Radhika Kumaraswamy Explained

Radhika Kumaraswamy
Birth Name:Radhika Shetty
Birth Place:Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Other Names:Kutty Radhika (2003–2005)
Years Active:2002–present
Domesticpartner:Ratan Kumar (2000–2002)
H. D. Kumaraswamy (2006–2015)[1]
Children:1

Radhika Kumaraswamy (born Radhika Shetty) is an Indian actress and producer, who primarily appears in Kannada films. She made her acting debut in 2002 with the Kannada film Ninagagi. In 2012, she produced her first film, Lucky starring Yash under the name Shamika Enterprises.

Career

Radhika started her acting with the Kannada film Neela Megha Shama (2002) when she had completed her ninth class.[2] Her first release was Ninagagi, opposite Vijay Raghavendra, which was followed by Tavarige Baa Tangi, starring Shivrajkumar; both films were highly successful ventures. In 2003, she appeared in five Kannada films, including Hemanth Hegde's directorial debut Ooh La La;[3] Hudugigaagi, alongside S. P. B. Charan; Yograj Bhat's maiden feature film Mani, in which she played the daughter of a prostitute; Thayi Illada Thabbali and Mane Magalu, all of which were commercial failures.[4] In spite of the film's poor box office returns, Radhika's performance as Gowri in Thayi Illada Tabbali won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress.[5] [6]

Radhika subsequently began to work in Tamil cinema, acting in four Tamil films and one Telugu film (Bhadadri Ramudu) in quick succession.[7] Her debut Tamil film was S. P. Jananathan's award-winning debut directorial Iyarkai (2003). The Hindu in its review noted that Kutty Radhika as the "impulsive, immature and obdurate Nancy looks just right for the role".[8] Three of her four releases in 2005—Rishi, Masala and Auto Shankar—featured her alongside another lead female character.[9] Again in 2005 she appeared in Anna Thangi collaborating with the Tavarige Baa Tangi team, Shivrajkumar and Radhika again playing the elder brother and younger sister roles, respectively.[10]

The following year, she was again seen in five Kannada films and one Tamil film Ulla Kadathal, that remains her last Tamil release. On her performance in Hatavadi, Rediff.com's critic R. G. Vijayasarathy wrote: "Though this is essentially a Ravichandran film, it is to Radhika's credit that she stands up to a superb performance. Her emotions are perfect and she is presented very well on screen".[11] After the long-delayed devotional film Navashakthi Vaibhava (2008), that featured her as a goddess alongside eight other lead actresses she went on a 5-year hiatus.

Radhika has also worked as a film distributor and producer. She has acquired the distribution rights of her own film Anatharu (2007), co-starring Upendra and Darshan.[12] In 2008, she bought the rights of her film Ishwar, which was launched in 2007 as Narasimha,[13] and revived it,[14] although she was unsuccessful in releasing it.[15] She later established a production studio named Shamika Enterprises,[16] named after her daughter, and produced the film Lucky, starring Ramya and Yash.[17]

In 2013, she made a comeback to acting with Sweety Nanna Jodi which she also produced.[18] With regards to her performance, Sify stated: "Radhika...is a treat to watch and has given a brilliant performance"[19] while Rediff wrote: "Radhika looks ravishing and comes as a surprise for those who have watched her earlier films".[20]

Personal life

Born in Tulu speaking family, Radhika reportedly married Ratan Kumar at the Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel on 26 November 2000.[21] In April 2002, Ratan Kumar filed a complaint, alleging that Radhika's father Devraj had abducted her as he feared that news of her marriage may "jeopardise her career".[22] [23] Only a few days later, Radhika's mother wanted the marriage to be annulled as Radhika was just 13 1/2 years old and said that Ratan Kumar had forcibly married her. Devraj further claimed that Ratan had tried to burn Radhika alive.[24] Ratan Kumar died in August 2002, following a heart attack.

