Radha Usman Syed is a name that often comes up in the spotlight whenever a conversation is about Rekha, the most versatile actress during the era of late 1970s and 1980s Bollywood, and the Gemini Gnanasan Family. While her sister basked in the limelight, Radha walked a quieter, intriguing path away from the media spotlight. Her life has been a matter of discussion from her early days in Chennai as the daughter of two famous actors to making her mark in the world of modeling. She rejected the film offers, married Usam Syed, and later settled abroad. Her journey has captivated the audience’s curiosity, and with this blog, we will dive into Radha Usman Syed biography, family background, career, marriage, and the legacy she holds.
Radha Usman Syed Biography
Radha Usman Syed was born in 1955 in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu. She was born into the Brahmin family of Hindus, and her name was Radha Ganesan. But after her marriage, Radha converted to Islam and was named Rabia Syed. Radha is a former model of the 1970s, famous for turning down the role in Raj Kapoor’s iconic film Bobby (1973) and being the sister of Rekha.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Radha Usman Syed |
| Profession | Former Model (1970s) |
| Birth Name | Radha Ganesan |
| Other Name | Rabia Syed (after conversion to Islam) |
| Date of Birth | 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion (Before) | Hinduism (by birth) |
| Religion (After) | Islam (converted after marriage) |
| Caste | Brahmin |
| Current Residence | United States of America (reportedly settled there after marriage) |
| Famous For | Being the younger sister of Bollywood actress Rekha |
| Schooling | Church Park Convent, Chennai |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Radha Usman Syed Husband Spouse | Usman Syed (married in 1981) |
| Children | 2 sons – Naveed Syed, Aman Syed |
| Known For | Low-profile life, connection to Rekha, rumored film offers |
| Famous Anecdote | Allegedly turned down the lead role in Bobby (1973) offered by Raj Kapoor |
| Languages Spoken | Tamil, English, possibly Hindi |
Radha Usman Syed Age
As of now, Radha Usman Syed age must be 70 years old this year (2025). She was born in 1955, but the exact date of her birth is nowhere to be found on the internet.
Radha Usman Syed Height and Physical Appearance
Radha Usman Syed height in feet stands around 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm). She has an average height for a woman, yet her presence on the stage is described as having charisma and an arresting appearance during her modeling years. Her black colored hair and eyes provide a vibrant look of “cheery on the cake”.
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Other physical descriptors | She was described as having an “elegant and arresting appearance” during her modeling years |
Radha Usman Syed Early Life and Education
Radha was born and brought up in the bustling Chennai city of Tamil Nadu. She attended the Church Park Convent and completed her schooling from the same place. Later on, she pursued her graduation, but she never made the details about the college or university public.
Radha Usman Syed Career
In the 1970s, Radha gained attention as a model. She impressed everyone with her natural beauty, glow, and firm confidence in front of the camera. She began appearing in the magazine features and photoshoots and quickly became a recognizable face in the fashion industry.
In 1973, Raj Kapoor offered her a role in his iconic film Bobby (1973). However, she declined both the role and the offer, explaining she’s not interested in pursuing acting as a career. Then, she continued her modeling career and preferred a low profile rather than seeking the limelight like other stars. That was the decision that set her apart from her sister Rekha, who went on to become one of the legendary actresses of the Bollywood industry,
Later, after her marriage to Usman Syed in 1981, she shifted her focus from her career ambitions to family life and relocated to the United States of India.
Radha Usman Syed Family
Radha comes from a film family with strong film connections; however, she carved out her own path away from the spotlight. Her father, Gemini Ganesan, was the renowned Tamil actor of his time. Whilst her mother, Pushpavalli, is an actress in Tamil Cinema.
On top of all, Radha’s family has made several contributions to cinema and other professional fields. We do know that her sister Rekha became a household name in Bollywood. But many of her other siblings pursued careers in medicine, journalism, and allied fields.
