Radha Ravi

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Radha Ravi
Radha Ravi at Jil Jung Juk Press Meet.jpg
Radha Ravi in 2016
Born
Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan Ravi

(1952-07-29) 29 July 1952 (age 71)[1]
Alma materThe New College, Chennai
OccupationPolitician, actor
Years active1976–present
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Parent(s)M. R. Radha
Dhanalakshmiammal
RelativesVasu Vikram (nephew)
FamilyM. R. R. Vasu (brother)
Rathikala (sister)
Raadhika (half-sister)
Nirosha (half-sister)
Raju Radha (half-brother)
Mohan Radha (half-brother)
Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office
2001–2006
Preceded byV. Perumal
Succeeded byG. Senthamizhan
ConstituencySaidapet

Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan Ravi (born 29 July 1952) is an Indian actor and politician[2] who played supporting roles throughout his career. He is the son of actor M. R. Radha and the uncle of Vasu Vikram and half-brother of Raadhika. He is a former chief member of the Tamil Nadu Film Artistes' Association. He is known for his roles as antagonists in Tamil films and a he acted in the serial Chellamae. He is also known for his controversial criticism of other film personalities.[3]

He was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Saidapet in 2001 as a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He is one of the current state executive member of Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party.

Career[edit]

Radha Ravi was born on 29 July 1952 to the well-known actor M. R. Radha and Dhanalakshmiammal.[4] He has one brother, M. R. R. Vasu, and three sisters, Rashya, Rani and Rathikala. Having started his career as a theatre artiste, he still associates himself with plays. He is a man with diverse interests. He played the role of Julius Caesar in a Tamil drama when he was in the ninth standard. During his New College days, both his friends, Jailani and Rafee helped him to pursue his passion for theatre. He performed for V. K. Ramasamy troupe, M. R. R. Vasu troupe, T. K. Chandran troupe and the UAA troupe. In 1980, he started his own troupe Nadikavel Theatres. His first time before the camera was for a Kannada film Rahasya Rathri (1980), produced by actor Bharathi's father for BNK Pictures in 1976. His first Tamil film was Manmadha Leelai (1976), after Kamal Haasan recommended his name to K. Balachander.

Director Rama Narayanan gave his career a boost, while T. Rajendar was instrumental in casting him as a villain in Uyirullavarai Usha (1983). But it was actor S. S. Chandran who made him speak like his father in that film and made the world sit up and take notice. He later modified himself into one of the most versatile character-actors the Tamil industry has ever produced.

He made notable performances in films such as Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), Uyarndha Ullam (1985), Guru Sishyan (1988), Rajadhi Raja (1989), Solaikuyil (1989), Chinna Thambi (1991), Annaamalai (1992), Uzhaippali (1993), Pooveli (1998), Padayappa (1999), Oru Murai Sollividu (2004), Iraivi (2016) and Sarkar (2018).

He tried his hand in production with films such as Thai Maasam Poo Vasam (1990), Idhu Namma Bhoomi (1992), Chinna Muthu (1994) and Ilaignar Ani (1994).

Apart from being a renowned actor, he is an eminent leader. He heads the Lions Club of Chennai and holds the post of secretary in Nadigar Sangam, which he headed a few years ago. He has worked in all the four South Indian languages and is still going strong with his versatile performance.[citation needed]

Political career[edit]

During the early 2000s, Radha Ravi started his political career as a campaigner for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and later joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) because of an opinion difference with the leadership of the DMK.[5]

During the 2002 Tamil Nadu Assembly by-elections, he was named as the AIADMK nominee from the Saidapet constituency. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 2001 to 2006. During the 2006 elections, however, he was not re-nominated.[6][7]

He rejoined the AIADMK in 2010 in the presence of J. Jayalalithaa at her residence and remained inactive in the party.[7]

In 2017, he left AIADMK and joined the DMK at the party headquarters after meeting M.K Stalin. He said DMK is the only party that has the confidence of the people and also said that M.K Stalin is the most suitable state leader and only he could save Tamil Nadu.[8]

In March 2019, he was expelled out of DMK due to his alleged sexist comments against actress Nayanthara. M.K Stalin said he condemned such conduct as it was against the party's ideals.[9]

He joined the AIADMK again in June 2019 in a meeting with Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, after he was expelled out of the DMK.[10]

