Rukmini Vasanth, the magnificent the main lady in sensational successful films like Sapta Sagaradache Ello and Madharaasi, is ready to play the main role in chapter: 1, alongside Rishab Shetty.
As the film should be released in theaters on October 2, 2025, the actress was invited to an exclusive interview with IHNS, where she shared her ideas on the film and her future projects in Indian cinema.
Rukmini Vasanth interview
1. After the massive success of Kantara, the second episode, Kantara: Chapter 1, is preparing to release on October 2, 2025. How were you part of the franchise, and was it difficult to adapt to a character of this scale?
Years. Yes, with regard to your first question. I think that our director, Rishab Shetty, had seen one of my previous outings, which was the Duology Sapta Sagaradache Ello – team A and the side B. Rishab Sir is a very close friend of the hero (Rakshit Shetty) and the director (Heanth Rao) of these films.
At the time, Rishab Sir came to the first of the two parties and was very grateful and complementary about my performance. However, I never dreamed that it would translate by offering him a film, but I think that may be there that it all started.
Later, when they were breaking, I think he and his team had a conversation, and it was then that he contacted me and asked me if I wanted to be part of the film, and I was obviously above the moon.
Now concerning your second question on the preparation of this film. He has a very large scale in terms of the world he tries to capture. So it was something that required a lot of preparation. I had to understand the cultural context of the Karavali region.
In addition, the period of time, because the film is a period drama, takes place almost between the 4th and 5th centuries. I also had to understand this period. When you understand a character, their motivations, their context, and more, it becomes a preparation work that you must do.
In addition to that, there were funny things that I was able to do, such as horse riding, sword fights and a little action here and there. All of this was very, very rewarding. So, this is one of those films where I had to prepare for several different levels, and it was a really nice process for me.
2. We all know that Rishab Shetty has spent this project a lot of time. How was it to work with him, not only as a co-actor but also to a certain extent as a director?
Years. Honestly, it was a revealing experience. When someone takes something from this scale, he must be both the eye that sees him happen, but also an active participant.
As an actor, you must participate in the scene, but as a director, you somehow need to have a global vision of the whole, how it happens, and you need a certain detachment from your own performance. You must be able to see how it contributes to the rest of the scene, and if this aid is beneficial, or if it withdraws from it.
Basically, you have to be a little more impartial, and I know, it is such a difficult thing to do, and in a film like Kantara, in particular, which is shot in live places everywhere. I moved away from this process very inspired by the way in which he was able to somehow several tasks and manage all these things at the same time.
3. According to the enormous success of Sapta Sagaradache Ello in Kantara Chapter 1, how do you see the growth you assigned as an actor?
Years. Oh wow, you know, it’s not so much time for me to be able to look back and see my own evolution. I hope there has been an evolution. The only thing I can say with certainty is that I tried to choose varied types of characters. This is a certain evolution that I can attest, but beyond that, I think I will leave the public, hopefully, to contribute in this regard.
I do not know if I can do one of these declarations, but I sucked in different types of characters, and I also had these opportunities, so that I can go so far.
4. The city’s speech is that you soon appear in two other huge projects, including JR NTR, Prashant Neel’s Dragon and Yash Starrer Toxic. Is there something you can share on your future projects?
Years. Absolutely nothing, but thank you for asking. I won’t deny anything either.
5. Since your film Sapta Sagaradaache Ello was a sensational success, Internet users seemed to have labeled their crush. How do you look at this attention?
Years. I’m going to tell you what, these labels … They are very nice, but I don’t know how much I think of this kind of thing, because these labels are transient, they change. But one thing that was very rewarding for me, and something that made me very happy, is that people resonate so much with this character of Priya (de SSE).
I was very careful about how this character was going to be presented and how we were going to represent it. I am so touched that a character like this crushes. I am happy that such simplicity is celebrated by the public.
6. Your recent Madharaasi film was a success, giving off a lot at the box office. How was it to work with Sivakarthikeyan and the director Ar Murugadoss?
Years. It was really beautiful. I had a great time working with Murugadoss Sir. He was the most senior director I had the opportunity to work so far. It is enough to learn from someone who spent so much time creating such wonderful and lightness films that he deals with the process of making films and the way he is capable of concentrating. It was something I learned from Sir.
Regarding Siva Sir, I mean, there is honestly too many things, but immediately, I really appreciate its constant evolution. The people who have seen his work from the past know his trip, on someone who started as a television resident and things like that.
With each choice of film he makes, there is a constant push in him to improve it and to push himself. For example, he worked with an acting coach on sets very openly to push his performance. So he had someone with whom he worked things, and he would discuss things.
I really like that, because I think it normalizes the experimental process while you make a film. It does not seem that we know everything from the first day. A creative act requires exploration, it requires evolution, it requires experimentation and you should not be afraid.
I think Siva Sir is very courageous in there. It is not worried that people will think something or judge this process. I think it’s a very inspiring step to take. So that’s something I learned from him.
7. After Kannada, Tamil and perhaps Telugu cinema, do you plan to venture into other language films, including, but without limiting yourself, Hindi and Malayalam?
Years. I would like to. I don’t think you can plan these things exactly. I think that if the right opportunities pass, and if there are beautiful roles, yes. I never say, and I think I would really like to do it. I watched Malayalam films since I was at school and I really enjoyed these films.
So, I would like to make a beautiful rom-com or any type of film in one or the other language. I can’t wait to be there, I hope soon. The crossed fingers.
Read also: Hridayapoorvam Ending explained: How does Sandeep Balakrishnan from Mohanlal find the true sense of love among foreigners?
(Tagstotranslate) Kantara