In November 2010, Radhika revealed that she was married to H.D. Kumaraswamy, former chief Minister of Karnataka.[25] [26] According to Radhika, they married in 2006[27] and have a daughter named Shamika.[28] [29]

Filmography

Year TitleRoleLanguageNotesRef
2002 Ninagagi Madhu
Neela Megha ShyamaNeelamegha[30]
Prema Khaidi Nandini
Romeo Juliet Anu
Thavarige Baa Thangi Lakshmi
2003 Thayi Illada Thabbali Gowri
Hudugigagi Chitra
Ooh La La Sowmya
Mane Magalu Janaki
Iyarkai Nancy
Mani GowriKannada
2004 Varnajaalam Anitha Tamil
Bhadradri RamuduSeetha
Meesai Madhavan Rani Tamil
2005 Rishi Spoorthi Kannada
Ulla KadathalRamyaTamil
Masala SonaKannada
Auto Shankar Gowri
Anna Thangi Lakshmi
2006 Mandya Ganga
Hettavara KanasuKanasu
Hatavadi Amisha
Good Luck Mandakini
Odahuttidavalu Alamelu
2007 Anatharu Manju
JanapadaRagha
Amrutha Vaani Sumathi
2008 Navashakthi Vaibhava Durga Parameshwari
2013 Sweety Nanna Jodi Priya
2014Avatharam Rajeshwari Telugu
2015 Rudra Tandava Jhanavi Kannada[31]
2019DamayanthiDamayanti
2022OppandaAnjali[32]
Ravi BopannaRadhika[33]
2023Bhaira DeviBhaira Devi/ AghoriPost -Production[34]
AjagrataSiriFilming[35] [36]