He left AIADMK and Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in November 2019 on a meet with the party's president JP Nadda in Chennai.[5] On July 15, actor and politician Radha Ravi was made the state Executive Member by BJP's Tamil Nadu president, L Murugan.[11] While campaigning for the BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, Radha Ravi made derogatory comments against Kamal Haasan's personal life who was contesting from Coimbatore South.[12] His comments drew wide criticism.[13] Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) lodged a complaint with Election Commission regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct for his speech.[14] During the same campaign he passed lewd comments and slut shamed against Nayanthara.[15]

Allegations of sexual harassment[edit]

As part of the #MeToo movement in the Indian Tamil industry, in 2018, allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour have been made against Radha Ravi.[16] The allegations were brought to light by singer Chinmayi but accusers were allegedly silenced from filing official complaints. The singer was axed from the dubbing union, of which Radha Ravi is the president, for speaking up against him.[12] Singer Chinmayi claimed that Radha Ravi had expelled her from the dubbing union because she had exposed him in the #MeToo movement.[17][18]

In March 2019, during a trailer release function for Kolaiyuthir Kaalam, he made misogynistic comments towards the film's lead actress Nayanthara, leading to his suspension from the DMK.[19][17]

Controversies[edit]

Radha Ravi currently faces multiple accusations at the Dubbing Union and he is accused of falsely claiming Datukship by the Government of Malacca, Malaysia. The Melakan government has confirmed that they never conferred Datuk title to Mr Radha Ravi.[20] The building of Tamil Nadu Film Dubbing Association, of which Mr Radha Ravi is the long time president, is named as "Dato Radha Ravi Complex".

Radha Ravi became known for his vocal criticism of the actions of other film personalities. On a few occasions, he has spoken out against the actions of several artists. He has also spoken out against larger organizations, such as the Film Employees Federation of South India. His comments were widely reported in the media and became controversial.

He criticised Asin on her visit to Sri Lanka, where the heavily opposed civil war took place, in 2010 for the filming of Ready. He was quoted as saying: "Sangam won't spare actress Asin's recent visit to Sri Lanka to take part in the shooting of her upcoming Hindi film Ready opposite Salman Khan". However, Sarathkumar, president of the Nadigar Sangam, stated that "it's the prerogative of the artiste to go to whichever country they wanted".[21]

He faced controversy over his criticism against Academy Award-winner A. R. Rahman for being involved in more Bollywood productions and composing film scores in foreign studios, rather than in Tamil Nadu, saying: "I would like to make it clear that Rahman's debut was Roja and not Slumdog Millionaire. He was introduced by Kavithalaya Productions, a Tamil film production company. But today, he has declined to acknowledge it by giving priorities merely to Hindi films".[22]

Between 1987 and 2015, Radha Ravi was heavily involved in the Nadigar Sangam.[23] He served as president until 2002, when he was criticized for mismanagement and replaced by Vijayakanth. In 2006, he was appointed as the association's General Secretary, while his brother-in-law R. Sarathkumar became president.[24] In 2015, Ravi and Sarathkumar were defeated in election by Vishal and Nassar respectively after both were accused for being involved in a conflict of interest in the Nadigar Sangam building controversy. Radha Ravi was commonly accused of using unparliamentary language against actors.[25]

In March 2017, Radha Ravi got himself involved in a controversy when he mocked the DMK's political rivals MDMK's Vaiko and PMK's S Ramadoss and compared them to differently-abled children. DMK's Kanimozhi accused him for his insensitive speech and said that the DMK cadre would not accept this. Disability groups also condemned his statements.[26]

He received criticism when he made distasteful remarks and fun on Pollachi sexual assault incident in March 2019. He compared the Pollachi sexual assault issue to a big-budget film. "These days, people do not understand the difference between a big film and small film. A small film is where one guy rapes another girl. A big film is where 40 women are raped like the Pollachi incident. This is the difference," and smiled.[27]

Awards[edit]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Edison Awards

Filmography[edit]

Tamil films[edit]

