col|cols=4}}
Radha died of [[jaundice]] on 17 September 1979 aged 72 at his residence in [[Tiruchirappalli]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balachandran|first=Logesh|date=18 September 2020|title=Radikaa Sarathkumar shares throwback pic on dad MR Radha's death anniversary: Always in our hearts|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/radikaa-sarathkumar-shares-throwback-pic-on-dad-mr-radha-s-death-anniversary-always-in-our-hearts-1723019-2020-09-18|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=19 December 2020|website=[[India Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Majordasan|date=|title=Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema – M. R. Radha|url=http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Jan10_1_15/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_M_R_Radha.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=19 December 2020|website=Kalyanamalai}}</ref>
* ''Ratha Kanneer''
* ''Nalla Idathu Sambandham''
* ''Aayiram Roobai''
* ''Kai Koduttha Dheivam''
* ''Paava Mannippu''
* ''En Kadamai''
* ''Chitthi''
* ''Puthiya Paravai''
* ''Bale Pandiya''
* ''Sarada''
* ''Thendral Veesum'' (1962)
* ''Kavalai Illaadha Manithan''
* ''Kumudham''
* ''Anandhi''
* ''Karpagam''
* ''Thayai Kaatha Thanayan''
* ''Paasam''
* ''Paalum Pazhamum''
* ''Pattinathar''
* ''Padithal Mattum Podhuma''
* ''Naanum Oru Penn''
* ''Koduthu Vaithaval''
* ''Aalayamani''
* ''Santhanathevan''
* ''Velum Mayilum Thunai''
* ''Rathinapuri Ilavarasi''
* ''Thai Solli Thathathe''
* ''Iruvar Ullam''
* ''Petralthan Pillaiya''
* ''Periya Idathu Penn''
* ''Anandha Jodhi''
* ''Ulagam Sirikkirathu''
* ''Bhaaga Pirivinai''
* ''Aadavantha Deivam''
* ''Kannadi Maligai''
* ''Hello Mister Zamindar''
* ''Mani Osai''
* ''Dasavatharam (movie)''
{{Div col end}}


==References==
== Personal life ==
Radha married four times, and his marriages were concurrent. The names of his wives were Saraswathi, Dhanalakshmi, Jaya and Geetha.
 
Radhakrishnan was the father of several children by his four wives. His three sons were [[M. R. R. Vasu]](born to his first wife Saraswati) and [[Radha Ravi]](born to Dhanalakshmi)and M.R. Radharajoo. Radhakrishnan also had seven daughters, including Rashya, Rani, Ganavalli, Kasturi, Rajeswari and two daughters (actresses [[Raadhika|Radhika]] and [[Nirosha]]) born to Geetha.
 
His first son Vasu was a leading character artist until the mid-1980s. His other son [[Radha Ravi]] is also an actor. Radhika is an actress and producer and is married to actor [[R. Sarathkumar]]. [[Nirosha]] (also known as Niroja) is an actress working mostly in supporting roles; she is married to actor [[Ramki]].
 
== Filmography ==
''This is a partial filmography. You can expand it.''
 
=== 1930s ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Film
!Role
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|1937
|''Rajasekaran Emantha Sonagiri''
|
|Debut Movie
|-
|1939
|''[[Santhana Devan (1939 film)|Santhana Devan]]''
|
|
|-
|}
 
=== 1940s ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Film
!Role
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|-
|1940
|Sathiyavaani
|
|
|}
 
=== 1950s ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Film
!Role
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|-
|1954
|''[[Ratha Kanneer]]''
|Mohan
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|1958
|''[[Nalla Idathu Sammandham]]''
|Muthu
|
|-
|1959
|''Ulagam Sirikkirathu''
|Jagadeesan
|
|-
|1959
|''[[Thamarai Kulam]]''
|
|
|-
|1959
|''[[Bhaaga Pirivinai]]''
|Singaram
|<ref>{{Cite news|last=Guy|first=Randor|author-link=Randor Guy|date=31 January 2015|title=Bhagapirivinai 1959|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/blast-from-the-past-bhagapirivinai-1959/article6842599.ece|url-status=live|access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref>
|-
|}
 
