, the videoconferencing company, has netted about $1 billion on an investment it made in artificial intelligence startup Anthropic PBC in early 2023.The total value of ’s stake in the rapidly ascendant AI company is worth about $1.27 billion, according to a regulatory filing Friday
Bolivian riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in La Paz on Friday (May 22, 2026) for the second time in a week as unions and Indigenous groups pressed their calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down. Demands for the business-friendly conservative to resign have persisted despite
A fire broke out at an oil depot in the southern Russian port of Novorossiysk following a Ukrainian drone attack, the city's mayor said on Saturday (May 23, 2026). "As a result of falling UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) debris, a fire broke out at the oil depot
A newt dawn: Wknd talks to Whitley awardee Barkha Subba about her fight for salamandersThey walked among the dinosaurs. Now, they are in danger. There may be only 5,000 Himalayan salamanders left in the wild in India, Subba says. Published on: May 23
Indian woman praises China’s cleanliness, questions civic sense in India: ‘You won’t find a single wrapper’An Indian woman said China’s cleanliness proved civic sense mattered more than population. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:03 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An
Nita Ambani left in splits as student slips Mumbai Indians joke into DAIS graduation speechA Mumbai Indians joke cracked by the head boy of the DAIS' 2026 graduating class left the entire auditorium, including Nita Ambani, laughing. Published on: May 23
Kerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaignKerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaign Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced a comprehensive statewide
Chopper crash near Leh: Injured major general poses, pilot flashes 'victory' sign in viral selfieAn Army Cheetah chopper crashed near Leh in eastern Ladakh last week. An image from the crash site is now viral. Updated on: May 23, 2026 2:36 PM IST By Rahul Singh Share via Copy link Three days after
Radikaa Sarathkumar pulls off ₹75-crore ‘Thaai Kizhavi’ power move
Radikaa Sarathkumar pulls off ₹75-crore ‘Thaai Kizhavi’ power move
Thaai Kizhavi, revolving around the elderly Pavunuthaayi (effortlessly essayed by Radikaa Sarathkumar), has grossed more than ₹75 crore worldwide at the box office, powered by women and family audiences. Released last month and running successfully in theatres, the film, directed by Sivakumar Murugesan and produced by actor Sivakarthikeyan, will likely drop on JioHotstar in April.
What is being seen as a bigger power move is that Radikaa, as part of her contract, has received a share in the film’s profit, thus becoming the first actress in the history of Tamil cinema to do so. “I said I wanted to be paid more, because I deserve it. And, we decided on profit sharing. I think all actors should follow this. So many younger actresses have called to say this gives them immense confidence. All I tell them is to build your space, and hold on to it,” says the actress.
Radikaa knows the importance of the space she is speaking about. The actress, who has made a mark across film industries in India (primarily Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada) and ruled regional television for many years, beginning with the serial Chithi, has come a long way from her debut as Paanjali in Bharathiraja’s 1978 Tamil hit Kizhakke Pogum Rail. Hindi-film watchers will recall her as Rishi Kapoor’s naive village-wife with an upturned plait from Naseeb Apna Apna (1986). In the 48 years since her debut, she’s been exploring new frontiers and paving paths. She also won a National Award in 1985 for producing the poignant Meendum Oru Kaadhal Kadhai. And, with Thaai Kizhavi, she proved that a progressive film headlined by a 63-year-old woman can rake in the moolah, too.
Thaai Kizhavi releases on JioHotstar in April.
Pavunuthaayi speaks of why women must be educated, prudent and good with finances, and also enjoy their life. An interesting montage shows this matriarch of Usilampatti watching movies, blowing bubbles during her outings to the city. Radikaa says she had almost rejected the film at first. “After reading the script, I was certain I’d be typecast. But Sivakumar showed up at my office for a year and a half, hoping to persuade me. I agreed on the condition that the prosthetics be good. The depth of my role — something so empowering — mattered more to me than the screen time. I was able to own my character’s identity. And, people saw her truth. It is possible to make a choice without being boxed.”
Age is just a number
Radikaa, whose social media pages celebrate every aspect of her life, including grandmotherhood, says, “I don’t think I become less interesting with age. I look at things differently. I don’t want to be the youngest in the frame, but I want my presence to bring more strength to the frame.”
A still from Thaai Kizhavi.
A Radikaa-starrer doing well at the box office is important because films are not very kind to ageing heroines. “It usually meant disappearance, a quiet exit into oblivion. Strong roles were written for women. But someone was deciding what women need to do in movies. Which is why I decided I would be in control, and started my own production company after my mentor Bharathiraja’s Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993), which gave me a fresh lease in films. The television serial Chithi transformed how people saw me,” she says.
The last two years have been kind to elderly female characters. 2024 saw Urvashi shine in J Baby and Geetha Kailasam in the much-celebrated Angammal. And 2026 has Thaai Kizhavi.
A still from Thaai Kizhavi.
