Raadhikaa Sarathkumar is an Indian actress, entrepreneur and producer who works predominantly in the Tamil and Telugu cinema. She also starred in Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada during her career. She is the founder and CP of the Radaan Mediaworks India Limited and doing serials in most of the south Indian languages.
Personal life
Raadhika is the daughter of the late Tamil actor and comedian, M. R. Radha and Geetha. Raadhika did her education in India, and the United Kingdom. She has a younger sister Nirosha, who is also an actress and two younger brothers Raju and Mohan. She has also have an older stepbrother Radha Ravi.
Raadhika married actor Sarathkumar on 4 February 2001. They had been friends before their marriage and had been paired in two films: Namma Annachi (1994) and Suryavamsam (1997). The couple has a son named Rahul born in 2004.
Her daughter Rayane got married to Cricketer Abhimanyu Mithun in 2016. Raadhika became a grandmother in 2018 when Rayane gave birth to a son.
Career
She made her cinematic debut in 1978 Tamil Movie Kizhakke Pogum Rail. Then she started acting in many Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam films.
She has also produced a film titled Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai (1985), which won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director.
She was awarded Best Telugu Actress for Nyayam Kavali (1981), Best Tamil Actress for Dharma Devathai (1986), Neethikku Thandanai (1987) and Keladi Kanmani (1990).
After becoming successful in cinema, Raadhika wanted to do something different and decided to take on the small screen, a venture that everyone thought was a mistake she would regret. But determined to pursue something she believed in, namely producing her own TV software under the Radaan Mediaworks, she started the same in 1994. After some initial hiccups, the company re-emerged successfully as Radaan Mediaworks (I) Ltd in 1999, and by 2008, had an annual turnover exceeding.
She was a judge on Vijay TV’s Jodi Number One Season 4.
She produced serials such as Idi Katha Kadu (Telugu), Chitti, Annamalai, Selvi, Arasi, Chellamay, Vani Rani, Thamarai and Chithi – 2.
In September 2019, she was awarded as “Nadigavel Selvi” during audio launch of Market Raja MBBS.
She has won 1 – National Film Awards (Producer) , 6 – Filmfare Awards Souths , 3 – Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, 1 – Cinema Express Awards and 1 – Nandi Awards.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Award Category | Work | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Nyayam Kavali | Won | |
| 1985 | National Film Awards | Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai (Producer) | Won | |
| 1986 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Tamil | Dharma Devathai | Won | |
| 1987 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Tamil | Neethikku Thandanai | Won | |
| 1988 | Cinema Express Awards | Best Actress | Paasa Paravaigal Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran |
Won | |
| 1988 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Special Award for Best Actress | Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran | Won | |
| 1989 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Actress | Ninaivu Chinnam | Won | |
| 1990 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Tamil | Keladi Kanmani | Won | |
| 1995 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Special Award for Best Actress | Pasumpon Rani Maharaani |
Won | |
| 1999 | Nandi Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Prema Kadha | Won | |