Year Title Role
1976 Manmadha Leelai
1978 Veettukaari
Rudra Thaandavam
Thirukkalyanam
1980 Bombay Mail 109
Tharaiyil Vaazhum Meengal
Saranam Ayyappa
1981 Thanneer Thanneer Alagiri
1982 Kaadhal Oviyam
Paritchaikku Neramaachu
1983 Uyirullavarai Usha
Sivappu Sooriyan Ravi
Soorakottai Singakutti
Raagangal Maaruvathillai
Thambadigal
Poikaal Kuthirai
1984 Madurai Sooran
Vaai Pandhal
Theerppu En Kaiyil
Kalyaana Kanavugal
Achamillai Achamillai Henchman
Thangakkoppai
Thenkoodu
Poovilangu
Simma Soppanam
Iru Medhaigal
Rajathanthiram
Sattathai Thiruttungal
Thiruttu Rajakkal
Vaidehi Kathirunthal Vellikizhamai Ramasamy
Vai Pandal
1985 Alai Osai
Chain Jayapal
Naagam Ravi
Deivapiravi
Urimai
Naam
Ragasiyam
Annai Bhoomi 3D Somu
Anthasthu Madan
Uyarndha Ullam Selvam
Kutravaaligal
Engal Kural
Paartha Gnabagam Illayo
1986 Dharma Pathini
Selvaakku
Thiramai
Natpu
Amman Kovil Kizhakale
Sarvam Sakthimayam Alavanda
Kovil Yaanai
Vasantha Raagam
Ragasiyam
Odangal
Thalaiyatti Bommaigal
Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal Rajadurai
1987 Ivargal Indhiyargal
Solvathellam Unmai Fake Dr. Ramanathan
Ayyappaswamy
Thulasi
Vaazhga Valarga
Thangachi
Veerapandiyan
Paadu Nilave
Cooliekkaran Chakravarthy
Veeran Veluthambi Veeran Veluthambi
Ninaive Oru Sangeetham Bairava
Naagam
Ore Ratham
Idhu Engal Needhi
Ellaikodu
Kathai Kathayam Karanamam
Uzhavan Magan Gunasekhar
1988 Ennai Vittu Pogaathe
Solla Thudikuthu Manasu Vasudevan
Guru Sishyan Muthuraja
Ullathil Nalla Ullam Peter
Raasave Unnai Nambi
En Uyir Kannamma
Kazhugu Malaikkallan
Kalyana Paravaigal
Thambi Thanga Kambi Periya Durai
Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum Arun
1989 Pongi Varum Kaveri
Rajadhi Raja Aadimoolam
Siva
Rettaikuzhal Thuppaakki
Thalaivanukore Thalaivi Pari
Solaikuyil
Paalaivanathil Pattaampoochi
Kovilmani Osai
Thendral Sudum
Annanukku Jai
Vetri Vizha
Rajanadai Chakravarthy
1990 Panakkaran
Manaivi Oru Manickam
Pudhu Padagan Doctor
Pulan Visaranai R. R.
Unnai Solli Kutramillai Veerapandian
Seetha Chakravarthy
Pattanamthan Pogalamadi
Chilambu
Adhisaya Manithan Guest Appearance
Enkitta Mothathe
Thai Maasam Poovaasam
1991 Vaa Arugil Vaa Nalla Thambi
Vanakkam Vathiyare Malaichami
Chithirai Pookkal Lollai Kaadu
Vetri Karangal
Chinna Thambi Eldest brother of Nandhini
Idhu Namma Bhoomi Rathnavel
Vigneshwar Amir Nath
Thambikku Oru Pattu
Oyilaattam
Kurumbukkaaran
Rasathi Varum Naal Gowri
1992 Amaran Aandava Perumal
Rickshaw Mama
Agni Paarvai Minister Thirumurthy
Sugamana Sumaigal Thangaraj
Chembaruthi Paandi
Idhu Namma Bhoomi Rathnavel
Annamalai Gangadharan
Naalaiya Theerpu Arun Mehta
1993 Chinna Mappillai Aalavanthan / PeriyaPannai
Pandithurai Malaisamy
Chinna Thayee Inspector Sankarapandian
Uthama Raasa Parama Thevar
Vedan Megharajan
Chellakannu Dhandapani
Namma Annachi Vadivelu
Uzhaippali Ragupathy
Kattalai
Rojavai Killathe Ayyanar
Enga Muthalali Seetharaman Reddy
1994 Vaanga Partner Vaanga Ponnappan
Chinna Muthu Chinnamuthu
Oru Vasantha Geetham
Priyanka
Sadhu
En Aasai Machan Police officer
Ilaignar Ani Rajarajan
1995 Indira Kotamarayar
Lucky Man "Cheating" Sivaraman
Makkal Aatchi Chief minister Vaduganathan
Kizhakkumalai
Marumagan Mayilsamy Gounder
Asuran Rajasekhar
Coolie Loganathan
Neela Kuyil Raja
Muthu Ambalathar
1996 Kizhakku Mugam Poongodi's father
Katta Panchayathu Kathirvel
Vishwanath Rajkumar
Poovarasan Senadapathi
