She started her acting career while she was still a ninth grade student. Her debut film Ninagagi produced by Padma Vibhushan awardee Ramoji Rao is still considered as one of the most popular tales of romance between two friends, in Sandalwood. This Mangaluru beauty has come a long way in the industry, and now she dons the hat of producer and star mother with elan. Radhika Kumaraswamy, who stunned everyone with her previous outstanding performances in Sweety Nanna Jodi and Rudratandava, is back with a new Kontract to dance her way into the hearts of fans. In an exclusive interview with Bengaluru Chronicle, Radhika Kumaraswamy talks about her first-ever trilingual venture, her plans ahead, secrets behind her beauty, her cute little daughter Shamika K. Swamy, and more.
“After producing and acting in Sweety Nanna Jodi under our own banner Shamika Enterprises, I had the opportunity to act in Rudratandava, and fortunately, it did well at the box office. Thereafter, I took a little break vacationing around. I was holidaying in Kerala, but there were reports back in Bengaluru saying that I have settled in London, and am not in Bengaluru anymore. That was when I heard the Kontract script, and the subject suited me well. Both my family and I were happy with the script so I took up this Kontract. Also, it sends a clear message to all my fans and well-wishers that I am very much here, and have not gone anywhere,” says Radhika Kumaraswamy.
The film Kontract which is simultaneously made in three languages — Kannada, Telugu and Tamil features Radhika in the lead along with Action King Arjun Sarja, J D Chakravarthy, Aamir Khan’s brother Faizal Khan, and is directed by Sameer. The crew has finished the first leg of the shoot in Kolhapur. On rumours that she will not act in films anymore, Radhika set rumour mills right, saying that she will act and produce interesting projects. “I have several dream projects on my mind that I want to make into reality. It is just that I do not wish to announce them suddenly, and if some plans do not go well, my fans and well-wishers will be left disappointed. So, I prefer giving them a big surprise. In fact, I will soon announce something spectacular. Let it be a surprise for now,” she smiles.
With stunning acts and super dance moves in her previous two films post the delivery of her baby girl, Radhika has inspired several women in the industry with her immense fitness and beauty secrets. However, the actress reveals that she likes to keep it simple. “I do not go to beauty salons. I just eat healthy, use natural products. I also do not follow any strict diet. All I do is ensure my weight is under check, so I eat home food with loads of veggies and If I weigh more then I just cut down on my favourite chocolates. I practice dance every day which is also my kind of exercising. Nowadays, it is my daughter Shamika who is my dance partner and she motivates me,” says Radhika.
Her daughter, Shamika K Swamy, who is studying in the second grade is her biggest fan, and the doting mother adds, “My daughter calls me akka, not Amma. In fact, she never calls me amma. My brother calls me akka, and now Shamika seems to have followed suit. Now, that she understands what cinema and show business is about, she says she is my biggest fan, and loves how I look onscreen,” the beautiful mother concludes, saying that she will continue to act and work hard to make her dreams come true.