| 2008 | Vivel Chinnathirai Award | Vivel Chinnathirai Award for Best Actress | Arasi | Won | |
| 2010 | Sun Kudumbam Viruthugal | Sun Kudumbam Best Overall Performance Award | Arasi | Won | |
| 2012 | Sun Kudumbam Viruthugal | Sun Kudumbam Special Jury Award for Best Actress | Chellamay | Won | |
| 2014 | Sun Kudumbam Viruthugal | Sun Kudumbam Viruthugal for Best Actress | Vani Rani | Won | |
| 2014 | Filmfare Awards South | Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South | Contribution | Won | |
| 2015 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Tamil | Thanga Magan | Won | |
| 2015 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Thanga Magan | Won | |
| 2016 | Provoke Lifestyle Awards | TV Sensation of the year | Various Serials | Won |
Filmography
Tamil films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Kizhakke Pogum Rail | Panchaali | |
| 1979 | Inikkum Ilamai | Lakshmi | |
| 1979 | Niram Maaratha Pookkal | Raadhika | |
| 1979 | Mugathil Mugam Parkalam | ||
| 1979 | Velum Mayilum Thunai | Valli | |
| 1979 | Anbae Sangeetha | ||
| 1980 | Enga Ooru Rasathi | ||
| 1980 | Soolam | Annamma | |
| 1980 | Chinnasiru Kiliye | ||
| 1980 | Anna Paravai | ||
| 1980 | Ethir Veetu Jannal | ||
| 1980 | Chinnajiru Kiliye | ||
| 1980 | Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam | Neelu | |
| 1980 | Kalam Bathil Sollum | Rani | |
| 1980 | Bhama Rukmani | Bhama | |
| 1980 | Ilamai Kolam | ||
| 1980 | Idhayaththil Ore Idam | ||
| 1980 | Paruvathin Vasalile | ||
| 1980 | Thai Ponggal | ||
| 1980 | Malargale Malarungal | ||
| 1980 | Kumari Pennin Ullathile | Devi Bala | |
| 1981 | Kannitheevu | Selvi | |
| 1981 | Indru Poi Naalai Vaa | Jaya | |
| 1981 | Magarantham | ||
| 1981 | Thiruppangal | ||
| 1981 | Rathathin Rathame | ||
| 1981 | Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru | ||
| 1982 | Pokkiri Raja | Rakkayi | |
| 1982 | Poi Satchi | ||
| 1982 | Vadivangal | ||
| 1982 | Ranga | Ganga | |
| 1982 | Iniyavale Vaa | ||
| 1982 | Nandri, Meendum Varuga | Guest appearance | |
| 1982 | Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal | ||
| 1982 | Thottal Sudum | ||
| 1982 | Moondru Mugam | Rekha | |
| 1982 | Metti | Preetha | |
| 1982 | Mamiyara Marumagala | ||
| 1983 | Veetula Raman Veliyila Krishnan | Jaya | |
| 1983 | Neethibathi | Devi | |
| 1983 | Urangatha Ninaivugal | ||
| 1983 | Nenjodu Nenjam | ||
| 1984 | Anbulla Rajinikanth | Herself | |
| 1984 | Dhavani Kanavugal | ||
| 1984 | Osai | ||
| 1984 | Vamsa Vilakku | Radha | |
| 1984 | Nallavanuku Nallavan | Uma | |
| 1984 | Nilavu Suduvathillai | Shanthi / Charu | |
| 1985 | Paasa Paravaigal | Uma | |
| 1985 | Nermai | Radha | |
| 1985 | Pillai Nila | Dolli | |
| 1985 | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Sarasu | |
| 1985 | Pagal Nilavu | Thulasi | |
| 1985 | Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri | Bhagyalakshmi | |
| 1985 | Neethiyin Marupakkam | ||
| 1985 | Naan Ungal Rasigan | ||
| 1985 | Deiva Piravi | ||
| 1985 | Raja Rishi | Thilothamai | |
| 1986 | Dharma Devathai | Jhansi Rani | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil |
| 1986 | Machakkaran | ||
| 1986 | Sippikkul Muthu | Lalitha | |
| 1987 | Sirai Paravai | Valli | |
| 1987 | Rettai Vaal Kuruvi | Radha | |
| 1987 | Veerapandiyan | Meena | |
| 1987 | Neethikku Thandanai | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil | |
| 1987 | Puyal Padum Pattu | ||
| 1987 | Per Sollum Pillai | Seetha | |
| 1987 | Oorkavalan | Vadivu | |
| 1987 | Uzhavan Magan | Selvi | |
