| Radha Ravi | |
|---|---|
Picture of Radha Ravi taken in 2007 |
|
| Born | Madras Rajagopal Radhakrishnan Ravi 30 July |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1975 - present |
Radha Ravi (Tamil: ராதா ரவி) is a Tamil film and television actor,[1] who played supporting roles throughout his career. He is the son of yesteryear actor, M. R. Radha and the uncle of Vasu Vikram and halfbrother of Raadhika Sarathkumar. He is a chief member of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association. He is known for his roles as an antagonist in Tamil films and his current role in the television serial Chellamae. He is also known for his controversial criticism of other film personalities.
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Radha Ravi was born on 30 July to the well-known actor M.R. Radha and Dhanalakshmiammal. 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. A man with diverse interests, it was his father who taught him some of the good principles in life. 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 actor V.K. Ramasamy troupe, MRR. Vasu troupe, T.K. Chandran troupe and the UAA troupe. In 1980, he started his own troupe Nadikavel Theatres. His first time before the was for a Kannada film, Ragasiya Rathiri, produced by actor Bharathi's father for BNK Pictures in 1975. His first Tamil film was Manmathalelai, after Kamal Haasan recommended his name to K. Balachandar.
Director Ramanarayanan gave his career a boost while T. Rajender was instrumental in casting him as a villain in Uyurullavarai Usha. 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 versatile character-actors Tamil industry has ever produced. He made notable performances in films like Vaidegi Kaathirunthal, Uyarntha Ullam, Chinna Thambi, Poo Veli, Uzhaipalli, Guru Sishyan, etc. He has acted in about 280 films in all the South Indian languages - four in Telugu, three in Kannada, three in Malayalam and the others in Tamil. He tried his hands in production with films like Thai Maasam Poo Vasam, Idhu Namma Bhoomi, Chinnamuthu and Ilaignar Ani and Ruthrathandavam. Apart from being a renowned actor, he is an eminent leader and a great personality in society. He heads the Lions Club of Chennai and holds the post of secretary in Nadigar Sangam, which he headed efficiently a few years ago. Years of working towards perfection in acting and being at the helm of everything due to his sense of responsibility has instilled tons of creativity and leadership qualities in him. He has worked in all the four South Indian languages and is still going strong with his versatile performance.
Radha Ravi became known for being vocal about the actions, which he found unfavourable, by other film personalities. In a few occasions, he spoke against the actions of several artistes, including Rajinikanth, Ajith Kumar, A. R. Rahman, and even larger film organizations, such as FEFSI. Most of the comments were widely reported in the media and became controversial.
He criticized directors for remaking old films.
| “ | Once, I tried to remake the old classic Padithal Mattum Pothuma, a Sivaji-starrer. I preferred Prabhu for Sivaji's role. I donned the character of M. R. Radha. But there a question stood before us: who will take up the challenge to perform in the role of Raja Sulochana, who did the cameo role in the original? Immediately we dropped the idea of remaking any film. Is it possible to recreate 'thalaivar' M. G. R.'s Enga Veetu Pillai? Or Sivaji's Deiva Magan? Take the case of Billa. Rajni is a living legend. There is no stopping this extra ordinary super star. Still, that film has been enjoyed by lakhs and lakhs of Tamil viewers around the world. Trying to fit someone in his is not considered in good taste or manner. I'm not criticizing Ajith. But it clearly shows the drought in the creativity of the present creators. One should try to keep these old classics as treasures and try to screen them everywhere. Every newcomer should learn something from the old hits instead of copying it. | ” |
He criticized Asin Thottumkal on her visit to Sri Lanka in 2010 for the filming of Ready.
| “ | 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. | ” |
In order to oppose the anti-Tamil attitude of the Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse and the government, the South Indian Film Artistes' Association (SIFAA) decided to boycott the 2010 IIFA Awards ceremony held in Colombo in the first week of June. It was also decided that no actor or actress would be going to Sri Lanka for any purpose. Some members of SIFAA started demanding that action be taken against Asin immediately. Sathyaraj and Radha Ravi were said to be very vocal in demanding action and said that the actress should appear before the Sangam to seek apology. However, R. Sarathkumar, president of SIFAA, has started speaking in favour of Asin and even said once that "it’s the prerogative of the artiste to go to whichever country they wanted".
