M. R. Radha

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" (King of acting) by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy.[1] He mostly played villain roles, but had also acted in several films as comedian.

M. R. Radha
Radha in his later years
Born
Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan

(1907-04-14)14 April 1907
Died17 September 1979(1979-09-17) (aged 72)
Other namesNadigavel
Occupation(s)Actor, politician
Spouses
  • Saraswathi
  • Dhanalakshmi
  • Premavathi
  • Jayammal
  • Geetha
Children11 (including M. R. R. Vasu, Radha Ravi, Raadhika and Nirosha)
Parents
  • Rajagopalan (father)
  • Rajammal (mother)
RelativesVasu Vikram
(Son of M. R. R. Vasu)
FamilyM. R. Radha family

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.

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 played the villain to actors like M.G. Ramachandran 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 eyewitness 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 is a Telugu and traces his roots back to Tirupati.[10] He 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, M. R. Radha Ravi and M.R. Radharajoo. Radhakrishnan also had seven daughters, including Rashya, Rani and Rathi born to Dhanalakshmi; Ganavalli, Kasturi, Rajeswari born to Jaya; and two daughters (actresses Raadhika 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 Satyavaani

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 [11]

1960s

Year Film Role Ref.
1960 Aadavantha Deivam Malaiyappan
1960 Rathinapuri Ilavarasi
1960 Ondrupattal Undu Vazhvu
1960 Kadavulin Kuzhandhai
1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Manickam
1960 Kairasi Kumar
1961 Paava Mannippu Aalavandhar
1961 Kongunattu Thangam
1961 Sabaash Mapillai
1961 Kumudham
1961 Nallavan Vazhvan Nalasivam
1961 Paalum Pazhamum
1961 Panam Panthiyile
1961 Thaai Sollai Thattadhe
1961 Pangaaligal
1962 Naagamalai Azhagi
1962 Pattinathar
1962 Mangaiyar Ullam Mangatha Selvam
1962 Madappura
1962 Sarada
1962 Valar Pirai
1962 Thayai Katha Thanayan
1962 Ethaiyum Thangum Ithaiyam
1962 Ellorum Vazhavendum Guest Appearance
1962 Padithal Mattum Podhuma Kailasam
1962 Bale Pandiya Kabali and Amirthalingam Pillai
1962 Kannadi Maaligai
1962 Paadha Kaanikkai
1962 Mahaveera Bheeman Guest Appearance
1962 Kudumba Thalaivan Velayudam Pilai
1962 Kathiruntha Kangal
1962 Paasam
1962 Kavitha
1962 Thendral Veesum
1962 Indira En Selvam
1962 Muthu Mandapam
1962 Sengamala Theevu
1962 Aalayamani Aatkondan Pillai
1963 Kadavulai Kanden
1963 Koduthu Vaithaval
1963 Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum Sadanandam
1963 Iruvar Ullam Gnana Sigamani
1963 Kattu Roja
1963 Mani Osai
1963 Lava Kusa Guest Appearance
1963 Periya Idathu Penn Kailasam Pillai
1963 Aasai Alaigal
1963 Naanum Oru Penn
1963 Idhayathil Nee
1963 Anandha Jodhi Punniya Kodi
1963 Paar Magaley Paar Nataraj
1963 Neethikkupin Paasam
1963 Kalyaniyin Kanavan
1963 Kaanchi Thalaivan
1963 Karpagam
1963 Parisu
1963 Puratshi Veeran Pulithevan
1964 Vettaikkaran Sundaram
1964 Pasamum Nesamum
1964 En Kadamai Tharumalingam
1964 Pachchai Vilakku Rajabaadhar
1964 Kai Kodutha Deivam
1964 Magaley Un Samathu
1964 Arunagirinathar
1964 Vazhi Piranthadu
1964 Puthiya Paravai Rangan
1964 Ullasa Payanam
1964 Aayiram Roobai
1964 Bobbili Yuddham Hyder Jung
1964 Thaayin Madiyil
1965 Pazhani Kalyanam
1965 Shanti
1965 Hello Mister Zamindar Azhagirisamy
1965 Paditha Manaivi
1965 Sarasa B.A.
1965 Vazhikatti
1965 Enga Veettu Penn
1965 Thazhampoo
1965 Anandhi
1966 Chitthi Periyasami Pillai
1966 Chandrodayam Duryodhanan [12]
1966 Petralthan Pillaiya Kabali

1970s

Year Film Role Notes
1974 Samaiyalkaran
1976 Dasavatharam Hiranya Kashipu
1978 Mela Thalangal
1978 Panchabootham
1978 Vandikkaran 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. 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.
  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.
  9. Majordasan. "Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema – M. R. Radha". Kalyanamalai. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA908Gd-H9s&t=820s
  11. Guy, Randor (31 January 2015). "Bhagapirivinai 1959". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  12. Guy, Randor (9 January 2016). "Blast from the past: Chandhrodhayam (1966)". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
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