Radha Ravi

Radha Ravi was born to the well-known actor M. R. Radha and Dhanalakshmi Ammal.[3] 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.

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.[4]

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.[5][6]

He rejoined the AIADMK in 2010 in the presence of J. Jayalalithaa at her residence and remained inactive in the party.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8]

He joined the AIADMK again in June 2019 in a meeting with Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, after he was expelled out of the DMK.[9]

He left AIADMK and Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in November 2019 on a meet with the party's president JP Nadda in Chennai.[4] On July 15, actor and politician Radha Ravi was made the state Executive Member by BJP's Tamil Nadu president, L Murugan.[10] 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.[11] His comments drew wide criticism.[12] Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) lodged a complaint with Election Commission regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct for his speech.[13] During the same campaign he passed lewd comments and slut shamed against Nayanthara.[14]

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.[15] 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.[11] Singer Chinmayi claimed that Radha Ravi had expelled her from the dubbing union because she had exposed him in the #MeToo movement.[16][17]

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.[18][16]

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.[19] 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 Thottumkal 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".[20]

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".[21]

Between 1987 and 2015, Radha Ravi was heavily involved in the Nadigar Sangam.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]

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.[25]

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.[26]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

• Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize – Solaikuyil (1989)
• Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male) – Oru Murai Sollividu (2004)

Edison Awards

• Edison Award for Best Character role (Male) – Iraivi (2016)