More recently, 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. He was also cynical towards Slumdog Millionaire movie plot that portrayed India as a poor country. Though he proved to be one of the Indian celebrities who was highly critical of the Danny Boyle film, he provided the Tamil dubbing voice for the character played by Irrfan Khan.
| “ | 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 refused to acknowledge it by giving priorities merely to Hindi films | ” |
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| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Manmadha Leelai | |||
| 1977 | Ragasiya Raathiri | Kannada | ||
| 1978 | Veettukaari | |||
| Rudra Thaandavam | ||||
| Thirukkalyanam | ||||
| 1980 | Bombay Mail 109 | |||
| Tharaiyil Vaazhum Meengal | ||||
| 1981 | Thanneer Thanneer | |||
| 1982 | Kadhal Oviyam | |||
| 1983 | Uyirullavarai Usha | |||
| Sivappu Sooriyan | ||||
| Soorakkottai Singakutty | ||||
| Raagangal Maaruvathillai | ||||
| Thambadigal | ||||
| Poikaal Kuthirai | ||||
| 1984 | Iru Methaigal | |||
| Madurai Sooran | ||||
| Vaai Pandhal | ||||
| Theerppu En Kaiyil | ||||
| Kalyaana Kanavugal | ||||
| Achamillai Achamillai | ||||
| Thangakkoppai | ||||
| Thenkoodu | ||||
| Poovilangu | ||||
| Rajathanthiram | ||||
| Sattathai Thiruttungal | ||||
| Thiruttu Rajakkal | ||||
| Simma Soppanam | ||||
| 1985 | Uyarntha Ullam | |||
| Urimai | ||||
| Andhasthu | ||||
| Kutravaaligal | ||||
| Deiva Piravi | ||||
| Vaidhegi Kaathirunthaal | ||||
| Amman Kovil Kizhakale | ||||
| 1986 | Dharmapathini | |||
| Selvaakku | ||||
| Thiramai | ||||
| Sarvam Sakthimayam | ||||
| Kovil Yaanai | ||||
| Vasantha Raagam | ||||
| Ragasiyam | ||||
| Odangal | ||||
| Melmaruvathur Arpudhangal | ||||
| 1987 | Ivargal Indhiyargal | |||
| Ayyappaswamy | ||||
| Thalayaatti Bommaigal | ||||
| Thulasi | ||||
| Vaazhga valarga | ||||
| Paadunilaave | ||||
| Uzhavan Magan | ||||
| Ninaive Oru Sangeetham | ||||
| Cooliekaaran | ||||
| Naagam | ||||
| Solvadhellam Unmai | ||||
| Ore Ratham | ||||
| Idhu Engal Needhi | ||||
| Ellaikodu | ||||
| Natpu | ||||
| 1988 | Guru Sishyan | |||
| Solla Thudikkuthu Manasu | ||||
| Vetri Vinayakar | ||||
| En Uyir Kannamma | ||||
| Kazhugu Malaikkallan | ||||
| Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum | ||||
| Kalyana Paravaigal | ||||
| Ullathil Nalla Ullam | ||||
| Rasave unnai nambi | ||||
| 1989 | Siva | |||
| Rajadhi Raja | ||||
| Vetri Vizha | ||||
| Rajanadai | ||||
| Rettaikuzhal Thuppaakki | ||||
| Solaikuyil | ||||
| Thambi Thangakambi | ||||
| Paalaivanathil Pattaampoochi | ||||
| Kovilmani Osai | ||||
| Thendral Sudum | ||||
| Annanukku Jay | ||||
| Pongi Varum Kaveri | ||||
| 1990 | Panakkaran | Tamil | ||
| Pudhu Paadagan | ||||
