Ritika Singh recently made headlines after R. Madhavan spoke about how she was introduced to films. The actress was barely 19 when she shot to limelight with her stellar performance as a boxer in director Sudha Kongara’s Irudhi Suttru (Saala Khadoos in Hindi). She made her acting debut opposite R. Madhavan in the sports drama, which turned out to be a blockbuster.
The film itself had a long and challenging journey before reaching theatres. Recently, during a conversation with Sonia Shenoy on YouTube channel, Madhavan had taken a four-year break from acting because he felt his career was heading in a predictable direction. He wanted to reinvent himself and committed fully to this boxing drama, even transforming physically for the role. However, finding producers for the project was not easy. The script was pitched to several people before one finally agreed.
Just when things seemed to fall into place, there was a last-minute suggestion to replace the real-life boxer heroine with a more commercial actress. Madhavan later admitted in interviews that the suggestion left him shaken. After spending four years developing the film, he wondered if he had made a mistake backing an unconventional choice.
He recalled that he felt discouraged and briefly considered stepping away from the project. It was advice from a close mentor that changed his perspective. He was told that quitting at 80 percent completion would make it easier to give up earlier next time. That push helped him stay firm on his decision to cast a real boxer — Ritika Singh
The gamble paid off.
Irudhi Suttru turned out to be a major success in Tamil, while Saala Khadoos received appreciation in Hindi. Ritika’s performance stood out, not just for her boxing skills but for her emotional depth on screen. She went on to win a Special Mention at the 63rd National Film Awards for her powerful debut.
So who is Ritika Singh beyond the silver screen?
Before films, she was a trained kickboxer and mixed martial artist. She represented India at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games and later competed in India’s Super Fight League in 2012. Her participation in professional MMA events helped her gain recognition in combat sports circles. Interestingly, it was her fighting background that caught the attention of director Sudha Kongara, who was looking for authenticity in her boxing drama. She won several award for her performance in the movie.
Ritika has often said that shadow boxing remains her favourite activity, even after stepping into acting. Unlike many who train for roles, she brought years of discipline, strength and competitive spirit into her very first film. According to Instagram profile, she also mentioned that she is a 3rd Dan (Sam Dan/Sandan) black belt represents a high-level, experienced practitioner, often considered an instructor or senior student.
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