One of the most successful actresses of South Indian cinema, Radha has acted in over 200 films in a career spanning over four decades. Beginning her career in the early ‘80s with Tamil cinema and went on to appear in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi movies. After impressing the audience with her debut movie Alaigal Oivathillai opposite Karthik, she went on to act in movies such as Pakkathu Veetu Roja, Valibamey Vaa Vaa, Ilanjodigal, Tik Tik Tik, and Jappanil Kalyanaraman. Called as the Saroja Devi of the ‘80s, Radha dominated the Tamil film industry in the ‘80s and was often regarded as the uncrowned Queen of Kollywood. The actress, along with her husband Rajasekaran Nair, also owns a chain of restaurants in Mumbai and the hotel - UDS.
Personal Life
It was on 10th of September 1991 that Radha married to hotelier Rajasekaran Nair. The couple’s first child, a daughter, Karthika, born in 1992, is also an actor. They also have two more children Vignesh and Thulasi, who is also an actress. Her sister Ambika is also an actress.
Movie Career
It was in 1981 that director Bharathiraja spotted her and cast her in the movie Alaigal Oivathillai. The movie went on to become a huge hit at the box office and Radha’s performance was much appreciated as well. Her on-screen chemistry with another debutant Karthik caught the attention of many filmmakers and the duo would later be paired in several successful movies including Ilanjodigal (1980, Pakkathu Veetu Roja (1982), and Valibamey Vaa Vaa (1982). However, it was the 1981 movie Tik Tik Tik, in which Radha appeared in a supporting role, that proved to be one of the most important roles of her career. Although a minor role opposite Kamal Haasan, it paved way for movies such as Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey (1983), Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985), and Japanil Kalyanaraman (1985). Soon, Radha began to work with only the top directors and actors of the industry and chose her roles meticulously. She delivered a number of hits with actor Vijayakanth with movies such as Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986), in which she essayed the role of a wealthy girl oblivious to her real identity, Uzhavan Magan (1987), and Meenkashi Thiruvilayadal (1989). In the first half of 1989, Radha appeared alongside Rajinikanth in the action comedy film Rajadhi Raja directed by R. Sundarrajan. The movie that released on March 4, 1989, went on to become a blockbuster and re-established Rajinikanth as the top actor of Kollywood. This was the last film that Radha starred with Rajinikanth and it ran for more than 150 days in several theaters. By the late 1980s, Radha had established herself as one of the top actresses of South Indian cinema. While she found success in the Tamil film industry, Radha simultaneously starred in Telugu movies as well. After making her Telugu language film debut in 1982 with the movie Mr. Vijay, the actress, in the next few years, went on to star in several movies alongside Chiranjeevi such as Goonda (1984), Naagu (1984), Donga (1984), Puli (1985), Rakta Sindhuram (1985), and Adavi Donga (1985). As a lead actress, Radha has been paired with Chiranjeevi in more than 15 films. In the 1985 Telugu movie, Agni Parvatam, which was one of the most successful films of the year Radha essayed the role of Lully, the daughter of Indrasena Varma (Rao Gopal Rao). However, some of her most prominent roles in Telugu cinema came with the movies Yamuduki Mogudu (1988), State Rowdy (1989), and Ramudu Bheemudu (1988). In 1990, Radha starred in Kondaveeti Dhonga, which is the first Telugu film to be released on a 70 mm 6-track Stereophonic Sound. Deemed as technically brilliant, the movie opened to positive reviews at the box office. In the same year, Radha starred in another movie alongside Chiranjeevi, Kodama Simham, an action-western directed by K. Murali Mohan Rao. The movie that successfully ran in over 200 theaters for 100 days is the first South Indian movie to be dubbed in English: titled Hunters of The Indian Treasure. Few of her Malayalam movie credits include Mortuary (1983), Revathikkoru Pavakkutty (1986), Ayitham (1987), and Innathe Programme (1991). The actress also made her Kannada debut in 1984 with the movie Digvijaya and has appeared in movies such as Savira Sullu (1985), Usha (1986), and Ranachandi (1991). Besides South Indian films, Radha also appeared in Hindi movies such as Fauladi Mukka (1983), Kaamyaab (1984), Vicky Dada (1989) and Trinetra (1989).
TV Career
Radha has been the judge of the sixth season of the dance reality show named Star Vijay Jodi Number One.