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Ramya: Lucky is a fun ride
Kannada actress Ramya, known as Divya Spandana in Tamil, is on a high with her first release this year Siddlingu being declared an above average success at the box office. She has now teamed up with upcoming hero Yash in the Kannada film Lucky which also marks the debut of actress Radhika as a producer.
Lucky hits the screen this Friday. In this interview with Srikanth Srinivasa, Ramya speaks about Lucky and working with producer Radhika, who was once her competitor.
What is Lucky all about? How important is your role in the film?
Lucky is a rom-com. It is about the girl Gowri, her dog Zoo Zoo and a boy called Lucky who is in love with Gowri. But Gowri is so attached to her pet dog that her life revolves around the dog. She is an introvert who doesn't socialise and all her time is dedicated to Zoo Zoo.
She fears that a third person in her life may not get along well with her pet, and her fears come true when Lucky enters her life.
To what extent Lucky goes to win Gowri's acceptance and whether or not she accepts his love is what the movie is all about.
'I am my own competitor'
How did you get to sign this film?
I heard the script two years ago and forgot all about it as I thought it was too early for Kannada audiences. Now, I think they are warming up to new, fresh and out-of-the-box stories.
A few years ago, the media projected you, Radhika and Rakshita as rivals. You came out triumphant and stayed in the race. How do you view this competition with hindsight?
I am my own competitor. I have never seen anyone else as my competitor and that hasn't changed.
I want to better myself with each movie.
How does it feel to be associated with Radhika in the role of producer?
Radhika is very talented and hardworking. Now, I see her in a different light. She never behaved like a producer and she didn't throw her weight around.
When she came on to the sets, I could see her yearning for the arc lights in her eyes. I sincerely believe that she should come back and act in movies.
Radhika never interfered in my role or said anything to me about my role. We only discussed diets and make-up and shopping!
'Lucky is a new and fresh story'
2011 was a good year for you with Sanju Weds Geetha and Johnny. And 2012 started with the success of Siddlingu. What do you expect from Lucky?
It's a relief when films like Siddlingu do well because it reiterates the fact that you don't need mega budgets or exotic locations or remakes. The audience will watch a good film any way.
Lucky is a new and fresh story. I hope it works as it will encourage new technicians like debutant director Dr Suri who think out of the box, and artistes like me who want to do different roles. All we need is audience acceptance.
'Think new and think different' is what I believe will be the new mantra.
What is the controversy between you and your co-star Yash?
I don't want to comment on that.
'An artiste's work is incomplete without dubbing'
Did you choose to do the dubbing for this film yourself because not doing so in the past has gone against you when awards are handed out?
Despite not getting an award for many years, I continue to give my best effort in all my roles. Awards are not on my mind. The audience is the ultimate deciding factor--they are important.
I started to dub because I was always disappointed with the result when I didn't. I would put in a 100 per cent into my performance and somebody else would dub and eventually it would be like a 70 per cent output. So I decided to dub, to feel like a complete artiste by doing my role full justice.
An artiste's work is incomplete without his or her own dubbing. Now I'm sort of satisfied (laughs). I will get better with each film.
Finally, what can the audiences expect from Lucky and especially your performance?
Well, Lucky is a fun film and a good entertainer. The movie is fresh in terms of story and the audience won't be disappointed.
Get ready for a fun ride!