As producer

Year Film Ref
2012 Lucky [37]
2013 Sweety Nanna Jodi

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coastal Digest.
  2. News: Big time for li'l girl . https://web.archive.org/web/20060915193310/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/08/05/stories/2005080504150100.htm . dead . 15 September 2006 . Chennai, India . . 5 August 2005.
  3. News: Ooh La La La: Fun on the Kannada screen – The Times of India. The Times of India .
  4. Web site: A year of highs and lows - Deccan Herald. 21 May 2016. 3 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603235156/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/dec28/enter2.asp. dead.
  5. News: 'Chigurida Kanasu' bags 4 awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20121025053521/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-01-01/bangalore/27838036_1_awards-bags-jnanpith-winner . dead . 25 October 2012 . . 1 January 2005.
  6. News: Entry only to invitees at film awards function . https://web.archive.org/web/20070416004119/http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/15/stories/2005071511170500.htm . dead . 16 April 2007 . Chennai, India . . 15 July 2005.
  7. Web site: Welcome to Sify.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20091117222205/http://sify.com/movies/kannada/interview.php?id=13623912&cid=2404. dead. 17 November 2009. . 21 May 2016.
  8. News: Iyarkai . https://web.archive.org/web/20031126201846/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2003/11/21/stories/2003112101090201.htm . dead . 26 November 2003 . Chennai, India . . 21 November 2003.
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122444/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/article/17301.html IndiaGlitz – Radhika game for two-heroine films – Kannada Movie News
  10. Web site: Brother-sister duo is back - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition. 21 May 2016.
  11. Web site: Hatavadi: For Ravichandran fans and more. 21 May 2016.
  12. Web site: Going great guns. https://web.archive.org/web/20140905054632/http://www.sify.com/movies/going-great-guns-news-kannada-kkfuDijcedc.html?ref=false. dead. 5 September 2014. Sify. 21 May 2016.
  13. Web site: Controversial Radhika is back!. https://web.archive.org/web/20140906050808/http://www.sify.com/movies/controversial-radhika-is-back-news-kannada-kkfsyXcffch.html. dead. 6 September 2014. Sify. 21 May 2016.
  14. Web site: Radhika buys Ishwar. https://web.archive.org/web/20080214133836/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/article/36539.html. dead. 14 February 2008. 21 May 2016.
  15. News: I miss facing the arclights: Radhika Kumaraswamy . https://archive.today/20120715152210/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-31/news-interviews/30573334_1_radhika-kumaraswamy-films-lucky . dead . 15 July 2012 . . 31 December 2011.
  16. Web site: 2023-10-11 . Radhika Kumaraswamy's Brother Raviraj Turns Producer With Kannada Horror Film . 2023-10-23 . News18 . en.
  17. Web site: Radhika Kumaraswamy, Ramesh Aravind come together for Bhairadevi . 2023-10-23 . . en.
  18. Web site: Radhika Kumaraswamy isn't scared of competition. https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121204/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/radhika-kumaraswamy-isnt-scared-of-competition/433520-71.html. dead. 26 August 2014. News18. 21 May 2016.
  19. Web site: Review : Sweety- Nanna Jodi. https://web.archive.org/web/20131113015701/http://www.sify.com/movies/sweety-nanna-jodi-review-kannada-15042901.html. dead. 13 November 2013. Sify. 21 May 2016.
  20. Web site: Review: Sweety is a total family entertainer. 8 November 2013. Rediff. 21 May 2016.
  21. News: Actress Radhika's 'husband' dies of heart attack . https://web.archive.org/web/20130812053557/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-08-27/bangalore/27304079_1_heart-attack-private-complaint-films . dead . 12 August 2013 . . 27 August 2002.
  22. News: Court warrant to trace Kannada actress Radhika . https://web.archive.org/web/20131219035539/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-04-18/bangalore/27123197_1_kannada-actress-radhika-neela-megha-shyama-kannada-films . dead . 19 December 2013 . . 18 April 2002.
  23. Web site: Husband, father fight over actress. 20 April 2002 . 21 May 2016.
  24. Web site: 24 April 2002 . Husband's story flops, 'abducted' . 21 May 2016.
  25. News: I'm Mrs Kumaraswamy: Radhika . https://web.archive.org/web/20121106105335/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-21/news-interviews/28268608_1_radhika-actress-big-screen . dead . 6 November 2012 . . 21 November 2010.
  26. Web site: Radhika breaks her silence . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141128150924/http://www.sify.com/movies/radhika-breaks-her-silence-news-kannada-klxlkCgjacf.html?ref=false . 28 November 2014 . 21 May 2016 . Sify.
  27. Web site: From film industry to CM office: All you need to know about Karnataka's 'possible new CM' HD Kumaraswamy. 15 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180524151201/https://www.indiatvnews.com/elections/karnataka-assembly-elections-from-film-industry-to-cm-office-all-you-need-to-know-about-karnataka-s-possible-new-cm-hd-kumaraswamy-442329. 24 May 2018.
  28. Gowda. Aravind. Kumaraswamy in trouble. India Today. 10 April 2014.
  29. Web site: Radhika Kumaraswamy: Rads to filmi riches . 26 April 2017 . Deccanchronicle.com . 2018-05-27.
  30. Web site: Native . Digital . 2018-02-17 . Radhika Kumaraswamy teams up with Ramesh Aravind in 'Bhairadevi' . 2023-09-29 . The News Minute . en.
  31. News: Radhika Kumarswamy to play Lakshmi Menon in Rudratandava . The Times of India . 26 February 2014 . 3 March 2014.
  32. News: Kontract revived with many surprises. https://web.archive.org/web/20170401060830/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/mar/28/kontract--revived-with-many-surprises-1587068--1.html. dead. 1 April 2017. The New Indian Express. 31 March 2017. 29 March 2017.
  33. Web site: Radhika Kumarawamy in Rajendra Ponnappa. The New Indian Express. 2020-04-05.
  34. Web site: Radhika Kumaraswamy's Aghori look for Bhairadevi . 2020-04-05 . Cinema Express.
  35. Web site: Radhika Kumaraswamy, Shreyas Talpade team up for 'Ajagrata' . 2023-05-08 . The New Indian Express. 8 May 2023 .
  36. News: 2023-05-07 . Radhika Kumaraswamy and Shreyas Talpade team up for psychological crime thriller . The Times of India . 2023-05-08 . 0971-8257.
  37. Web site: Radhika Kumaraswamy, Ramesh Aravind come together for Bhairadevi . 2023-10-23 . . en.