Radha, born Udaya Chandrika on June 3, 1965, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a former Indian actress who dominated South Indian cinema during the 1980s. She predominantly appeared in Tamil and Telugu films, with notable work in Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, earning recognition as one of the top heroines from 1981 to 1991. Her career launched with the cult classic “Alaigal Oivathillai” (1981), and she went on to win the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for “Muthal Mariyathai” (1985) before retiring from films after her marriage to hotelier Rajasekaran Nair in 1991.
Radha Actress Early Life and Background
Radha was born as Udaya Chandrika on June 3, 1965, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. She comes from a film family, with her elder sister Ambika also being a prominent actress during the same era. The two sisters frequently acted together in numerous films during the peak of their careers in the 1980s.
Details about her parents and early childhood education are not publicly disclosed. She entered the film industry at the age of 16 in 1981. Her family background in cinema through her sister Ambika provided early exposure to the entertainment industry.
Radha Actress Age
Radha was born on June 3, 1965, making her 60 years old as of 2026. She retired from active film work in 1991 at the age of 26 after her marriage. Her film career spanned exactly one decade from 1981 to 1991.
Radha Actress Career
Film Debut and Early Success
Radha made her film debut in 1981 with director Bharathiraja’s Tamil film “Alaigal Oivathillai,” where she portrayed a Christian girl named Mary opposite debutant actor Karthik. The movie became a runaway hit and is regarded as a cult classic in Tamil cinema. For her debut performance, she won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Debut.
The on-screen chemistry between Radha and Karthik proved highly successful with audiences, leading to multiple collaborations including “Ilanjodigal” (1982), “Pakkathu Veetu Roja” (1982), “Valibamey Vaa Vaa” (1982), and “Nalla Thambi” (1985). These films established her as a leading actress in Tamil cinema.
Peak Career Years (1982-1991)
Throughout the 1980s, Radha dominated South Indian cinema across multiple language industries. She appeared in numerous commercially successful films including “Paayum Puli” (1983), “Japanil Kalyanaraman” (1985), “Amman Kovil Kizhakale” (1986), and “Kadhal Parisu” (1987). Her performance in “Muthal Mariyathai” (1985) as Kuyil earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil.
Radha worked extensively in Telugu cinema alongside major stars, appearing in films such as “Vicky Dada” (1989) with Nagarjuna and “Kondaveeti Donga” (1990) with Chiranjeevi. Her collaborations with Chiranjeevi were particularly popular, featuring hit songs and romantic sequences that remain memorable. She also appeared in Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films during this period.
In 1989, she portrayed Goddess Meenakshi in the devotional film “Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal”. Her final film appearances came in 1991 with “Shanti Enathu Shanti,” “Marupakkam,” and “Sigaram” before her retirement from cinema.
Who is Radha actress husband
Radha married hotelier Rajasekaran Nair on September 10, 1991, marking her retirement from films. Rajasekaran Nair is one of the biggest hoteliers in Kerala and a prominent businessman. He is also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In 2021, Radha joined the Bharatiya Janata Party alongside her husband. Rajasekaran Nair served as the BJP candidate from Neyyatinkara constituency for the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election. The couple has been married for over three decades and maintains a quiet life away from the film industry.
Radha Actress Family
Radha comes from a film family with her elder sister Ambika also being a famous actress during the 1980s. The sisters frequently acted together in films and were among the top heroines of their era. Details about her parents are not publicly disclosed.
Radha Actress Children
Radha and Rajasekaran Nair have three children:
- Karthika Nair – Born in 1992, their elder daughter who also entered the film industry as an actress
- Vignesh Nair – Born in 1995, their son
- Thulasi Nair – Born in 1997, their younger daughter who also pursued acting
Both daughters Karthika and Thulasi followed their mother’s footsteps into cinema. Radha has spoken publicly about being proud of her children in interviews. The family maintains close ties and occasionally appears together at public events.
Post-Retirement Life
After retiring from films in 1991, Radha embraced a quieter life focused on family. She transitioned from being a film star to taking on a familial role as wife and mother. Despite stepping away from acting, she remains connected to the entertainment industry through her daughters’ careers.
Radha occasionally makes public appearances at film events and interviews. She appeared as a special guest at the RRR Kerala Pre Release Event, where she surprised actors NTR and Ram Charan. She has also participated in television programs and given interviews reflecting on her career and memories of working with legendary music director SP Balasubrahmanyam.
Her home in Kerala has been featured in media coverage, showcasing her post-film life. Radha remains active on social media through fan pages that celebrate her 1980s film legacy. She has expressed pride in her children’s accomplishments and maintains a dignified presence when discussing her film career.
Political Involvement
In 2021, Radha joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alongside her husband Rajasekaran Nair. Her entry into politics came three decades after her retirement from cinema. Her husband contested the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election as the BJP candidate from Neyyatinkara constituency.
Her political affiliation represents a new chapter in her public life after years focused on family. The extent of her active involvement in party activities beyond membership has not been extensively documented.
Legacy
Radha remains one of the most recognized actresses from the golden era of South Indian cinema in the 1980s. Her films continue to be celebrated, with her songs and dance sequences remaining popular on digital platforms. The on-screen pairing with Karthik in Tamil cinema and collaborations with Chiranjeevi in Telugu cinema are particularly remembered by fans.
Her successful career spanning exactly one decade established her as a dominant force during the 1980s. She worked with major directors like Bharathiraja and K. Balachander, appearing in both commercial entertainers and critically acclaimed films. Her performance in “Muthal Mariyathai” is considered one of the finest acting achievements of that era.
Both her daughters entering the film industry demonstrates the lasting influence of her film family legacy. Fan communities continue to share photographs, videos, and memories from her extensive filmography across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema.