Radikaa Sarathkumar may have been a star kid but, during her times, star kids were treated very differently. While there is no doubt she has worked her way up, she also acknowledges the role of good fortunes in bringing to her some amazing projects during the peak of her career. RadikaaSarathkumarunderstands that the way she talks and behaves has intimidated many people, but believes that for a woman to survive in the film industry, being tough is the only way to be successful. As we sit down to speak with her, it is hard not to notice the tenacity in her heart and mind, as well as eyes that speak kindness.
Vaanam Kottattum was the deal breaker for Sarath and me.
Vaanam Kottattum is a critically-acclaimed film of 2020 starring Radikaa, Sarathkumar, Aishwarya Rajesh and Vikram Prabhu in lead roles. Radikaa and Sarathkumar’s acting was so compelling that it moved the audience to tears. Talking about her journey of creating Chandra, the single mother, Radikaa says, “It was a beautifully-written character and the director was very focused. He knew what he wanted,” says Radikaa adding, “The first person who received the script was Sarath and he told me that the team wanted us both to do the film.”
Radikaa and Sarathkumar were approached with several scripts to do a film together in the past but they remained unconvinced. However, with Vaanam Kottattum, the script called out to them. “If you look at the film, it seems to be quite the opposite of Asuran. In Asuran, the son goes out to take revenge and the father goes along with him to protect the son, whereas, in Vaanam Kottattum, the father goes for revenge, goes through a grueling prison life and in the end, ends up advising the son to never get into violence because it affects the future,” adds Radikaa.
Ironically, it rained every time we shot for Vaanam Kottattum.
The film used rain as a character to display every emotion in this film, including happiness, love, sadness, and anger. “You may not believe this, but the film was fittingly named Vaanam Kottattum and every time we shot, it would rain. After the rain season ended, we had to shoot a patchwork and just when the camera was set, it started to rain. So, all the emotions came naturally. There is a frame where I am sitting and watching the rain, which was indeed real,” says Radikaa.
Sarath and I never talk about films at home.
Radikaa and Sarathkumar may be terrific actors but at home, they are just parents to their kids who are more interested in having fun. “Sarath and I never talk about films at home. At times we get to talking about directors but that is the end of it for us. Have you looked at how our kids talk and laugh? (laughs),” says Radikaa smiling.
