Exclusive Interview: Kannada cinema still lacks in terms of substantial roles for women, says Ramya

Q. Your maiden venture as a producer, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, is in its pre-production stage. Tell us about what made you zero in on this subject for your comeback?

Raj B Shetty is helming Ramya’s maiden film production. (Supplied)

A. Ever since I decided to produce a film, I had been listening to quite a few interesting scripts. I was in constant touch with many brilliant writers and filmmakers from the industry, including Karthik Gowda from Hombale films. That apart, I was watching a good number of films which were high on content and had a unique filmmaking process, which is what I intend to do through my own production house.

I happened to watch Raj B Shetty’s Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana. I simply fell in love with its making and the performance, following which I shared my appreciation with the makers. What followed next is the birth of Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye.

Q. Expectations are naturally huge with your comeback after nearly 10 years. Tell us more about your maiden production.

A. Though there were so many good films being made in Kannada in recent times, what I noticed is that it still lacked in terms of good and substantial roles for women in the lead. While discussing the same, Raj B Shetty shared an amazing script, and that is how the journey of Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye took off.

Talking about its core subject, the brilliantly-written script showcases women in powerful roles. There is more to a woman than just falling in love, getting married and so on as we have been witnessing in movies. We intend to break a few taboos, and the style and execution of the film will be far different from the usual.

Q. How was your experience as a producer for the first time?

Ramya’s maiden production. (Supplied)

A. As an artiste, I was always amazed with the process and all the hard work that goes behind making a film. However, with regard to this film as a producer, half my work was reduced with Raj B Shetty being the captain of this project. He is such a master, with great knowledge of films, which has really eased my role, at least as a producer.

Also, it is entirely a different scenario when an actress makes her debut. In my first film as an actress, I was more relaxed with the innocence of not knowing anything. But I’m more nervous as a producer in this one than I was as an actress in my debut film Abhi.

Q. This also marks your comeback as an actress after a long gap, how excited are you on your return to the silver screen?

A. It has been almost 10 years since my last film in a lead role. I am surprised that people still remember me wherever I go. Though I was busy with politics in these 10 years, I was always asked about my next film or whether I would ever get back to acting. My heart is filled with gratitude for all the love showered upon me. Right from aged people to teenagers to small kids, they all come to me with so much love, and that’s what made me want to return.

Apart from this film, I will also be acting in others’ banners too. In fact, I have zeroed in on two big projects to be made under a couple of big banners, one which is going to be a comedy and another revolving around sports.

I had been portraying more or less similar kind of roles in films, but henceforth, I will take up out-of-the-box characters and, most importantly, those that excite and makes me happy as a performer.

Q. What kind of films will Apple Box Studios be producing in future?

A. We all know how important or significant an apple box is when it comes to filmmaking, and without which it is highly impractical to complete the process. Apple Box Studios has a similar notion, which aims to promote good content and provide a platform for creative film-making.

Q. Now that you are back to your first love, which is films, where do you see your political career in the coming days?

A. As a citizen, I will continue to share my opinions politically since it affects day-to-day life of an individual and that of others. Any political change in society directly affects our future; but insofar as active politics as a politician is concerned, I have decided to stay away from it for the time being.

I can’t wait to begin work on #SwathiMutthinaMaleHaniye as a first time producer and actor once again with the genius @RajbShettyOMK @lighterbuddha @m3dhun #PraveenShriyan Happy Vijayadashami everyone! ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಶುಭವ ತರಲಿ ವಿಜಯದಶಮಿ ? Thank you for all the love! ?♥️ https://t.co/ccArpHsXoa

— Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) October 5, 2022