- In this Indian name, the name "Mohan Rajagopala Naidu Radhakrishnan" is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, "MR Radha".
| Mohan Rajagopala Naidu Radhakrishnan | |
|---|---|
| File:Mrradha.gif | |
| Born | February 21, 1907 |
| Other name(s) | Nadiga vel |
| Occupation | Actor |
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Mohan Rajagopala Naidu Radhakrishnan (21 February 1907 - 17 September 1979), popularly known as M. R. Radha, was an Indian actor and politician. He was given the title of "Nadigavel" for his acting prowess. After a successful career on stage in his early years, he acted in films from the 1930s to the '70s, and then, giving up films, he went back to his first love, theater.
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Career
Radha gained popularity with the success of his stage play Rattha Kanneer. When he acted in the film version of the play, he quickly gained star status. Ratha Kanneer gave Radha international recognition and an award, he thus becoming the second Tamil actor after Sivaji Ganesan to get it. Recently, Ratha Kanneer has been remade using star Upendra from Karnataka.
After seeing his performance in Ratha Kanneer, actor Raj Kapoor commented that in versatility and projection of character role, Radha was a class apart from other actors. Actor Dev Anand once said that only Sivaji Ganesan could match Radha's performance and versatility, while Sivaji Ganesan himself referred to Radha and Balaiah as two actors whose talents he probably could not match. Sivaji Ganesan had earlier declined to accept the lead role in Ratha Kanneer when it was made into a film, saying that only Radha could do justice to it. Superstar Mohanlal regarded Radha as the best actor in Indian Cinema[citation needed]. Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna once reflected that no actor in Bollywood could match Radha's performance. Telugu legendary actor N.T. Rama Rao had commented that if Telugu Cinema had a Radha, a Nagesh, a M.N. Nambiar, or a Manorama, that would have added a new dimension to it.
With his versatile acting, Radha played roles of both villains and comics. After the 1950s, Radha acted in most of the released Tamil movies.[citation needed] Film-makers created roles especially for him, and he often stole the limelight from other actors. He was an active member of the Dravidian movement, and was known for his atheistic views. Towards the end of his career, however, he started acting in Hindu devotional movies like "Velum Mayilum Thunai" and made fun of atheists.
Personal life
Radha had simultaneous relationships with many women, fathering children with them. His children include actors M. R. R. Vasu and Radha Ravi. Popular actress Radhika Sarathkumar was his daughter from his fourth wife of Sri Lankan origin.
Radha once shot screen idol M. G. Ramachandran, the shooting being attributed to professional rivalry. Ramachandran survived the shooting.
Filimography
- Ratha kanneer
- Aayiram Roobai
- Kaikodutha Deivam
- Paava Mannippu
- Chithi
- Pudhiya Paravai
- Bale Pandiya
- Petraldhan Pillaya
- Thaikku Pin Thaaram
- Kumudam
- Karpagam
- Thayai kaatha thanayan
- Paasam
- Paalum Pazhamum
- Pattinathar
- Padithal Mattum Podhuma
- Naanum Oru Penn
- Koduthu Vaithaval
- Aalayamani
- Santhanathevan.
- Velum Mayilum Thunai
External links
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