[2] He was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Saidapet in 2001 as a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

His first time before the camera was for a Kannada film Rahasya Rathri (1980), produced by actor Bharathi's father for BNK Pictures in 1976.

Director Rama Narayanan gave his career a boost, while T. Rajendar was instrumental in casting him as a villain in Uyirullavarai Usha (1983).

He made notable performances in films such as Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), Uyarndha Ullam (1985), Guru Sishyan (1988), Rajadhi Raja (1989), Solaikuyil (1989), Chinna Thambi (1991), Annaamalai (1992), Uzhaippali (1993), Pooveli (1998), Padayappa (1999), Oru Murai Sollividu (2004), Iraivi (2016) and Sarkar (2018).

He tried his hand in production with films such as Thai Maasam Poo Vasam (1990), Idhu Namma Bhoomi (1992), Chinna Muthu (1994) and Ilaignar Ani (1994).

He criticised Asin Thottumkal on her visit to Sri Lanka, where the heavily opposed civil war took place, in 2010 for the filming of Ready.

He was quoted as saying: "Sangam won't spare actress Asin's recent visit to Sri Lanka to take part in the shooting of her upcoming Hindi film Ready opposite Salman Khan".

[11] In 2015, Ravi and Sarathkumar were defeated in election by Vishal and Nassar respectively after both were accused for being involved in a conflict of interest in the Nadigar Sangam building controversy.

[12] In March 2017, Radha Ravi got himself involved in a controversy when he mocked the DMK's political rivals MDMK's Vaiko and PMK's S Ramadoss and compared them to differently-abled children.

[13] He received criticism when he made distasteful remarks and fun on Pollachi sexual assault incident in March 2019.

He said DMK is the only party that has the confidence of the people and also said that M.K Stalin is the most suitable state leader and only he could save Tamil Nadu.

[15] On July 15, actor and politician Radha Ravi was made the state Executive Member by BJP's Tamil Nadu president, L Murugan.

[21] While campaigning for the BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, Radha Ravi made derogatory comments against Kamal Haasan's personal life who was contesting from Coimbatore South.

[23] Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) lodged a complaint with Election Commission regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct for his speech.

[22] Singer Chinmayi claimed that Radha Ravi had expelled her from the dubbing union because she had exposed him in the #MeToo movement.