Radhika Kumaraswamy
Born
Radhika Shetty

Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Other namesKutty Radhika (2003–2005)[1]
Occupations
  • Actress
  • film producer
Years active2002–present
Partner(s)Ratan Kumar (2000–2002)
H. D. Kumaraswamy (2006–2015)[2]
Children1

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.[3] Her first release was Ninagagi, opposite Vijay Raghavendra, which was followed by Tavarige Baa Tangi, starring Shivrajkumar; both films were highly successful ventures.[3] In 2003, she appeared in five Kannada films, including Hemanth Hegde's directorial debut Ooh La La;[4] Hudugigaagi, alongside S. P. B. Charan; Yograj Bhat's maiden feature film Mani, in which she played the daughter of a prostitute;[3] Thayi Illada Thabbali and Mane Magalu, all of which were commercial failures.[5] 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.[6][7]

Radhika subsequently began to work in Tamil cinema, acting in four Tamil films and one Telugu film (Bhadadri Ramudu) in quick succession.[8] 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".[1] 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,[13][14] although she was unsuccessful in releasing it.[15] She later established a production studio named Shamika Enterprises,[16] named after her daughter,[citation needed] 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.[21]

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 Title Role Language Notes Ref
2002 Ninagagi Madhu Kannada
Neela Megha Shyama Neelamegha [30]
Prema Khaidi Nandini
Romeo Juliet Anu
Thavarige Baa Thangi Lakshmi
2003 Thayi Illada Thabbali Gowri Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
Hudugigagi Chitra
Ooh La La Sowmya
Mane Magalu Janaki
Iyarkai Nancy Tamil
Mani Gowri Kannada
2004 Varnajaalam Anitha Tamil
Bhadradri Ramudu Seetha Telugu
Meesai Madhavan Rani Tamil
2005 Rishi Spoorthi Kannada
Ulla Kadathal Ramya Tamil
Masala Sona Kannada
Auto Shankar Gowri
Anna Thangi Lakshmi
2006 Mandya Ganga
Hettavara Kanasu Kanasu
Hatavadi Amisha
Good Luck Mandakini
Odahuttidavalu Alamelu
2007 Anatharu Manju
Janapada Ragha
Amrutha Vaani Sumathi
2008 Navashakthi Vaibhava Durga Parameshwari
2013 Sweety Nanna Jodi Priya
2014 Avatharam Rajeshwari Telugu
2015 Rudra Tandava Jhanavi Kannada [31]
2019 Damayanthi Damayanti
2022 Oppanda Anjali [32]
Ravi Bopanna Radhika [33]
2023 Bhaira Devi† Bhaira Devi/ Aghori Post -Production [30][34]
Ajagrata† Siri Filming [35][36]

Television

Year Show Role Channel Notes
2017 Dance Dance Juniors Judge Star Suvarna

As producer

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

References

  1. ^ a b "Iyarkai". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 21 November 2003. Archived from the original on 26 November 2003.
  2. ^ "Coastal Digest".
  3. ^ a b c "Big time for li'l girl". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 5 August 2005. Archived from the original on 15 September 2006.
  4. ^ "Ooh La La La: Fun on the Kannada screen – The Times of India". The Times of India.
  5. ^ "A year of highs and lows - Deccan Herald". Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  6. ^ "'Chigurida Kanasu' bags 4 awards". The Times of India. 1 January 2005. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012.
  7. ^ "Entry only to invitees at film awards function". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 July 2005. Archived from the original on 16 April 2007.
  8. ^ "Welcome to Sify.com". Sify. Archived from the original on 17 November 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  9. ^ IndiaGlitz – Radhika game for two-heroine films – Kannada Movie News
  10. ^ "Brother-sister duo is back - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  11. ^ "Hatavadi: For Ravichandran fans and more". Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Going great guns". Sify. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Controversial Radhika is back!". Sify. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Radhika buys Ishwar". Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  15. ^ "I miss facing the arclights: Radhika Kumaraswamy". The Times of India. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy's Brother Raviraj Turns Producer With Kannada Horror Film". News18. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy, Ramesh Aravind come together for Bhairadevi". Cinema Express. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy isn't scared of competition". News18. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  19. ^ "Review : Sweety- Nanna Jodi". Sify. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  20. ^ "Review: Sweety is a total family entertainer". Rediff. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Actress Radhika's 'husband' dies of heart attack". The Times of India. 27 August 2002. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013.
  22. ^ "Court warrant to trace Kannada actress Radhika". The Times of India. 18 April 2002. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013.
  23. ^ "Husband, father fight over actress". 20 April 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  24. ^ "Husband's story flops, 'abducted'". 24 April 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  25. ^ "I'm Mrs Kumaraswamy: Radhika". The Times of India. 21 November 2010. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012.
  26. ^ "Radhika breaks her silence". Sify. Archived from the original on 28 November 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  27. ^ "From film industry to CM office: All you need to know about Karnataka's 'possible new CM' HD Kumaraswamy". 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018.
  28. ^ Gowda, Aravind. "Kumaraswamy in trouble". India Today. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  29. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy: Rads to filmi riches". Deccanchronicle.com. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  30. ^ a b Native, Digital (17 February 2018). "Radhika Kumaraswamy teams up with Ramesh Aravind in 'Bhairadevi'". The News Minute. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Radhika Kumarswamy to play Lakshmi Menon in Rudratandava". The Times of India. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  32. ^ "Kontract revived with many surprises". The New Indian Express. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  33. ^ "Radhika Kumarawamy in Rajendra Ponnappa". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 April 2020.[dead link]
  34. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy's Aghori look for Bhairadevi". Cinema Express. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy, Shreyas Talpade team up for 'Ajagrata'". The New Indian Express. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  36. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy and Shreyas Talpade team up for psychological crime thriller". The Times of India. 7 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  37. ^ "Radhika Kumaraswamy, Ramesh Aravind come together for Bhairadevi". Cinema Express. Retrieved 23 October 2023.

External links



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Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
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