Radhika Rao

Radhika Rao Biography

Radhika Rao is a film director associated with Hindi entertainment industry. She along with her business partner Vinay Sapru runs a film production company ‘Rao & Sapru’ and they work together for their productions. A doyen in the field of directing Hindi music videos, she has been active in this field since 1990s and has produced and shot countless popular music videos. Almost all popular music videos of Falguni Pathak were shot by this duo, the best being - Yaad Piya Ki aane Lagi, Maine Payal Hai Chankai, Meri Chunar Ud Ud Jaye and much more.

They also shot videos for Asha Bhosle, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pankaj Udhas, Jagjit Singh, Bali Bhram Bhatt, Bally Sagoo, Shiamak Davar etc. It can be said that they fully dominated Indi-pop scene in the 1990s, and played a magnificent role in popularizing non-filmy Hindi music among music lovers. In fact almost all top chartbuster Indi pop songs belong to this duo. They also directed romantic Hindi movies such as Lucky: No Time for Love (2005) starring Salman Khan and Sanam Teri Kasam (2016). Though both the movies got noticed for its beautiful songs, the films received only limited success in Bollywood. The duo gave first Bollywood break to Sneha Ullal, Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane. The duo also directed one more movie, I Love NY (2015).

Radhika Rao was born in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra on 27 March 1976. Jonnalagadda Vishveshwara Rao and Navaneetham Rao are her parents. Apart from a film producer, director and video director, she is also a screenwriter, costume designer, television host. She got into the entertainment industry in her late teens, and is active in the industry since 1995. Since 1998 she along with Vinay Sapru fully dominated Indian pop scene, and they went on to produce and direct a series of outstanding and stunning music videos.

The duo shot to instant fame with the very popular music video, Maine Payal Hai Chankai of Falguni Pathak. They received MTV Music Award, Zee Music Award and RAPA Award for this beautifully pictured song. Channel V Award for Best Director for Gabbar Mix in 1998, Screen Videocon Award, Zee Music Award, RAPA Award for Best Director for Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi in 1999 and MTV Music Award for Kaanta Laga in 2002 are other major honours.

Gud Naal Ishq Mitha, Jhoot Bole Kauwa Kate, Kinna Sona, Parde Main Rehane Do, Dil Kahin Hosh Kahin, Woh Chali Woh Chali, Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera, Kaliyon Ka Chaman, Chadti Jawani, Tu Tu Hai Wohi of Dj Aqueel, Leja Leja of Ustad Sultan Khan & Shreya Ghosal, Mera Babu Chhail Chhabila, Tera Chehra Hai Aaina Jaisa, Shama Jalaye Rakhna, Chaandi Jaisa Rang etc are a few more popular music albums produced and directed by the duo.

Published: December 04, 2018

Updated: December 04, 2018