Why Did Radikaa Sarathkumar Hesitate To Hug Kamal Haasan, And What Did He Tell Her?

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a recent interview veteran star Radikaa Sarathkumar recalled a memorable moment from her early acting career with Kamal Haasan. While shooting a scene together, Radikaa hesitated to perform a hug, an unease quickly noticed by director K Vishwanath. The interaction highlighted his thoughtfulness and left a lasting impression on Radikaa. Speaking about the experience, she recalled how the incident remains a memory and a reminder of the support she received during her initial days in cinema.

Kamal Haasan’s Reassurance Helped Radikaa Tackle Her Colour Insecurity

In an interview with Galatta, Radikaa Sarathkumar recently revisited an experience from her early cinema days, recalling a scene with Kamal Haasan that made her visibly hesitant. The sequence required her to hug Kamal Haasan from behind, but for reasons she initially kept to herself, she resisted performing it. Director K Vishwanath quickly noticed her discomfort. “He asked, ‘You all don’t like each other?’ Radikaa recalled, adding that both she and Kamal Haasan were surprised by the question. Even after she clarified that there was no personal issue, Vishwanath sensed an underlying unease and even sprayed perfume on him.

Later, Radikaa opened up to Kamal Haasan about her hesitation. He brushed aside her worry, assuring her that it was “not even a matter of concern.” His words and supportive attitude helped her overcome the moment, leaving a big impression on her. Radikaa also noted that even today, the incident is still brought up in their conversations. Talking further about the incident, Radikaa said “Even small gestures of reassurance can make a huge difference." She revealed that Kamal Haasan’s response gave her confidence to perform without self-consciousness.

Which Movie Did The Scene Take Place?

The scene took place during the shoot of the 1986 Telugu film Swathi Muthyam (also released as Sippikul Muthu in Tamil), directed by K Vishwanath with music by Ilaiyaraaja. The film tells the heartwarming story of a man with a cognitive disability who rescues a young widow. The film was showcased at the Moscow Film Festival, the Asian and African Film Festival in Tashkent, and in the inaugural mainstream section of the 11th IFFI. It went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

On the work front, Radikaa will be seen in Thaai Kizhavi in which she will play an elderly moneylender in a rural setting, presented by Sivakarthikeyan's production house and directed by Sivakumar Murugesan, set for a February 20, 2026 release,