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R. Sarathkumar
Born	Sarathkumar Ramanathan (1954-07-14) July 14, 1954 (age 58)[1] New Delhi, India
Residence	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Journalist, film actor, politician, body builder
Years active	1986—present
Spouse(s)	Chaya (1984–2000) Raadhika Sarathkumar (2001–present)
Children	Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Pooja Rahul Rayanne Hardy

Sarathkumar Ramanathan (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian journalist, film actor, politician, body builder and the president of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association, popularly known as Supreme Star among his fans and well wishers. Sarath has acted in about 130 films over a period of more than a couple of decades. He started his career in Tamil cinema playing negative roles, and later played minor roles before establishing himself as a lead actor in the subsequent years earning him the title Supreme Star in Tamil cinema.^[2] He was first chosen for the lead role in Suriyan. He has won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South. In 2007 he began a new political party All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) in Tamil Nadu claiming to carry out the ideals of K. Kamaraj. He is the present Member of Legislative Assembly of Tenkasi constituency.He has been elected as President of the South Indian Film Artistes Association for the third consecutive term.^[3]

Early life [edit]

He was born on July 14, 1954 to M. Ramanathan and Pushpa Leela in New Delhi and has a sister named Mallika Ramanathan. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from The New College in Chennai, Sarathkumar Ramanathan started his career as a journalist before achieving stardom in the movie industry.

Journalist [edit]

Sarath started his career as a delivery boy with the Tamil daily Dinakaran at Bangalore. He rode a bicycle and delivered newspapers. That experience, as he recalls, spawned a deep-rooted desire in him to become a full-fledged journalist. Fulfilling that desire, he is now the editor of Media Voice. One of the key value propositions that Media Voice brings to the table is Sarath’s personal interview each month with a newsmaker discussing current issues. "Although I am a politician and actor now, the journalist in me is still alive. I love multitasking,” says Sarath. From such humble beginnings, he has learnt to live an inspired life, and is the strong leader that society needs.

Acting career [edit]

His entry into films was marked by him playing negative roles in Tamil cinema. He later moved on to playing lead roles before working his way up to attain the celebrated star status that he enjoys today. Drawing inspiration from Hollywood greats such as Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, by the late 90s he is hailed as one of Tamil Nadu’s leading heroes. His first big break came with the lead role in the movie ‘Suriyan’, and from then on he has gone on to receiving many prestigious awards. In 1988 he received his first award for best actor for his role as a villain in the movie ‘Pulanvisaranai’ and his first award as a lead actor followed six years later in 1994 for the movie ‘Nattamai’.

The accolades haven’t stopped coming in as he played several lead roles in all four of the southern languages, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. With more than a hundred and thirty films under his belt the once modest yet strong minded journalist has come a long way. Sarath is also the President of the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association. From playing villains to cops to transgenders, Sarathkumar has proven that he can take on almost any role and execute it like a professional, much like the multitasking he does in his real life. Be it coincidence or personal choice, he has played the role of an honest cop several times, on a quest to cleanse society, and that’s probably one of the reasons why the politician in him stands out as someone different!

Political career [edit]

In 1996 Sarath Kumar entered politics joining the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). In 2002 the party made him a Rajya Sabha member, but left a few years later before the 2006 Assembly elections to join the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam along with his wife Raadhika Sarathkumar. About a year later he felt the need to start his own political party, and on 31 August 2007 the All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) was born. Establishing his roots in the MG Ramachandran legacy, the purpose of creating the new party was to instill a sense of ‘real citizenship’. A concept that inspires every citizen to act.

Personal life [edit]

Sarath Kumar is married to Raadhika Sarathkumar who is also a South Indian movie star of some repute. He has four children. His two daughters Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Pooja were born to his first wife Chaya. A son named Rahul born in 2004 to his second wife Raadhika Sarathkumar and has a step daughter named Rayanne Hardy born to his wife Raadhika from a previous marriage.

Legislative career [edit]

Elections contested [edit]

Filmography [edit]

As Producer [edit]

• Kan Simittum Neram (1988)
• Pulivaal (2013)

Awards [edit]

• 1989 – Cinema Express Award for Best Villain – Tamil for Pulanvisaranai
• 1995 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor for Nattamai
• 1995 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Nattamai
• 1997 – M.G.R. Award
• 1998 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor for Suryavamsam
• 1999 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Natpukkaga
• 1999 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor for Natpukkaga
• 2009 - Vanitha Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor for Pazhassi Raja^[5]

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• R. Sarathkumar at the Internet Movie Database