Radha Ravi

In this Indian name, the name Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ravi.

Radha Ravi
Radha Ravi in 2016
Born	Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan Ravi (1953-07-29) 29 July 1953 (age 71) Tiruchirapalli, Madras State, India
Alma mater	The New College, Chennai
Occupation(s)	Actor, politician
Years active	1976–present
Works	Full list
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse	Bhagyalakshmi
Children	2
Parent(s)	M. R. Radha Dhanalakshmi
Relatives	Radha family
Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office 2001–2006
Preceded by	V. Perumal
Succeeded by	G. Senthamizhan
Constituency	Saidapet

Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan Ravi is an Indian actor and politician^[1] who played supporting roles throughout his career. He is the son of actor M. R. Radha and the uncle of Vasu Vikram and half-brother of Radhika. He is a former chief member of the Tamil Nadu Film Artistes' Association. He is known for his roles as antagonists in Tamil films and a he acted in the serial Chellamae. He is also known for his controversial criticism of other film personalities.^[2]

He was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Saidapet in 2001 as a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He is one of the current state executive member of Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party.

Career

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.

Controversies

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. Radha Ravi has also made misogynistic remarks on multiple occasions in public. Once he said he would have opportunity to rape Aishwarya Rai if he had known Hindi.^[4]

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.^[5][6] He slut-shamed Nayanthara again in 2021.^[4]

Radha Ravi has faced multiple accusations at the Dubbing Union and he had been 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.^[7] 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".

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".^[8]

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".^[9]

Between 1987 and 2015, Radha Ravi was heavily involved in the Nadigar Sangam.^[10] 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.^[11] 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.^[12]

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.^[13]

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.^[14]

Political career

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.^[15]

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.^[16][17]

He rejoined the AIADMK in 2010 in the presence of J. Jayalalithaa at her residence and remained inactive in the party.^[17]

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.^[18]

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.^[19]

He joined the AIADMK again in June 2019 in a meeting with Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, after he was expelled out of the DMK.^[20]

He left AIADMK and Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in November 2019 on a meet with the party's president JP Nadda in Chennai.^[15] On July 15, actor and politician Radha Ravi was made the state Executive Member by BJP's Tamil Nadu president, L Murugan.^[21] 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.^[22] His comments drew wide criticism.^[23] Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) lodged a complaint with Election Commission regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct for his speech.^[24] During the same campaign he passed lewd comments and slut shamed against Nayanthara.^[25]

Allegations of sexual harassment

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.^[26] 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.^[22] Singer Chinmayi claimed that Radha Ravi had expelled her from the dubbing union because she had exposed him in the #MeToo movement.^[6][27]

Awards

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)

Filmography

Main article: Radha Ravi filmography

References

1. "AIADMK fields Radha Ravi in Saidapet". Indiatimes. 2 May 2002. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
2. The man who brought dignity and grace to villainy – TAMIL NADU Archived 15 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine. The Hindu. Retrieved on 30 December 2016.
3. Refrains, old and new Archived 17 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The Hindu. Retrieved on 30 December 2016.
4. Arunachalam, Jayashree (24 November 2023). "Hello, misogyny, my old friend: This week, Mansoor Ali Khan and Tamil news channels". Newslaundry. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
5. Vasudevan, Lokpria (25 March 2019). "DMK suspends Radha Ravi for his misogynistic remarks against actress Nayanthara". India Today. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
6. Ians (26 March 2019). "Radha Ravi is a repeat offender, says actor Vishal". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
7. Palansamy, Yiswaree. "South Indian actor Radha Ravi's 'datukship' not from Melaka govt, official says | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
8. "Asin complains..." Behindwoods. 3 July 2010. Archived from the original on 1 October 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
9. "Radharavi takes on A R Rahman". Chennaionline.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
10. "The Strike of 1997". Indolink Tamil. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
11. "Sarath Kumar elected unopposed to top post". The Hindu. 31 July 2006. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
12. Pillai, Sreedhar (19 September 2015). "Battle for Kollywood". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
13. Staff Reporter (4 March 2017). "Disability groups condemn Radha Ravi's derogatory remarks". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
14. "Radha Ravi makes fun of Pollachi sexual assault, gets blasted for distasteful remarks". India Today. 24 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
15. "Party-Hopper Radha Ravi, Notorious for Misogyny, Joins BJP". The Quint. 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
16. Ramakrishnan, T. (12 June 2019). "Radha Ravi rejoins AIADMK". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
17. "Actor Radha Ravi back in AIADMK". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
18. TNM Staff (March 2017). "Actor Radha Ravi leaves AIADMK to join DMK, claims party enjoys people's confidence". The news minute. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
19. Staff Reporter (25 March 2019). "DMK suspends actor Radha Ravi for making misogynistic remarks against actor". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
20. "Suspended from DMK for derogatory comments on Nayanthara, Radha Ravi joins AIADMK". thenewsminute.com. 12 June 2019. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
21. "Controversial actor Radha Ravi made BJP's state executive member from Chennai". The News Minute. 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
22. "BJP's Radha Ravi takes a dig at Kamal Haasan's personal life at campaign rally". The News Minute. 28 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
23. "Radha Ravi's comment on Kamal's personal life draws flak". dtNext.in. 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
24. "TN Assembly polls - MNM lodges complaint against Radha Ravi". The Hindu. 1 April 2021. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
25. "Radha Ravi slut shames Nayanthara again, Chinmayi says she's sick of him". Hindustan Times. 1 April 2021. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
26. "Here is the list of south film industry stars who have spoken out on MeToo". The News Minute. 10 October 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
27. "Chinmayi to fight against Radha Ravi for the President post in Dubbing Union election". India Today. 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021.