Vetri Vinayagar Kaja Mukasooran
1997 Vaimaye Vellum Rajendran
Vasuki Pakkiri
Thadayam Jothi's father
Kadhalukku Mariyadhai James
1998 Ulavuthurai Home Minister Jaidev
Veera Thalattu
Thalaimurai
Veeram Vilanja Mannu M.L.A Sundarapandi
Pooveli Chidambaram Pillai
1999 Suriya Paarvai Sundaramoorthy
Ponnu Veetukkaran Gangadaran
Endrendrum Kadhal Krishna
Poo Vaasam
Padayappa Neelambari's father
Poomagal Oorvalam Chidambaram
Kannupada Poguthaiya Angaala Thevar
Azhagarsamy Landlord
2000 Simmasanam Sakthivel's cousin
Vanna Thamizh Pattu Muthumanikkam
2001 Friends Abhirami's father
Narasimha Manimaran
2002 Raja Kathiresan
Karmegham Karmegham's father
Baba Minister of Tourism
Kadhal Azhivathillai Charmi's father
2003 Kadhaludan Durai's father
Dum
Lesa Lesa Chandru's grandfather
Kalatpadai Janakiraman
Jayam Raja
2004 Janaa Veerapandi
Oru Murai Sollividu Venkat's father
Gajendra Shawkat Ali
2005 Unarchigal Seshadri
2006 Saravana Saravana's father
Kusthi Chieftain
Chennai Kadhal Sakthivel
Adaikalam Somasundaram
2007 Kalakkura Chandru Ravi Verma
Thirumagan Sivalingam
Maya Kannadi
Kannamoochi Yenada Maheswaran Iyer
2008 Alibhabha MLA friend of Thilakan
Nayagan
2009 Indira Vizha Judge Sattanathan
1977
Ainthaam Padai Minister
Madurai Sambavam Aalamaram
Suriyan Satta Kalloori College Principal
2010 Kutty Devanayagam
Thairiyam
Sura Church father
Kola Kolaya Mundhirika Dada Thulakanam
Singam Soundara Pandi
Pen Singam Singaperumal
Thillalangadi Health Minister/Home Minister
Naane Ennul Illai
365 Kadhal Kadithangal Rasu Thevar
Puthumugam Harikumar
2011 Sattapadi Kutram Rathnavelu
Kumara
Vaanam Police Inspector
2012 Sattam Oru Iruttarai
2013 Thirumathi Thamizh
Singam 2 Soundara Pandi
Soodhu Kavvum Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
2014 Tenaliraman Vassal-King Parasbaram
Ramanujan Prof. Singaravelu Mudaliar
Aadama Jaichomada Producer
Jamaai College principal
Lingaa Kavi Bharathi
Pisasu Bhavani's father
2015 Pulan Visaranai 2
Sandamarutham Rangarajan
Sakalakala Vallavan Kathiresan
2016 Karai Oram
Aranmanai 2 Maya's father
Irudhi Suttru TN Boxing chairman Muralikrishnan
Jil Jung Juk Rolex Rawther
Aarathu Sinam Joint commissioner of madurai police
Mapla Singam Township president Sevagapandian
Narathan Anbazhagan
Manithan Judge
Marudhu Payilwan
Iraivi Jagan's father
Thodari Rengarajan
Achamindri Education minister Karikalan
2017 Si3 Soundara Pandi
Ennodu Vilayadu Nagulan
Yaakkai Krishnamurthy
Enkitta Mothathe Mandhramoorthy
Shivalinga Krishnamoorthy
Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae Sangili Aandhavan
Veera Vamsam
Annadurai Mahalingam
2018 Kalakalappu 2 Police inspector
Veera Sketch Sekhar
Junga Sopraj
Maniyaar Kudumbam Padikattu Mudaliar
Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna
Annanukku Jai Parasuraman
Ratsasan Rajamanickkam
Aan Devathai Bullet Thatha
Vada Chennai Muthu
Sarkar Rendu
2019 Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven Pandithurai
Oviyavai Vitta Yaru Seeni's father
100 Pistol Perumal
Ayogya Judge
Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja Jeepakaran
Dharmaprabhu Yaman
Bodhai Yeri Budhi Maari Karthik's father
Gorilla Assistant commissioner
Sixer Krithika's father
2020 Dagaalty Bhaiya
2021 Bhoomi Minister of Agriculture
Kalathil Santhippom Appachi
Thalaivii M. R. Radha
Rudra Thandavam Indrasena
Raajavamsam