Her Family Table
| Relation | Name | Profession/Details |
| Radha Usman Syed Parents’ | ||
| Father | Gemini Ganesan | Renowned Tamil actor, known as the “Kadhal Mannan” (King of Romance) |
| Step Fathers | I V Rangachari | Lawyer |
| K. Prakash | Cinematographer | |
| Mother | Pushpavalli | Actress in Tamil cinema |
| Step Mothers | T. R. Aramelu | Not Known |
| Savitri Ganesan | Not Known | |
| Juliana Andrew | Not Known | |
| Radha Usman Syed Siblings’ | ||
| Sister(s) | Rekha (Bhanurekha Ganesan) | Bollywood Actress |
| Dr. Revathi Swaminathan | Oncologist | |
| Dr. Kamala Selvaraj | Gynecologist | |
| Dr. Jaya Shreedhar | Medical professional | |
| Narayani Ganesh | Journalist | |
| Vijaya Chamundeswari | Physiotherapist | |
| Dhanalakshmi Sapru | Private professional | |
| Rama Rangachari | Private professional | |
| Brothers(s) | Sathish Kumar Ganesan | Half-brother |
| Seshgiri (Sheshu) | Half-brother | |
| Babuji Rangachari | Half-brother | |
| Cousin(s) | Shubha | Actress |
| Radha Usman Syed Relative(s) | ||
| Niece(s) | Dr. Priya Selvaraj | Not Known |
| Rene Sapru | Not Known | |
| Riya Sapru | Not Known | |
| Nephew(s) | Abhinay Vaddi | Actor |
| Arun Kumar Vaddi | Not Known | |
| Dr. Rajesh Swaminathan | Doctor | |
| Dr. Deepu Rajkamal Selvaraj | Doctor | |
| Dabloo | Not Known | |
| Uncle(s) | Vedantam Raghavaiah | Not Known |
| Aunt(S) | Suryaprabha Raghavaiah | Not Known |
| Grandson(s) | Yaniv Syed | Not Known |
| Ilan Syed | Not Known | |
| Aydin Rajan Syed | Not Known | |
| Father-in-law | S.M. Abbas (Director) | Not Known |
| Mother-in-law | Shamima Khatoon | Not Known |
| Brother-in-law(s) | Tej Sapru | Actor |
| Govinda Rao | Not Known | |
| Dr. SFV Selvaraj | Not Known | |
| Daughter-in-law(s) | Sehar Khan Naveed | Not Known |
| Roopa Syed | Not Known | |
Radha Usman Syed Husband
Radha Usman Syed husband is Usman Syed. He is a man with a film-connected background. Their marriage took place in 1981, which marked a significant shift in Radha’s professional life from being a model to a more private and family-oriented life abroad.
Usman Syed’s father, S.M. Abbas, was a known screenwriter and director, a kind of filmmaker and his mother is Shamitha Khatoon. His marriage to Radha, whose birth name was Radha Ganesari, led to her conversion to Islam. Afterward, she adopted the name Rabia Syed. The couple relocated to the United States, where they began their quiet and private life away from the spotlight and film world.
Her Childrens:
She have two sons – Naveed Syed and Aman Syed. This is the only detail available about their children on the internet.
Radha Usman Syed Net Worth
Radha Usman Syed net worth has not been officially disclosed in public or gained the spotlight as of now (2025). So, there is no credible information available on the internet regarding her income sources since she got away from the media spotlight after her marriage. Her sister Rekha net worth is estimated at around ₹300 crore (approximately $40 million USD).
Radha Usman Syed Social Media Presence
Radha has maintained a very minimal social media presence. There are no verified accounts under her name that are available on popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
She was a famous model in India during the 1970s. She is famous for turning down the role in Raj Kapoor’s iconic film Bobby (1973).
Born in 1955, Radha Usman Syed age must be 70 years old as of this year (2025).
Usman Syed is Rekha sister Radha’s husband. The couple successfully married and relocated abroad for a better future away from the media spotlight.
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