Interview: I am happy with the decisions I made, says Ashika Ranganath

Q. Why the delay in getting into Telugu films?

A. It has been six years in the Kannada film industry. I did get offers right at the beginning of my career but, somehow, things didn’t work out.

Ashika Ranganath during the promotions of ‘Amigos’. (AshikaRanganath/Twitter)

I thought I shouldn’t be pushing myself too much and focus on my language.

Another reason is I was getting good scripts here. The pandemic was part of the journey and at that time, I got a couple of offers to do Telugu films.

I visited Hyderabad for look tests and when they got back, I was busy with fresh Kannada projects. So, I thought the best thing to do was go with the flow.

I believe that my debut at this point is destined.

Q. How did you get into Kannada cinema? You are also a graceful dancer!

A. I love Telugu and dancing to Telugu movie songs. I am a dancer and have always been inclined to explore, expand and think of options.

I am not trained in any dance form as such but I have learnt the basics of Bharatnatyam, etc.

I started learning dance in middle school and have been part of many cultural programmes and competitions. I am still learning and that’s my passion.

I have been raised in Tumkur and shifted to Bangalore for my education and career.

In my school and college days, I was a popular kid and they would insist on me taking part in every cultural programme.

Actor Ashika Ranganath. (AshikaRanganath/Twitter)

There was a contest every year for a fresh face and I was the winner of my college. My pictures got circulated and the college director got in touch with my mother. That is how I kickstarted my career in cinema.

Q. Did the story of Amigos excite you? Are you the heroine for all three men?

A. Of course, yes. The first time I heard the story, I googled “Doppelgangers”. I heard it somewhere but didn’t pay much interest.

It is such a different concept. I think most people will do that after hearing this plot.

Audiences are smart; they want to watch stories that have a fresh concept and are executed differently.

I have never done something like this before and this is the right debut for me. About being the heroine for all three, you have to watch the film. I had a great time shooting it.

Q. How did your co-star Kalyan Ram pull off a triple role?

A. He is amazing. I would see all three doppelgangers and their different personalities in Kalyan Ram.

The film took a toll on his mental health; it isn’t easy doing such complicated characters.

It was good to be a part of such a project and I got to learn so much from everyone on the set. I was a newbie amidst seniors like Brahmaji, JP, and Kalyani.

A poster of ‘Amigos’ introducing Ashika Ranganath’s character. (AshikaRanganath/Twitter)

Now that I’m done shooting my part, I want to meet my doppelganger, though it sounds scary.

Q. What was the challenging part of the shoot?

A. The interesting part was mugging lengthy lines in Telugu and making sure it was right.

The challenging bit came during the shoot of the song “Enno Ratrulostayigani”. I was put on a harness from certain feet and made to fly, for an aerial shot. The harness is usually used for fights in films and I didn’t have an idea about it.

I was thrilled that I would be flying but it was a different story when I was put on this harness.

I am not scared of heights but it is a painful task to be hung there for a long time.

I was there for at least two hours reshooting it 15-20 times. It was fun and challenging with all those costumes, makeup and me being there.

It’s Time to Dance for #EnnoRatrulosthayi and make reels to it🕺💃

– https://t.co/a99QjNRpFF#AmigosOnFeb10th
@NANDAMURIKALYAN @AshikaRanganath @RajendraReddy_ @GhibranOfficial #SriVeturi #SpbCharan #SameeraBharadwaj @MythriOfficial @adityamusic pic.twitter.com/WAkZhVYwM9

— Ashika Ranganath (@AshikaRanganath) February 2, 2023

Q. Hailing from a non-filmi family, how did you manage your career all by yourself?

A. I have seen a lot of ups and downs. But, on the flip side, it taught me what scripts to choose and not to.

Of course, people always have a say on what’s right and what’s not. But I am happy with the decisions I made.

Few people are so possessive about me that they say I am their “Kannada girl”.

It isn’t easy to gain so much in a short span – all by doing a couple of films and surviving the pandemic

If I look back at the films I have done so far and the love I received from the industry, I feel overwhelmed!