Somehow, filmmakers think of Ramesh Arvind when they need an actor in lighter roles. But the actor is extremely competent in serious roles, too, despite such roles reaching him very rarely.

Soundarya is one such film in which he plays a chemical engineer who owns an industrial unit.

"I have taken a calculated risk in making a film with Ramesh in such a role. When I was writing the script itself, I could not think of any other actor but him. And when I saw the final print of the film, I was convinced of my choice," says Channagangappa, a senior government official turned filmmaker.  

Speaking about the film, the filmmaker said the subject of Soundarya was born from his own experiences.

"I was a secretary in the Home Department when I encountered several cases of land mafia troubling innocent people. But it was only in 2005 that I could write the script and the moment I was done writing it, I went straight to Ramesh's house and narrated the story.

"I started shooting last May but encountered many problems including the unprofessional behaviour of the heroine Saakshi Shivanand, which delayed the project even more.

"Anyway, I am trying to forget all that as the film is getting ready for release," he adds.

Channagangappa named the film Soundarya (beauty) because the film deals with the outward beauty and inner cruelty of the people. "Beauty is not only external -- it is also what the person actually is. This is what that I want to highlight in the film," he says.

Speaking about his experience, Ramesh Arvind said it was like going back to his Amruthavarshini days.

"Many of my fans have been asking me why I am doing more comedy films these days and why I was not acting in films like Amruthavarshini. I think Soundarya will satisfy all of them," he adds.