Radhika Kumaraswamy
Radhika Kumaraswamy (Born 1 November 1986[2][3]), credited as Radhika and as Kutty Radhika in Tamil films, is an Indian film actress and producer. She was born to a tulu speaking Billava (poojary) family in Mangalore.She has primarily appeared in Kannada films and was considered a lead actress in the Kannada film industry in the early 2000s.[4]
Radhika Kumaraswamy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 November 1986 |
| Occupation | Actress, Film Producer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse(s) | Ratan Kumar (m.2000–2002; his death)[1]
H.D.Kumaraswamy (m.2006) |
| Children | 1 |
Career
Radhika started her acting career with the Kannada film Neela Megha Shama (2002) when she had just completed her ninth class.[2] Her first release was Ninagagi, opposite Vijay Raghavendra, which was followed by Tavarige Baa Tangi, starring Shivrajkumar; both films were highly successful ventures.[2] In 2003, she appeared in five Kannada films, including Hemanth Hegde's directorial debut Ooh La La;[5] Hudugigaagi, alongside S. P. B. Charan; Yograj Bhat's maiden feature film Mani, in which she played the daughter of a prostitute;[2] Mane Magalu and Tayi Illada Tabbali, all of which were commercial failures.[6] In spite of the film's poor box office returns, Radhika's performance as Gowri in Tayi Illada Tabbali won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress.[7][8]
Due to the successive failures of her Kannada films, Radhika subsequently began to work in Tamil cinema, acting in five Tamil films in quick succession.[9] Her debut Tamil film was S. P. Jananathan's award-winning debut directorial Iyarkai (2003). The Hindu in its review noted that Kutty Radhika as the "impulsive, immature and obdurate Nancy looks just right for the role".[10] Three of her four releases in 2005—Rishi, Masala and Auto Shankar—featured her alongside another lead female character.[11] Her final release of 2005 saw her collaborating with the Tavarige Baa Tangi team, with Shivrajkumar and Radhika again playing the elder brother and younger sister, respectively.[12]
The following year, she was again seen in five Kannada films and one Tamil film Ulla Kadathal, that remains her last Tamil release. On her performance in Hatavadi, Rediff.com's critic R. G. Vijayasarathy wrote: "Though this is essentially a Ravichandran film, it is to Radhika's credit that she stands up to a superb performance. Her emotions are perfect and she is presented very well on screen".[13] After the long-delayed devotional film Navashakthi Vaibhava (2008), that featured her as a goddess alongside eight other lead actresses she went on a 5-year hiatus.
Radhika has also worked as a film distributor and producer. She has acquired the distribution rights of her own film Anatharu (2007), co-starring Upendra and Darshan.[14] In 2008, she bought the rights of her film Ishwar, which was launched in 2007 as Narasimha,[15] and revived it,[15][16] although she was unsuccessful in releasing it.[17] She later established a production studio named Shamika Enterprises, named after her daughter, and produced the film Lucky, starring Ramya.
In 2013, she made a comeback to acting with Sweety Nanna Jodi which she also produced.[18] With regards to her performance, Sify stated: "Radhika...is a treat to watch and has given a brilliant performance"[19] while Rediff wrote: "Radhika looks ravishing and comes as a surprise for those who have watched her earlier films".[20] Her Telugu mythological film Avataram, by Kodi Ramakrishna released in 2014.[21]
Personal life
Radhika reportedly married Ratan Kumar at the Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel on 26 November 2000.[22] In April 2002, Ratan Kumar filed a complaint, alleging that Radhika's father Devraj had abducted her as he feared that news of her marriage may "jeopardise her career".[23][24] Only a few days later, Radhika's mother wanted the marriage to be annulled as Radhika was just 14 years old and said that Ratan Kumar had forcibly married her.[25] Devraj further claimed that Ratan had tried to burn Radhika alive.[25] Ratan Kumar died in August 2002, following a heart attack.[22]
In November 2010, Radhika revealed that she was married to H D KUMARASWAMY, former chief Minister of Karnataka.[26][4] According to Radhika, they married in 2006[27][28] and have a daughter named Shamika.[29][30]
Filmography
Television
- 2017 - Dance Dance Juniors - Judge - Star Suvarna
| Year | Film | Language | Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Lucky | Kannada | Yash, Ramya |
| 2013 | Sweety Nanna Jodi | Kannada | Aditya, Radhika |
References
- "Actress Radhika's `husband' dies of heart attack". 27 August 2002.
- "Big time for li'l girl". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 5 August 2005.
- "Kannada Movie/Cinema News - IT IS OFFICIAL ON PRINT ? RADHIKA! - Chitratara.com". Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- "Radhika breaks her silence". Sify. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Ooh La La La: Fun on the Kannada screen – The Times of India". The Times of India.
- "A year of highs and lows - Deccan Herald". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "'Chigurida Kanasu' bags 4 awards". The Times of India. 1 January 2005.
- "Entry only to invitees at film awards function". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 July 2005.
- "Welcome to Sify.com". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Iyarkai". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 21 November 2003.
- IndiaGlitz – Radhika game for two-heroine films – Kannada Movie News
- "Brother-sister duo is back - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Hatavadi: For Ravichandran fans and more". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Going great guns". Sify. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Controversial Radhika is back!". Sify. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Radhika buys Ishwar". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "I miss facing the arclights: Radhika Kumaraswamy". The Times of India. 31 December 2011.
- "Radhika Kumaraswamy isn't scared of competition". News18. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Review : Sweety- Nanna Jodi". Sify. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Review: Sweety is a total family entertainer". Rediff. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Avatharam Movie Review - Avatharam Telugu Movie Review - 123telugu.com". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Actress Radhika's 'husband' dies of heart attack". The Times of India. 27 August 2002.
- "Court warrant to trace Kannada actress Radhika". The Times of India. 18 April 2002.
- "Husband, father fight over actress". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "Husband's story flops, 'abducted'". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- "I'm Mrs Kumaraswamy: Radhika". The Times of India. 21 November 2010.
- "I'm Mrs Kumaraswamy: Radhika". The Times of India. 21 November 2010.
- "Radhika Kumarswamy goes open on her Connections". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- Gowda, Aravind. "Kumaraswamy in trouble". India Today. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- "Radhika Kumaraswamy: Rads to filmi riches". Deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- "Radhika Kumarswamy to play Lakshmi Menon in Rudratandava". The Times of India. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Kontract revived with many surprises". The New Indian Express. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- "Radhika Kumarawamy in Rajendra Ponnappa". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- "Radhika Kumaraswamy's Aghori look for Bhairadevi". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 April 2020.