=== 1960s ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Film
!Role
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|1960
|''[[Aadavantha Deivam]]''
|Malaiyappan
|
|-
|1960
|''[[Kairasi]]''
|Kumar
|
|-
|1960
|''[[Kavalai Illaadha Manithan]]''
|Manickam
|
|-
|1960
|''[[Ondrupattal Undu Vazhvu]]''
|
|
|-
|1960
|''[[Kadavulin Kuzhandhai]]''
|
|
|-
|1960
|''[[Rathinapuri Ilavarasi]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Kongunattu Thangam]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
|[[Sengamala Theevu]]
|
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Paava Mannippu]]''
|Aalavandhar
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Sabaash Mapillai]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Pangaaligal]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Paalum Pazhamum]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Kumudham]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Nallavan Vazhvan]]''
|Nalasivam
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Panam Panthiyile]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
|''[[Thaai Sollai Thattadhe]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Bale Pandiya (1962 film)|Bale Pandiya]]''
|Kabali and Amirthalingam Pillai
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Sarada (1962 film)|Sarada]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Thayai Katha Thanayan]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Paadha Kaanikkai]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|[[Naagamalai Azhagi]]
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Maadappura]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Kannadi Maaligai]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|[[Kavitha (1962 film)|Kavitha]]
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Thendral Veesum]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Ethaiyum Thangum Ithaiyam]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|[[Muthu Mandapam]]
|
|
|-
|1962
|[[Indira En Selvam]]
|
|
|-
|1962
|[[Kathiruntha Kangal]]
|
|
|-
|1962
|[[Ellorum Vazhavendum]]
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Kudumba Thalaivan]]''
|Velayudam Pilai
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Padithal Mattum Podhuma]]''
|Kailasam
|
|-
|1962
|[[Valar Pirai]]
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Paasam]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Pattinathar (1962 film)|Pattinathar]]''
|
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Aalayamani]]''
|Aatkondan Pillai
|
|-
|1962
|''[[Thendral Veesum]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Iruvar Ullam]]''
|Gnana Sigamani
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Mani Osai]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Lava Kusa]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Needhikkuppin Paasam]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum]]''
|Sadanandam
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Naanum Oru Penn]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|[[Kaanchi Thalaivan]]
|
|
|-
|1963
|[[Idhayathil Nee]]
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Anandha Jodhi]]''
|Punniya Kodi
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Koduthu Vaithaval]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Kalyaniyin Kanavan]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Kadavulai Kanden]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|[[Aasai Alaigal]]
|
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Periya Idathu Penn]]''
| Kailasam Pillai
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Karpagam]]''
|
|
|-
|1963
|[[Kattu Roja]]
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Vettaikaaran (1964 film)|Vettaikkaran]]''
|Sundaram
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Pachai Vilakku (1964 film)|Pachai Vilakku]]''
|Rajabaadhar
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Aayiram Roobai]]''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Thozhilali]]''
|Vijaya's father
|
|-
|1964
|''Ullasa Payanam''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Vazhi Piranthadu]]''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Thaayin Madiyil]]''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Pasamum Nesamum]]''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Puthiya Paravai]]''
|Rangan
|
|-
|1964
|''[[En Kadamai]]''
|Tharumalingam
|
|-
|1964
|''Magazhe Un Samathu''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Arunagirinathar]]''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Kai Koduttha Dheivam]]''
|
|
|-
|1964
|''[[Bobbili Yuddham]]''
|Hyder Jung
|
|-
|1965
|''[[Pazhani (1965 film)|Pazhani]]''
|Kalyanam
|
|-
|1965
|[[Enga Veetu Penn]]
|
|
|-
|1965
|''[[Shanti (1965 film)|Shanti]]''
|
|
|-
|1965
|''[[Anandhi (1965 film)|Anandhi]]''
|
|
|-
|1965
|''[[Hello Mister Zamindar]]''
|
|
|-
|1966
|''[[Chitthi]]''
|
|
|-
|1966
|''[[Chandrodayam]]''
|Duriothanan
|<ref>{{Cite news|last=Guy|first=Randor|author-link=Randor Guy|date=9 January 2016|title=Blast from the past: Chandhrodhayam (1966)|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Blast-from-the-past-Chandhrodhayam-1966/article13990301.ece|url-status=live|access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref>
|-
|1966
|''[[Thattungal Thirakkappadum]]''
|
|
|-
|1966
|''[[Petralthan Pillaiya]]''
|Kabali
|
|-
|}
 
=== 1970s ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Film
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1974
|''[[Samaiyalkaran]]''
|
|-
 
|1976
|''[[Dasavatharam (film)|Dasavatharam]]''
|Hiranya Kashipu
|
|-
|1978
|''Mela Thalangal''
|
|
|-
|1978
|''Panchamirtham''
|
|
|-
|1978
|Vandikaran Magan
|
|
|-
|1979
|''[[Velum Mayilum Thunai]]''
|Velayudham/Thanikachalam
|
|-
|1978
|''[[Taxi Driver (1978 film)|Taxi Driver]]''
|
|
|-
|}
 
=== 1980s ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Film
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1980
|''[[Saranam Ayyappa]]''
|
|
|-
|1980
|''[[Naan Potta Savaal]]''
|Arthanari
|
|}
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Other websites==
== External links ==
 