| Seetha | ||||
| Kurumbukkaaran | ||||
| Adhisaya Manithan | ||||
| Silambu | ||||
| Unnai Solli Kutramillai | ||||
| Pulan Visaranai | ||||
| Engitta Modaathe | ||||
| 1991 | Chinna Thambi | Tamil | ||
| Idhu Namma Bhoomi | ||||
| Rickshawmama | ||||
| Chithirai Pookkal | ||||
| Vaa Arugil vaa | ||||
| Vetrikarangal | ||||
| Oyilaattam | ||||
| Vigneshwar | ||||
| Vanakkam Vaathiyaare | ||||
| Uthamaraasa | ||||
| 1992 | Annamalai | Tamil | ||
| Amaran | ||||
| Chinnavar | ||||
| Deiva Kuzhanthai | ||||
| Udanpirappu | ||||
| Deiva Vaakku | ||||
| 1993 | Uzhaippaali | |||
| Chembaruthi | ||||
| Vedan | ||||
| Chinnathaayee | ||||
| Chellakannu | ||||
| Kattalai | ||||
| Chinna Mappillai | ||||
| Paandithurai | ||||
| Rojavai killaathe | ||||
| Namma Annaachi | ||||
| 1994 | Priyanka | |||
| Kooli | ||||
| Ilavarasi | ||||
| Saadhu | ||||
| Chinnamuthu | ||||
| Vaanga Partner Vaanga | ||||
| Asuran | ||||
| 1995 | Muthu | Tamil | ||
| Lucky Man | ||||
| Makkal Aatchi | ||||
| Kizhakkumalai | ||||
| Marumagan | ||||
| 1996 | Indira | |||
| Katta Panchayathu | ||||
| Vishwanath | ||||
| 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | |||
| Vaaimaye Vellum | ||||
| 1998 | Thalaimurai | |||
| Veerathaalaattu | ||||
| 1999 | Padayappa | Tamil | ||
| Pooveli | ||||
| Poomagal Oorvalam | ||||
| Ponnu Veettukaaran | ||||
| Kannupada Poguthaiya | ||||
| Endrendrum Kadhal | ||||
| 2000 | Vannathamizh Paattu | |||
| Azhagarsaamy | ||||
| 2001 | Friends | |||
| Narasimha | Manimaran | Tamil | ||
| 2002 | Baba | Tamil | ||
| Kaarmegam | ||||
| Kadhal Azhivathillai | ||||
| 2003 | Lesa Lesa | |||
| Dhum | ||||
| Kaadhaludan | ||||
| Kaalaatpadai | ||||
| 2004 | Gajendra | |||
| Vettom | inspector | malayalam | ||
| Oru Murai Sollividu | ||||
| Janaa | ||||
| 2006 | Chennai Kadhal | |||
| Kusthi | ||||
| Saravana | ||||
| 2007 | Kannamoochi Yenada | |||
| Mayakannadi | ||||
| Thirumagan | ||||
| Kalakkura Chandru | ||||
| 2008 | Ali Baba | |||
| Nayagan | ||||
| 2009 | Indira Vizha | judge sattanathan | ||
| 1977 | ||||
| Ainthaam Padai | minister | |||
| Madurai Sambavam | ||||
| Suriyan Satta Kalloori | ||||
| 2010 | Kutty | |||
| Dhairiyam | ||||
| Sura | church father | |||
| Kola Kolaya Mundhirika | dada thulakanam | |||
| Singam | duraisingam's father | |||
| Pen Singam | singaperumal | |||
| Thillalangadi | MLA | |||
| Naane Ennul Illai | ||||
| 365 Kadhal Kadithangal | ||||
| 2011 | Sattapadi Kutram | |||
| Kumara | ||||
| Vaanam | ||||
| Vidiyal | filming | |||
| Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu | filming | |||
| Surla | filming | |||
| Sethu Samudhiram | filming[2] | |||
| Nalvaravu | filming | |||
| Karuvarai Kutravaaligal | filming | |||
| Udhayaneram | delayed |