The actress says she was lucky to work in the ’80s, when “we were allowed to make mistakes and learn”. Even today, she remains a student of cinema. “I look forward to going on set. I prepare. I don’t even see the monitor. I look at the director’s face. That tells me what I need to know.” That is why she decided at 10.30 pm one night to redub for Thaai Kizhavi. “I could then see the joy on Sivakumar’s face.”
Among friends, Radikaa is known for her sense of humour. However, on screen and off, she is regarded as a strict teacher. “In the public space, when someone crosses a line with me or anyone else, I put them in place. That’s my right. Many yesteryear heroines have told me they feel protected when I am with them. As celebrities, our work is owned by people, but no one owns us.”
A still from Thaai Kizhavi.
When Radikaa, who also grew up in London, entered the film industry, her Tamil was far from perfect. Over the years, with countless roles set in the hinterland, she came to be identified as a solid performer. Her stint in Telugu helped hone her craft. Among her memorable films are Chiranjeevi-starrer Nyayam Kavali (1981) and Kamal Haasan-starrer romantic drama Swathi Muthyam (1986). If she ‘performed’ in ‘serious’ movies, she played herself in films where she was the ‘modern girl’ — her Radha of the Tamil film Rettai Vaal Kuruvi (1987) is one for the ages. Her fashion sense shone through. “I see fashion differently, influenced by the years I grew up abroad. In films, the first major hurdle was fighting over the clothes I’d wear. Eventually, I took ownership — I would sit with fabric, telling costumers how to cut pants and style an ensemble,” she smiles.
Radikaa Sarathkumar in a still from Thaai Kizhavi.
As a veteran actress, Radikaa makes use of the goodwill she’s garnered over the years to indulge in plain-speaking. “Every time I’ve heard or seen someone behave badly with anyone, I’ve raised my voice. Now, people know that with me, they’ll only get an honest opinion. However, at times, I am diplomatic too,” says Radikaa, who contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Virudhunagar as a BJP candidate.
Being a ‘thinking actress’ is difficult even today, Radikaa concurs. “Most men in cinema are intimidated by me. In any gathering, there’s this one woman who laughs out loud, who jokes, but you cannot cross a line with her. I think that is the only deterrent that works. That said, today’s heroines are much smarter than we were.”
She has charmed Gen Z, too, with her progressive take on family. Radikaa gets along very well with her actor-turned-politician husband R. Sarathkumar’s former wife Chaya Devi and daughters Varalaxmi (an actress) and Pooja.
“Coming from a broken family and having seen how we were treated, I did not want anyone to feel left out,” says the daughter of the late legendary actor and politician M.R. Radha and Geetha.
Radikaa Sarathkumar with her late mother Geetha, a Sri Lankan Tamil; (right) with her father, legendary actor and politician M.R. Radha. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Radikaa insists on rephrasing the time-tested question of why fewer roles are written for women. “Ask why people don’t write scripts featuring them. Figure out how to write layered scripts. I kept asking Sivakumar how he managed to write such a mature script at his age (36). OTT has opened up options for nuanced content. We need to find our space and stand tall,” she says, adding that “Women are trying to push themselves. They’ve trusted their path, broken barriers. They are the change.”
The writer is a Mangaluru-based entertainment journalist covering Tamil and Kannada cinema.
Published - March 24, 2026 09:34 am IST
The Hindu Sunday Magazine / comedy films / Actor / Tamil cinema
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: How to effortlessly transfer music from Spotify 5 Fit Celebrity Moms Slaying In Their Glamourous Avatar Effortlessly - In Pics Bengaluru Airport Terminal 2 Has ‘Revolving Restaurant’ Himachal Pradesh Woman Slaps Elderly Man Elderly duo’s first ride in a self driving car wins hearts Woman, Daughter Get Life Term For Murder Of Elderly Family Member Elderly Woman Eats Tandoori ‘Mamoj’ With Spicy Sauce Elderly Man Collapses Inside Temple Doctors Share Key Tips To Protect Elderly Family Members From Diwali Smoke And Noise Two US men plead guilty to helping Indian call centres scam elderly Americans
Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face off in a crucial IPL clash, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Both teams need a win, but their fate also depends on other results. KKR's strong recovery contrasts with DC's reliance on KL Rahul
1 days ago
Some of the most useful lessons I learnt as a young restaurateur came from New York restaurateur Danny Meyer’s book Setting the Table. He writes beautifully about the guest who comes in alone. Most diners come in with an agenda — to impress a date, close a deal
1 days ago
The Union government told the Supreme Court on Friday that 217 Indian nationals had joined the Russian military during the war in Ukraine, of whom 139 have been released from their contractual agreements, The Hindu reported. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench headed by Chief
1 days ago
Hamza Burhan, a key operative linked to the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Al-Badr, who also worked as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) during the Pulwama terror attack period, was killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Thursday. Several wanted Pakistan-based terrorists
1 days ago
Nothing says summer quite like a chilled, fruity mocktail. As temperatures continue to rise, refreshing drinks packed with tropical flavours, citrusy notes, and vibrant ingredients are becoming the perfect way to cool down. Whether you are hosting a weekend brunch, planning a house party
1 days ago
Producer Vashu Bhagnani has lashed out at David Dhawan and his actor-son Varun Dhawan. On Friday, Vashu held a press conference in Mumbai and claimed that the storyline of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is similar to Biwi No.1. Released in 1999
