From calling an event anchor a trash to questioning AR Rahman's decision to work in Bollywood, Radha Ravi has made several controversial statements before.

The Radha Ravi vs Nayanthara controversy is currently the talk of the town. The 66-year-old actor made some derogatory remarks about Nayanthara at the audio launch of the upcoming film Kolaiyuthir Kaalam.

Radha Ravi's uncouth comments about Nayanthara were directed at her role as Sita. He also gave her a backhanded compliment that despite being the centre of several gossip stories, Nayanthara has sustained in the industry for long.

He said, "Nayanthara is a star now and she's hailed as Lady Superstar. Some even compared her to Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan. They're immortals and it is disheartening to see people include Nayanthara in the list. I agree that Nayanthara is a good actress and she is sustaining in the industry for several years. There have been several reports about her, yet she stands tall. Tamil Nadu people remember anything only for four days, then they forget. Now, she is a known face. She can act as a ghost and as Goddess Sita as well. Back in those days, if filmmakers have a Goddess character in the film, they'd go for veteran actress KR Vijaya. But now, anybody can play the role. Paatha udane kumbudravangalayum podalam, paatha udane koopadravangalyum podalam (We can cast those who are respected and those who sleep around)."

His comments enraged many people in the film fraternity. From Nayanthara's boyfriend Vignesh Shivan to Nadigar Sangam secretary Vishal, many celebrities came down heavily upon Radha Ravi. Actress Samantha, in a tweet, said that Radha Ravi is a sad person and that she is sorry for him.

DMK head MK Stalin took immediate action against Radha Ravi and suspended him from the party. Radha Ravi has said that the party could have asked him for clarification before taking the step.

The veteran actor is also facing flak from Nadigar Sangam, which has sent a letter to him warning him of dire consequences if he continues to behave in a similar manner.

But controversies like these are not new to Radha Ravi. He has always made it to the headlines with his abusive and derogatory speech about some celebrity or the other.

RAPE JOKE ON AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN

While speaking at a promotional event of actor-director Samuthirakani's film a few years ago, Radha Ravi made some cringe-worthy comments on North Indian heroines. He urged filmmakers to work with theatre artists in cinema and said, "The number of shooting days will become less for you if you use theatre artists. But I don't know from where you find these heroines from the North. They don't come with their clothes on. I mean, they come in their attires."

He went on to say, "I have once said that if I had known Hindi, I would have had the opportunity to rape Aishwarya Rai. What I meant was I would have acted in Bollywood. Why the hell should I then act with these saniyans (idots/sinners in Tamil)."

AT IRAIVI PROMOTIONAL EVENT

After praising Karthik Subbaraj and actor-director SJ Suryah, Radha Ravi resorted to his typical foul language. The anchor of the event forgot to mention his name while giving out her welcome speech, which hurt the actor's ego.

Radha Ravi went on to call her trash. He said, "What will I do if you bring trash like this to compere."

Similarly, when he was the secretary of Nadigar Sangam, he slammed popular anchor Archana for not mentioning his designation while addressing him.

ON SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST HIM

Before his comments on Nayanthara, Radha Ravi made headlines when an anonymous actress accused him of sexual harassment. Radha Ravi made fun of the sexual harassment accusations at the audio launch of a film. He said, "On the go, one woman called out my name (laughs). My friend called me and said 'Your name is trending on Google'. I told him that in life you should either be Godse [Nathuram] or Gandhi [Mahatma]. Good or bad, you should be making the headlines."

He added, "I asked my lawyer friend what the girl had said about me. He told me that she didn't say anything big. I said it's a shame for me (laughs)."

On another occasion, he took a dig at the whole #MeToo Movement. He said, "I am asking if they can make such accusations against leading stars. They won't because they will not get opportunities. Without acceptance, these crimes won't happen."

ON AR RAHMAN CHOOSING TO COMPOSE MUSIC FOR BOLLYWOOD FILMS

Not just now, Radha Ravi has always tried to be in the limelight by going after someone with his cynical and derogatory words. He once accused AR Rahman of neglecting Tamil cinema and choosing to work in Bollywood.

He was quoted as saying, "I would like to make it clear that Rahman's debut was Roja and not Slumdog Millionaire. He was introduced by Kavithalaya Productions, a Tamil film production company. But today, he has declined to acknowledge it by giving priorities merely to Hindi films."

ON ASIN VISITING SRI LANKA TO SHOOT FOR READY

In 2010, when he was the secretary of Nadigar Sangam, he gave some tough time to actress Asin. Her mistake was that she shot for Ready in Sri Lanka. Back then, Tamil Nadu was protesting against the Sri Lankan government's atrocities against Sri Lankan Tamils. The Tamil fraternity was asked not to shoot in Sri Lanka because of the ongoing issue. Asin faced the wrath of Radha Ravi and many other film personalities. However, Sarathkumar, who was the president of Nadigar Sangam back then, said that no one can interfere in an artist's freedom or choice of work.

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