Veteran actor Radha Ravi has once again stirred controversy, this time with comments made at the audio launch of his upcoming film, Dawood.
His remarks, which drew a parallel between the necessity of on-screen violence for a film’s success and the content in superstar Rajinikanth’s hit movie Coolie, have ignited a heated debate among fans and on social media.
What Radha Ravi Said?
Speaking at the event for the film directed by Prashath Raman, Radha Ravi began in his characteristically candid style. “I was bedridden for two years after undergoing surgery on both my legs,” he stated. “In the film industry, you have to stay active. Otherwise, they’ll assume you’re finished and replace you.” Praising the Dawood film crew, he added, “This film doesn’t have ghosts, but it has plenty of violence. Because that’s what’s needed for a movie to succeed these days.”
The statement that has captured widespread attention was his direct reference to the 75-year-old icon, Rajinikanth. “Even a star of Rajinikanth’s stature has a film drenched in blood. ‘Coolie’ is the height of violence, which is why it received an ‘A’ certificate,” Radha Ravi declared. “When he himself is relying on bloodshed, who are we to differ? There’s nothing wrong with showing violence from the very beginning of the film.”
This comment is being widely interpreted as a veiled assertion that violence has become an indispensable element for box office success in modern Tamil cinema.
The son of the legendary actor M.R. Radha, Radha Ravi has built a career not only on his versatile performances as a villain and character artist but also on his outspoken and often inflammatory remarks.
Much like his father, he is known for his unfiltered opinions, which have frequently landed him in trouble. His history includes a long list of controversial statements about female actors and political issues. This is not the first time he has publicly commented on Rajinikanth, with his opinions oscillating between praise and criticism over the years.
Meanwhile, Rajinikanth continues to be a dominant force in Tamil cinema, even after five decades in the industry. He remains a formidable competitor to younger actors, having shattered conventional hero stereotypes in the 1980s with his unique style. Since cementing his status as an action hero with films like Murattu Kaalai, high-octane fight sequences have been a staple of his movies.