* {{IMDb name|id=1173060|name=M. R. Radha}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1173060|name=M. R. Radha}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070108060407/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/gallery/sg/sg005.htm A scene from ''Paava Mannippu'']


{{authority control}}


{{actor-stub}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Radha, Mohan}}
 
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Radha, M. R.}}
[[Category:Tamil male actors]]
[[Category:Dravidian movement]]
[[Category:Anti-Brahminism]]
[[Category:1907 births]]
[[Category:1907 births]]
[[Category:1979 deaths]]
[[Category:1979 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from jaundice]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Tamil actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian movie actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Tamil comedians]]
[[Category:Periyarists]]
 
[[Category:Male actors from Chennai]]
{{simple-Wikipedia}}

Revision as of 13:21, 22 August 2021


In this Indian name, the name Rajagopal is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Radha.
M. R. Radha
File:MRRadhaactor.png
Radha in his later years
Born
Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan

(1907-04-14)14 April 1907
Madras, Madras Presidency, British India (Now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Died17 September 1979(1979-09-17) (aged 72)
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesNadigavel
OccupationActor, politician
Spouse(s)
  • Saraswathi
  • Dhanalakshmi
  • Premavathi (deceased)
  • Jayammal
  • Geetha
Children11 (including M. R. R. Vasu, Radha Ravi, Raadhika and Nirosha)
Parent(s)
  • Rajagopalan (father)
  • Rajammal (mother)
RelativesVasu Vikram
(Son of M. R. R. Vasu)
FamilyM. R. Radha family

Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan (14 April 1907 – 17 September 1979) was an Indian actor and politician active in Tamil plays and films. He was given the title "Nadigavel" (spearhead of acting) by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy.[1]

Career

Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishna was born on 14 April 1907 at Chintadripet, a locality in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu.[2][3] Radha left his home at an early age due to a quarrel with his mother in which she declined to give an extra piece of fish to eat.[4]

Radha was a popular theatre artiste who performed in more than 5000 stage shows. Starting at the age of 10, he appeared at first in small roles and eventually grew to a level that stories for dramas were custom made for him.[citation needed]

Radha gained popularity with the success of his stage play Ratha Kanneer. His performance in the 1954 film version of the play, directed by Krishnan–Panju, brought wider recognition of his talents and made him a household name in Tamil Nadu.[5]

Radha played both villain roles and comedic roles. In the 1960s, roles were specially written for him, and he often overshadowed actors like MGR and Sivaji Ganesan.

M. G. Ramachandran shooting incident

On 12 January 1967, Radha and producer K.N. Vasu of Muthukumaran Pictures visited the actor and politician M. G. Ramachandran at his home to talk about a future project. During the conversation, Radha suddenly got up from his chair and shot twice at Ramachandran's left ear. Both bullets got lodged in Ramachandran's neck. Radha then turned the gun on himself and tried to shoot himself, but the bullet just scratched his right temple. Radha and Ramachandran were admitted to the Government General Hospital, Chennai, where they survived after proper treatment.[6] The only eye witness for the shooting was Vasu.

In the assassination trial, held at Saithapet First Division Magistrate Court under Magistrate S. Kuppusami in May 1967, and later at the Chingleput Sessions Court held under Justice P. Lakshmanan, Radha was represented by eminent criminal attorney N. T. Vanamamalai. The verdict was delivered on 4 November 1967. As majority of the evidences were against Radha, he was sentenced to a seven-year term. At the High Court hearing, considering his age, the sentence was reduced to four years and three months.[7]

Death

Radha died of jaundice on 17 September 1979 aged 72 at his residence in Tiruchirappalli.[8][9]

Personal life

Radha married four times, and his marriages were concurrent. The names of his wives were Saraswathi, Dhanalakshmi, Jaya and Geetha.

Radhakrishnan was the father of several children by his four wives. His three sons were M. R. R. Vasu(born to his first wife Saraswati) and Radha Ravi(born to Dhanalakshmi)and M.R. Radharajoo. Radhakrishnan also had seven daughters, including Rashya, Rani, Ganavalli, Kasturi, Rajeswari and two daughters (actresses Radhika and Nirosha) born to Geetha.

His first son Vasu was a leading character artist until the mid-1980s. His other son Radha Ravi is also an actor. Radhika is an actress and producer and is married to actor R. Sarathkumar. Nirosha (also known as Niroja) is an actress working mostly in supporting roles; she is married to actor Ramki.

Filmography

This is a partial filmography. You can expand it.

1930s

Year Film Role Ref.
1937 Rajasekaran Emantha Sonagiri Debut Movie
1939 Santhana Devan

1940s

Year Film Role Ref.
1940 Sathiyavaani

1950s

Year Film Role Ref.
1954 Ratha Kanneer Mohan [1]
1958 Nalla Idathu Sammandham Muthu
1959 Ulagam Sirikkirathu Jagadeesan
1959 Thamarai Kulam
1959 Bhaaga Pirivinai Singaram [10]

1960s

Year Film Role Ref.
1960 Aadavantha Deivam Malaiyappan
1960 Kairasi Kumar
1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Manickam
1960 Ondrupattal Undu Vazhvu
1960 Kadavulin Kuzhandhai
1960 Rathinapuri Ilavarasi
1961 Kongunattu Thangam
1961 Sengamala Theevu
1961 Paava Mannippu Aalavandhar
1961 Sabaash Mapillai
1961 Pangaaligal
1961 Paalum Pazhamum
1961 Kumudham
1961 Nallavan Vazhvan Nalasivam
1961 Panam Panthiyile
1961 Thaai Sollai Thattadhe
1962 Bale Pandiya Kabali and Amirthalingam Pillai
1962 Sarada
1962 Thayai Katha Thanayan
1962 Paadha Kaanikkai
1962 Naagamalai Azhagi
1962 Maadappura
1962 Kannadi Maaligai
1962 Kavitha
1962 Thendral Veesum
1962 Ethaiyum Thangum Ithaiyam
1962 Muthu Mandapam
1962 Indira En Selvam
1962 Kathiruntha Kangal
1962 Ellorum Vazhavendum
1962 Kudumba Thalaivan Velayudam Pilai
1962 Padithal Mattum Podhuma Kailasam
1962 Valar Pirai
1962 Paasam
1962 Pattinathar
1962 Aalayamani Aatkondan Pillai
1962 Thendral Veesum
1963 Iruvar Ullam Gnana Sigamani
1963 Mani Osai
1963 Lava Kusa
1963 Needhikkuppin Paasam
1963 Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum Sadanandam
1963 Naanum Oru Penn
1963 Kaanchi Thalaivan
1963 Idhayathil Nee
1963 Anandha Jodhi Punniya Kodi
1963 Koduthu Vaithaval
1963 Kalyaniyin Kanavan
1963 Kadavulai Kanden
1963 Aasai Alaigal
1963 Periya Idathu Penn Kailasam Pillai
1963 Karpagam
1963 Kattu Roja
1964 Vettaikkaran Sundaram
1964 Pachai Vilakku Rajabaadhar
1964 Aayiram Roobai
1964 Thozhilali Vijaya's father
1964 Ullasa Payanam
1964 Vazhi Piranthadu
1964 Thaayin Madiyil
1964 Pasamum Nesamum
1964 Puthiya Paravai Rangan
1964 En Kadamai Tharumalingam
1964 Magazhe Un Samathu
1964 Arunagirinathar
1964 Kai Koduttha Dheivam
1964 Bobbili Yuddham Hyder Jung
1965 Pazhani Kalyanam
1965 Enga Veetu Penn
1965 Shanti
1965 Anandhi
1965 Hello Mister Zamindar
1966 Chitthi
1966 Chandrodayam Duriothanan [11]
1966 Thattungal Thirakkappadum
1966 Petralthan Pillaiya Kabali

1970s

Year Film Role Notes
1974 Samaiyalkaran
1976 Dasavatharam Hiranya Kashipu
1978 Mela Thalangal
1978 Panchamirtham
1978 Vandikaran Magan
1979 Velum Mayilum Thunai Velayudham/Thanikachalam
1978 Taxi Driver

1980s

Year Film Role Notes
1980 Saranam Ayyappa
1980 Naan Potta Savaal Arthanari

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sundaram, Nandhu (31 May 2020). "'Ratha Kanneer': MR Radha's film is a scathing indictment of our culture". The News Minute. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  2. ↑ Guy, Randor (27 July 2014). "The ultimate bad guy". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 December 2020 – via PressReader.
  3. ↑ Naig, Udhav (1 August 2014). "M.R. Radha: The star who questioned it all". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 December 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ Guy, Randor (9 August 2014). "Rajaguru of villains". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  5. ↑ Ramakrishnan, T. (22 July 2005). "On Sivaji death anniversary, M.R. Radha, Kannamba remembered". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  6. ↑ Srivathsan, A. (23 December 2012). "The day M.R. Radha shot MGR". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  7. ↑ Srivatsan, A. (24 December 2012). "Radha pleaded innocence; was found guilty". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  8. ↑ Balachandran, Logesh (18 September 2020). "Radikaa Sarathkumar shares throwback pic on dad MR Radha's death anniversary: Always in our hearts". India Today. Retrieved 19 December 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ Majordasan. "Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema – M. R. Radha". Kalyanamalai. Retrieved 19 December 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ Guy, Randor (31 January 2015). "Bhagapirivinai 1959". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 January 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ Guy, Randor (9 January 2016). "Blast from the past: Chandhrodhayam (1966)". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 January 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

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