| 1988 | Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye | ||
| 1988 | Sudhanthira Nattin Adimaigal | ||
| 1988 | Poovum Puyalum | ||
| 1988 | Paadatha Thenikkal | ||
| 1988 | Therkathi Kallan | Radha | |
| 1988 | Paasa Paravaigal | Adv. Uma Shankar | |
| 1988 | Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran | Sivagami | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize |
| 1988 | Nallavan | Collector Ponni | |
| 1988 | Ithu Engal Neethi | ||
| 1988 | Manamagale Vaa | Chitra/Rasathi | |
| 1988 | Thenpandi Seemayile | ||
| 1988 | Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum | Sandhya | |
| 1989 | Thendral Sudum | ||
| 1989 | Kaval Poonaigal | ||
| 1989 | Kai Veesamma Kai Veesu | ||
| 1989 | Uthama Purushan | Guest appearance | |
| 1989 | Paasa Mazhai | Ganga | |
| 1989 | Thaai Naadu | Julie | |
| 1989 | Idhu Unga Kudumbam | ||
| 1989 | Ninaivu Chinnam | Bhagyam | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1990 | Keladi Kanmani | Sharada | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil |
| 1990 | Pagalil Pournami | ||
| 1990 | Pattanamdhan Pogalamadi | ||
| 1990 | Jodi Senthachu | ||
| 1991 | Tamizh Ponnu | ||
| 1992 | Naane Varuven | Dr. Raadhika | |
| 1992 | Kalikaalam | Janaki | |
| 1993 | Kizhakku Cheemayile | Virumaayi | |
| 1993 | Puthiya Thendral | ||
| 1993 | Karpagam Vanthachu | Karpagam | |
| 1994 | Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana | Lakshmi | |
| 1994 | Namma Annachi | Gayathri | |
| 1994 | Pavithra | Pavithra | |
| 1994 | Pudupatti Ponnuthayi | Ponnuthayi | |
| 1994 | Mettupatti Mirasu | Meenakshi | |
| 1994 | Veera Padhakkam | Thangamma | |
| 1995 | Pasumpon | Nachiyar | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize |
| 1995 | Rani Maharaani | Rani | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize |
| 1995 | Puthiya Aatchi | Vivekanandan’s wife | |
| 1995 | Villadhi Villain | Parvathi (Bombai Maami) | |
| 1995 | Udhavum Karangal | Bhavani | |
| 1995 | Raasaiyya | Madhavi | |
| 1995 | Naan Petha Magane | Indra | |
| 1995 | Ragasiya Police | Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu | |
| 1996 | Karuvelam Pookkal | Vadivu | |
| 1997 | Sakthi | Seethalakshmi | |
| 1997 | Suryavamsam | Sakthivel Gounder’s Wife | |
| 1998 | Kaadhale Nimmadhi | Bhagyam | |
| 1998 | Veera Thalattu | Pandian’s mother | |
| 1998 | Jeans | Sundaramba | |
| 1998 | Golmaal | Guest appearance | |
| 1998 | Sandhippoma | ||
| 1998 | En Aasai Rasave | Azhagurani | |
| 1998 | Senthooram | Devaatha | |
| 1998 | Ellame En Pondattithaan | ||
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Ramathaayi | |
| 1999 | Poomagal Oorvalam | Saravanan’s adoptive mother | |
| 1999 | Sivan | Sivagami | |
| 1999 | Amarkalam | Ganga | |
| 1999 | Ethirum Pudhirum | Dr. Jayanthi | |
| 1999 | Tajmahal | Maayan’s aunt | |
| 1999 | Siragugal | Valli | Telefilm |
| 2000 | Sudhandhiram | Advocate Padmini | |
| 2000 | Karuvelam Pookkal | Vadivu | |
| 2000 | Uyirile Kalanthathu | Meenakshi | |
| 2002 | Roja Kootam | Malar | |
| 2007 | Kannamoochi Yenada | Dhamayanthi | |
| 2008 | Pandhayam | Masanam’s Wife | |
| 2008 | Saroja | Herself | Special appearance |
| 2012 | Saguni | Ramani | |
| 2013 | Chennaiyil Oru Naal | Gautham’s wife | |
| 2014 | Poojai | Rajalakshmi | |
| 2015 | Naanum Rowdydhaan | Meena Kumari | |
| 2015 | Thangamagan | Thamizh’s mother | SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil |
| 2016 | Theri | DCP Vijay Kumar’s mother | |
| 2016 | Dharma Durai | Pandiyamma | |
| 2017 | Singam 3 | Ramakrishna’s wife | |
| 2017 | Mupparimanam | Herself | Cameo appearance |
