Radhika Kumaraswamy: Rad'iant in her role play

This actress who hails from the serene coastal surrounds of Tulunadu, started her journey almost 16 years ago, and ruled hearts with her outstanding versatility. From acting to dancing gracefully on the silver screen and her handful of Tamil and Telugu films, she was at her best. While she took a short break from movies after giving birth to her daughter — Shamika Kumaraswamy, the gorgeous hudugi bounced back big time with some breathtaking dance moves in her comeback production venture — Sweety Nanna Jodi. Now, Radhika Kumaraswamy has three films in her kitty including one by her own production house — Baira Devi, which is being made simultaneously in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. Apart from these films, Radhika is also part of the Crazy Star Ravichandran-starrer suspense thriller Rajendra Ponnappa and the long-pending film Contract with Action King Arjun Sarja.

It is a rarity for an actress to get back to films after motherhood while retaining the same demand and craze in the industry, and Radhika has done so with grace. She talks about her favourite dance partner, preferred get-aways and life as a mother, actress and producer.

“After my last film Rudra Tandava, I decided to wait for sensible projects with good scripts, but something better happened all of a sudden and we started Baira Devi which we initially thought of making only in Kannada. However, we realised that the subject was very apt for both Tamil and Telugu too. Director Sreejay of the RX Suri fame is directing this film in all three languages and it stars Ramesh Arvind Sir, myself, Anu Prabhakar, Skanda Ashok and others,” says Radhika.

Radhika is producing and and acting simultaneously in three languages, for the first time in Baira Devi. The actress is also getting offers to work in Malayalam films. “I have been getting so many offers to work in Malayalam but right now, I have three films and hope that this year atleast two of them release,” Radhika says.

While producing films, acting and being a judge for a dance reality show has kept her busy, she says that it is her daughter and her family that her life revolves around. “Shamika Kumaraswamy, my daughter admires my dancing and acting skills. She is very fond of watching me dress up and get ready for films or any events. She appreciates everything I do as an actress. I usually get back home in the evening after the shoot (to spend time with her) and only when I go for outdoor shooting, she misses me. That apart, she is my best dancing partner,” smiles the doting mother.

Explaining how she started learning dance during childhood, Radhika recalls, “I have never learnt dance formally or attended any classes. I learnt it by watching others perform on television and films. I would come back home, and imitate their style. That is how I learnt the art. Shamika does the same, and imitates by watching dance on television. She likes to dance with me. We both dance together very often, and it also helps us learn. She is my cutest and best dancing partner,” Radhika smiles.

The actress is sharing the screen with Crazy Star in Rajendra Ponnappa, and she elaborates, “I am eagerly awaiting its release. I will be seen in a never-before-seen avatar. It is a gripping tale of suspense, and it is always a privilege to work with such an icon and ambassador of love in Sandalwood — Ravichandran Sir.”

A reserved and introverted person, her personal life revolves around her family and she ensures she takes a break during Shamika’s vacations. “Initially, her demand list of destinations during vacation would be nearby places like Mumbai, all within India but these days she comes up with a long list, picking them from her conversations with school friends. The list now heads towards international waters — Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and so on,” she signs off.