1 days ago
Hyderabad, May 23 (PTI) A lawyer died after being hit by a car outside his residence here in a suspected case of pre-planned murder, police said on Saturday. The 63-year-old victim was about to get into his car when the car hit him at his residence at Masab Tank here.Hyderabad
1 days ago
Raghav Chadha has been appointed the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha chairman reconstituted the committee and nominated ten members. This appointment takes effect from May 20, 2026. Dr. Menaka Guruswamy has also been nominated to the Joint Committee on
1 days ago
Formula 1’s silly season has arrived early, and we have Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies to thank for it. The Frenchman doubled down on his explosive claim that Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is heading to McLaren to eventually become team principal
1 days ago
The blue-collar town that’s set to decide Britain’s next Prime MinisterLabour left-winger Andy Burnham wants to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. First, he must convince the Makerfield voters and fend off Reform UK. Published on: May 23
1 days ago
Human beings are not just shaped by their actions, but they are also creatures of circumstance. This is especially true in the sporting world, where athletes’ performance not only depends on their quality but also on who the rivals are, their prevailing standards of excellence and the setting in
1 days ago
Do you have greasy flakes on nose and scalp? Dermatologist explains what you are doing wrongSeborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that manifests in the form of greasy flakes on the nose and scalp. Dr Abigail Waldman shares what to do. Updated on: May 23
1 days ago
Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these daysWar, inflation and worries about the AI boom haven’t kept stocks from setting records. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:27 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these days
1 days ago
Fuel prices have surged for the third time in eight days. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes the government, accusing it of "looting" citizens. He highlights international examples where countries provided relief. India's petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly Rs 5 per litre
1 days ago
Ballia (UP), May 23 (PTI) A court here has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife and dumping her body in a pond in 2019 after the couple remained childless, police said on Saturday. According to the prosecution, Nepal Paswan
1 days ago
Delhi street vendor’s profound take on gender equality goes viral: ‘Spitting truth’The Delhi street vendor’s reaction to being asked, “Are women oppressed?” has won the internet’s hearts. Published on: May 23, 2026 9:18 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link A local street
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Sharara sets are the ultimate festive trend for Eid al-Adha: Choose from these picks under ₹3000From pastel embroidered sets to regal Banarasi shararas
1 days ago
‘Most earnings spent on buying water’: Outdoor workers bear brunt of Delhi heatIn Delhi’s 45 degrees Celsius heat, outdoor workers say there is little room to stop. Updated on: May 23, 2026 10:29 AM IST By Anita Goswami | Reported by Aaditya Khatwani Share via Copy link As Delhi sweltered
1 days ago
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence on Friday (May 22, 2026), saying she needed to step away as her husband battles cancer. She is the fourth Cabinet official to depart during Mr. Trump’s second term. In her resignation letter
1 days ago
A recently arrested man accused of links with Iran-backed terror networks allegedly plotted to assassinate US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump in an attempt to avenge the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in the recent US-Israeli strikes
1 days ago
Alone in her bedroom, six-year-old Emilia laughs at jokes told by kids on the other side of the world and listens to stories told by a lively adult voice.The tales and gags - many baffling to adult ears - are emitted by a , one of a growing class of sound-only gadgets for young children
1 days ago
Fat loss coach shares the cardio routine that helped her lose weight from 84 to 54 kg sustainablyWalking or HIIT? Here’s a cardio routine shared by a fitness coach you can follow to lose weight and get in shape. Published on: May 23, 2026 10:54 AM IST By Anukriti Srivastava Share via Copy link
1 days ago
IITian founders offer ₹50,000/month to candidate who asked for ₹35,000 salaryIn a video, the IITian founders explained why they decided to pay a higher salary than what the candidate asked for. Published on: May 23, 2026 10:59 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link In a refreshing
1 days ago
said on Friday there were no imminent new US tariffs expected to be imposed on semiconductors, but that it was important to protect the sector with duties to facilitate reshoring of chip production.Greer, speaking at a memory chip plant expansion project in the Washington, D.C., suburbs
1 days ago
The United States on Friday (May 22, 2026) temporarily banned the entry of lawful permanent residents who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, citing concerns over Ebola. U.S. citizens
1 days ago
Marco Rubio India Visit Live Updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on Saturday on his first official visit to India, ahead of high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi later in the day. Confirming his arrival
1 days ago
Every Indian summer comes with its own set of rituals, rising temperatures, nostalgic family vacations, afternoon siestas, and of course, mangoes finding their way into almost every meal imaginable. But in recent years, mango season has evolved far beyond household indulgence
1 days ago
