Radhika Bartake

Radhika Bartake, sometimes called Radha or Kasturi, was born in Goa, India. She entered beauty contests as a teenager and was crowned "Miss Goa" in 1973-74 and "Miss Teen Princess World" at Caracuss in Venezuela in December 1974. She won the latter title when one of the jury members was trying to belittle India. Radhika's patriotic reply of "As far as depth and intensity of religion and culture is concerned we beat any country in the world" made her the winner. Prabhakar Pendharkar introduced her in the Marathi film 'Preet Tujhi Mhaji'. However, it was a family friend B. Sharma who recommended her to producer Sawan Kumar Tak, who cast her in the Hindi film 'Saajan Bina Suhagan' (1978), which became a big hit. She was immediately noticed as Vinod Mehra's heroine, and the formidable cast included Nutan as her mother, Rajendra Kumar as her neighbor, and Padmini Kolhapure as her sister. Radhika went on to act in more films such as 'Aao Pyar Karen' opposite Benjamin Gilani, the multi-starrer 'Pukar' with Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Tina Munim, which was based on Goa's freedom struggle and was entirely shot in Goa in March 1983, 'Daasi' opposite Sanjeev Kumar, Rekha and Moushumi Chatterjee where she made a guest appearance. She also did a documentary film on the life of the legendary Durga Khote. She was also a successful model. She walked out of a prestigious heroine-oriented film "Oh Bewafa" (1980), based on Sidney Sheldon's novel "The Other Side of Midnight," and was produced by her mentor Sawan Kumar Tak, who had given her breakthrough role in "Saajan Bina Suhagan." Her role eventually went to Yogita Bali. Radhika settled for domestic bliss and married her childhood family friend, the handsome Punjabi Capt. R. K. Malik from the defence force in 1986. She has two sons Sankalp and JaisinhToday her fascination for sea shells and pets has become her favorite occupation. She runs a workshop with her husband in her home creating beautiful objects, souvenirs, and murals from sea-shells and terracotta. Her creations can be viewed at the Taj chain of hotels, Goa handicrafts, Radisson, and other places. Radhika loves animals, and she has four dogs, a billy goat, a duck, and four cats. She lives in the Defence Colony, Porvorim in Goa.