| 2017 | Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae | Parvathy | |
| 2017 | Ippadai Vellum | Madhu’s mother | |
| 2019 | Mr Local | Easwari | |
| 2019 | Market Raja MBBS | Sundhari Bai | |
| 2020 | Vaanam Kottatum | Chandra | |
| 2021 | Pirandhal Parasakthi | TBA | Filming |
| 2021 | Oh Andha Naatkal | Radha | Delayed |
| 2021 | Dhruva Natchathiram | TBA | Delayed |
| 2021 | Jail | TBA | Filming |
| 2021 | Kuruthi Aattam | TBA | Filming |
Telugu films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Nyayam Kavali | Bharathi Devi | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
| 1981 | Radha Kalyanam | Radha | |
| 1981 | Kirayi Rowdylu | Jyothi | |
| 1981 | Dabbu Dabbu Dabbu | ||
| 1981 | Priya | Priya | |
| 1982 | Idi Pellantara | ||
| 1982 | Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu | Chandramathi | |
| 1982 | Billa Ranga | ||
| 1982 | Yamakinkarudu | Radha | |
| 1982 | Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu | Lalithamba | Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
| 1982 | Mondi Ghatam | Latha | |
| 1982 | Kayyala Ammayi Kalavaari Abbayi | ||
| 1982 | Trisulam | Yadi | |
| 1982 | Mettala Savvadi | ||
| 1982 | Eenadu | ||
| 1983 | Prema Pichollu | Prema | |
| 1983 | Bezawada Bebbuli | ||
| 1983 | Palletoori Monagadu | Santhi | |
| 1983 | Abhilasha | Archana | Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
| 1983 | Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu | Sarada | |
| 1983 | Sivudu Sivudu Sivudu | ||
| 1983 | Puli Bebbuli | Sita’s sister | |
| 1983 | Gudachari No.1 | Rekha | |
| 1983 | Simhapuri Simham | Mrs. Rajasekharam | |
| 1983 | Todu Needa | Radha | |
| 1983 | Moodu Mullu | ||
| 1983 | Raju Rani Jackie | Rani / Jackie | |
| 1983 | Mugguru Monagallu | ||
| 1984 | Hero | Mrs. Rajasekharan | |
| 1984 | Srimathi Kaavali | Jaya | |
| 1984 | Yuddham | Raja’s mother | |
| 1984 | Babulugaadi Debba | Gowri | |
| 1984 | Kondaveeti Nagulu | ||
| 1984 | Bava Maradalu | ||
| 1984 | Abhimanyudu | ||
| 1984 | Ammayiloo! Preminchandi! | ||
| 1984 | Punyam Koddi Purushudu | ||
| 1984 | Anubandham | Malli | |
| 1984 | Gruhalakshmi | ||
| 1985 | Mangalya Balam | ||
| 1985 | Jwala | ||
| 1985 | Ragile Gundelu | Radha | |
| 1985 | Illale Devata | Lakshmi | |
| 1986 | Swathi Muthyam | Lalitha | Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
| 1986 | Jeevana Poratam | ||
| 1986 | Bandham | ||
| 1986 | Santhi Nivasam | ||
| 1986 | Jailu Pakshi | ||
| 1986 | Ravana Brahma | Radhika | |
| 1986 | Kotigadu | ||
| 1987 | Aranyakanda | Poornima | |
| 1987 | Donga Mogudu | Seetha | |
| 1987 | Sardar Dharmanna | ||
| 1987 | Ummadi Mogudu | ||
| 1987 | Karthika Pournami | ||
| 1987 | Aradhana | Gangamma | |
| 1987 | Aatma Bandhuvulu | ||
| 1987 | America Abbayi | ||
| 1987 | Nyayaniki Sankellu | ||
| 1987 | Marana Homam | ||
| 1988 | Aanimuthyam | Prasanthi | |
| 1988 | Anna Chellelu | ||
| 1988 | Dharma Teja | ||
| 1990 | Raja Vikramarka | Maya | |
| 1990 | Idem Pellam Baboi | Jhansi | |
| 1992 | Swathi Kiranam | Sarada | |
| 1994 | Palnati Pourusham | Maya | Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
| 1997 | Aaro Pranam | ||
| 1997 | Kutumba Gouravam | ||
| 1998 | Suryavamsam | Vasundhara | |
| 1998 | Abhishekam | Vijay’s Mother | |
| 1999 | Arundhati | ||
| 1999 | Prema Katha | Subhadra | Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2000 | Vamsoddharakudu | Varalakshmi | |
| 2017 | Raja the Great | Constable Anantha Lakshmi | Nominated-SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress (Telugu) |
Hindi films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Hamare Tumhare | Sonia | |
