Sarathkumar Ramanathan (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian film actor, politician, body builder and the current president of South Indian Film Artistes Association. He started his career in Tamil cinema playing negative roles, and later played minor roles in other movies. He was first chosen for the lead role in Suriyan which was a success at box-office. He mainly played the role of an honest cop. He also floated a new political party in Tamil Nadu to carry out the ideals of K. Kamaraj Nadar.
Sarathkumar was born on 14 July 1954 in New Delhi to M. Ramanathan and Pushpa Leela. He also has a sister named Mallika Kumar. His native place is Thalakavur in Sivaganga district near Karaikudi. He graduated with his B. Sc. in Mathematics from The New College, Chennai.
He served as a DMK member of parliament in Rajya Sabha. He also serves as the current president of the South Indian Film Artistes Association, organizing several industry-based events. He currently acts in films.
Sarathkumar is married to actress Raadhika Sarathkumar. His first wife was Chaya Sarathkumar, with whom he has two daughters named Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Pooja Sarathkumar. Varalaxmi is reportedly debuting as heroine with actor Silambarasan Rajendar. He is married to Raadhika Sarathkumar since 2001 and they have a son named Rahul, who was born in 2004. Sarathkumar is also the stepfather to Raadhika's daughter Rayanne.
Sarathkumar has acted in six regional languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. He has received critical acclaim for his roles in the films Pulan Visaranai, Sooriyan, Naataamai, Suryavamsam, Natpukkaga, Cheran Pandian and the latest release Pazhassi Raja.
Sarathkumar joined DMK in the year 1996. DMK fielded him in Tirunelveli Loksabha Constituency during 1998 parliamentary elections and he lost by small margin. In 2002,DMK made him a Rajyasabha member. He left DMK before 2006 Assembly elections owing to differences with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's family members. He joined AIADMK along with his wife Radhika and campaigned vigorously for that party.
His wife Radhika Sarathkumar was dismissed from AIADMK for anti party activities in October 2006. He also quit from AIADMK in November 2006 quoting his workload in Cine industry as a reason.
On 31 August 2007, Sarathkumar floated a new party named ['Akila Indiya Samathuva Makkal Katchi' He has vowed to bring back Kamarajar rule in Tamil Nadu. His party was humiliated with less than 1% votes in the Thirumangalam [Tamil Nadu,India] by-election.
He joined DMK in 1996 in order to defeat Jayalalitha. In 1998, Kalaignar asked Sarathkumar to contest Lok Sabha elections from Tirunelveli. In the election DMK lost very badly and the alliance could muster only 9 seats compared to the 40 seats it swept in 1996.Even though DMK lost badly in many constituencies, Sarathkumar was defeated by Kadambur.R.Janarthanan by a margin of only 6000 votes.