Kannada[edit]

Malayalam[edit]

Telugu[edit]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Channel
2006 Vikramadithyan (Malayalam) Asianet
2008 Thiruvilayadal Sun TV
2009–2013 Chellamay Kadarkaraiyaan
2013–2014 Ranga Vilas Jaya TV
2020–present Anbe Vaa Krishnakanthan (Krishna) Sun TV

Dubbing artist[edit]

Year Film Actor Dubbed name Notes
1999 Samarasimha Reddy Jayaprakash Reddy Shanmuga Pandian
2008 Slumdog Millionaire Irrfan Khan Naanum Kodeeswaran
2011 Aadukalam V. I. S. Jayapalan

Producer[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Profile of Actor Radha Ravi – Tamil Movie Data Base of. Tamilstar.com (29 July 1952). Retrieved on 30 December 2016.
  2. "AIADMK fields Radha Ravi in Saidapet". Indiatimes. 2 May 2002. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  3. The man who brought dignity and grace to villainy – TAMIL NADU. The Hindu. Retrieved on 30 December 2016.
  4. Refrains, old and new. The Hindu. Retrieved on 30 December 2016.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Party-Hopper Radha Ravi, Notorious for Misogyny, Joins BJP". The Quint. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  6. Ramakrishnan, T. (12 June 2019). "Radha Ravi rejoins AIADMK". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Actor Radha Ravi back in AIADMK". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  8. TNM Staff. "Actor Radha Ravi leaves AIADMK to join DMK, claims party enjoys people's confidence". The news minute. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  9. Staff Reporter (25 March 2019). "DMK suspends actor Radha Ravi for making misogynistic remarks against actor". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X.
  10. "Suspended from DMK for derogatory comments on Nayanthara, Radha Ravi joins AIADMK". thenewsminute.com.
  11. "Controversial actor Radha Ravi made BJP's state executive member from Chennai". The News Minute. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  12. 12.0 12.1 "BJP's Radha Ravi takes a dig at Kamal Haasan's personal life at campaign rally". The News Minute. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  13. "Radha Ravi's comment on Kamal's personal life draws flak". dtNext.in. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. "MNM files complaint against Radha Ravi". dtNext.in. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. "Radha Ravi slut shames Nayanthara again, Chinmayi says she's sick of him". Hindustan Times. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  16. "Here is the list of south film industry stars who have spoken out on MeToo". The News Minute. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Ians (26 March 2019). "Radha Ravi is a repeat offender, says actor Vishal". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  18. "Chinmayi to fight against Radha Ravi for the President post in Dubbing Union election". India Today. Retrieved 23 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. Vasudevan, Lokpria (25 March 2019). "DMK suspends Radha Ravi for his misogynistic remarks against actress Nayanthara". India Today. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  20. Palansamy, Yiswaree. "South Indian actor Radha Ravi's 'datukship' not from Melaka govt, official says | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  21. "Asin complains..." Behindwoods. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  22. "Radharavi takes on A R Rahman". Chennaionline.com. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  23. "The Strike of 1997". Indolink Tamil. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  24. "Sarath Kumar elected unopposed to top post". The Hindu. 31 July 2006. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  25. Pillai, Sreedhar (19 September 2015). "Battle for Kollywood". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  26. Staff Reporter (4 March 2017). "Disability groups condemn Radha Ravi's derogatory remarks". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  27. "Radha Ravi makes fun of Pollachi sexual assault, gets blasted for distasteful remarks". India Today. Retrieved 23 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)