| 1986 | Asli Naqli | Vijay’s sister | |
| 1986 | Naseeb Apna Apna | Chando Singh | |
| 1987 | Kudrat Ka Kanoon | Aarti Verma / Miss Julie Singh | |
| 1990 | Aaj Ka Arjun | Laxmi | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1990 | Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai | Roopa P. Chandra | |
| 1993 | Tum Karo Vaada | Soniya | |
| 1998 | Himmatwala | Kiran | |
| 1999 | Lal Baadshah | Mrs. Ranbhir Singh |
Malayalam films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Bharyaye Aavashyamundu | – | |
| 1983 | Justice Raja | Anitha | |
| 1985 | Koodum Thedi | Devi | |
| 1985 | Makan Ente Makan | Sujatha | |
| 1991 | Chavettupada | ||
| 1993 | Arthana | Bharathi | |
| 2017 | Ramaleela | Ragini | |
| 2019 | The Gambinos | Mamma | |
| 2019 | Ittymaani: Made in China | Annamma Plamootil |
Kannada films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Prachanda Kulla | Rajakumari | |
| 1985 | Jeevana Chakra | Uma | |
| 1987 | Sathyam Shivam Sundaram | ||
| 1991 | Nagini | Doctor | Dubbed into Hindi with same name. |
As Voice actress
- Radha – Mudhal Mariyathai (1985)
- Lissy – Vikram (1986)
- Ranjini – Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986)
- Nirosha – Senthoora Poove (1988), Inaindha Kaigal (1990)
- Rajashree – Karuthamma (1994)
As producer
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Dham | Telugu | |
| 2004 | Jai | Telugu | Dubbed into Tamil as Jai Ram |
| 2005 | Jithan | Tamil | |
| 2006 | Thalaimagan | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Kannamoochi Yenada | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Chennaiyil Oru Naal | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Pulivaal | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Sandamarutham | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Maari | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Idhu Enna Maayam | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Annadurai | Tamil |
Television
As actress
| Year | Series/Show | Channel | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Penn | DD | ||
| 1999 | Idhi Katha Kadhu | ETV Telugu | Telugu Serial | |
| Siragugal | Sun TV | Valli | Television movie | |
| 1999–2001 | Chithi | Saradha / Sakthi | Dubbed in Telugu as Pinni, Dubbed in Sinhala as Punchi. Dual role | |
| 2002 | Ammayi Kaapuram | Gemini TV | Bhavani Devi | Telugu Serial Replaced by Ranjitha |
| 2002–2005 | Annamalai | Sun TV | Annamalai | Dubbed in Telugu as Sivayya |
| 2005–2006 | Selvi | Selvi | Dubbed in Telugu as Lakshmi and in Malayalam as Chechi | |
| 2007–2009 | Arasi | Senthamizharasi / Selvi | Dubbed in Telugu and Malayalam as Jhansi. Dual role | |
| 2009–2013 | Chellamay | Chellamma | Dubbed in Telugu as Chittemma | |
| 2011 | No.23 Mahalakshmi Nivasam | Gemini TV | Mahalakshmi | |
| 2013 | Puriyaamal Pirinthom | MediaCorp Vasantham | Priya | Singapore Tamil drama broadcast on MediaCorp Vasantham |
| 2013–2018 | Vaani Rani | Sun TV | Vaani / Rani | Dual role, Dubbed in Telugu and Malayalam |
| 2018–2019 | Chandrakumari | Chandrakumari / Chandra | Dubbed in Telugu and Malayalam Replaced by Viji Chandrasekhar |
|
| 2020–2021 | Chithi – 2 | Saradha | After 22 Years, Chithi’s Reboot Version, Dubbed in Telugu as Pinni 2 | |
| 2021 | Thirumagal | Saradha Shanmugapriyan | Mahasangamam with Chitti 2 |
As Host
| Year | Program | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Thangavettai | Sun TV | Tamil Game show |
| Bangaram Mee Kosam | Gemini TV | Telugu game show | |
| 2019–2020 | Kodeeswari | Colors Tamil | Tamil Game show |