Tamil actor and former AIADMK MLA Radha Ravi joined the BJP on Saturday. Radha Ravi, who also heads Kollywood’s Dubbing Artistes Union, met with the national ruling party’s Working President JP Nadda. The actor-politician is a well-known party-hopper from Tamil Nadu, having switched between the AIADMK and the DMK multiple times.

JP Nadda arrived in Chennai on Saturday to oversee party works of the BJP in the state when the actor met him and joined the party.

Speaking to TNM, Radha Ravi confirmed that he had indeed joined the party and would soon reveal the reason, refusing to divulge other details. 

Less than six months ago, in June this year, Radha Ravi had rejoined the AIADMK after he was suspended from the DMK following his derogatory remarks against top actor Nayanthara in March. 

“Nayanthara acts as a ghost, and then she goes on to act as Sita as well. She acts as Sita! Earlier, to play the role of a goddess, they would look for [someone like] KR Vijaya. Now, anyone can be cast to play a goddess. They can cast someone who you want to pray to when you look at them, they can also cast someone you want to call towards you when you see them!” he had said at an event, making sexist comments to slut shame the actor.

Radha Ravi who used to campaign for DMK previously joined AIADMK in the early 2000s due to a difference of opinion with the DMK leadership. During the 2002 Assembly elections, he was fielded by the AIADMK from the Saidapet constituency. In the 2006 elections, however, he was not re-nominated. While he rejoined AIADMK in 2010 he remained inactive in the party until he moved back to DMK in 2017.

In 2018, Radha Ravi was accused of sexual harassment by women from the industry, brought to light by singer Chinmayi during the #MeToo movement. His tenure as President at the Dubbing Union and General Secretary at Nadigar Sangam too have been riddled with controversies.