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TAKE TWO

`You can't carry your ego to the sets'

Kavita Lankesh and Ramya, who worked together in Tananam Tananam, share their vibes over a cuppa amidst the chaos at IFFI

PHOTO: RAJTILAK NAIK

STAR VALUE Kavita Lankesh and Ramya shared excellent chemistry during the making of the film

How do you get two gifted and elegant women to come together for a chat in the middle of all the chaos at the 37th International Film Festival of India? How do you get Kavita Lankesh, with just a handful of films under her belt and a National Award in her kitty, to speak to actor Ramya, who is ready to mix the intelligent and the artistic with the commercial in her career? Kavita whose films Deveeri, Alemari and Preethi, Prema, Pranaya have harvested a handful of awards, has plans to expand her horizons to Hindi cinema. Ramya, who has had Bollywood offers too, is for the moment content playing the popular queen on the Kannada screen. In fact she has acted in Kavita's Tananam Tananam. So, when these two ladies get together over a cup of coffee, you know you are in for a stimulating conversation. Being an observer was seldom more enjoyable, ZIYA US SALAM discovered during their freewheeling chat.

Kavita: They say I am a firebrand....

Ramya: I guess people who say this misunderstand you. Probably because you are a forthright person, open to views, and giving your opinions freely.

Kavita: Yes, you cannot sulk and simmer as a director. On the sets or with producers, occasionally, I have to be demanding. But tell me, Ramya, how did you land up in films? It might be a long story, but tell me briefly.

Ramya: By accident. I had no clue I would work in films when one day Puneet Rajkumar called me for an audition. And that was that. My first film was Abhi. Now I have done quite a few films encompassing all genres.

Kavita: But it must have been difficult switching from one genre to another, one sensibility to another....

Ramya: Difficult in terms of acceptance, otherwise there is no problem. It is just that sometimes people's minds are closed and they expect you to do only certain kind of roles. Talking of difficulties, you would know it is not easy for Kannada films these days...

Kavita: Yes, it is not easy with the audiences having kept away for almost 15 years. But things are changing. The screening of Tananam Tananam at IFFI will help. It gives greater exposure to the film. The gentry are back at the halls for this film because of the IFFI screening. The families think if it is played at IFFI it must be good enough. Otherwise, most Kannada films are too violent and only men visit the halls in the first few days of the release.

Ramya: Yes, with IFFI, the film gets highlighted a bit more. Kavita: Educated people have stopped watching Kannada films. It is too early to say whether things will change, but the signs are encouraging.

Ramya: But I don't understand why everybody talks of a crisis in the Kannada film industry. They make bad films and complain. You make good films and people will come to watch.

Kavita: That is true, but remakes of Tamil or Telugu films can be killing.

Ramya: Precisely. If a film is good, why remake it? You cannot improve the original.

Kavita: There is a law that Tamil or Telugu films cannot be dubbed into Kannada. Imagine if a Chiranjeevi film were to be dubbed into Kannada and released simultaneously, it would kill the industry. The directors, the actors, would somehow survive but what about the workers? The workers' union is strong. That is why they have been able to resist such pressure.

Ramya: (Shifting the discussion a little) Kavita, you are a woman of strong views. And fearless. I feel comfortable working with you and, in general, with women. I can relate to them better. It is not that I have not had differences with you. You have shouted at me on the sets, we have had angry exchanges but all in good humour and for the betterment of the film. With you, the true feelings of the character are brought out better because you are open to my ideas, my inputs.

Kavita: For a film to be good, you cannot carry your ego to the sets.

Ramya: But while we talk of women directors, it is important to remember that a film caters to everybody. We make films for families.

Kavita: That's true, but I have seen men being scolded by their wives for bringing their children to special screenings simply because the film was not meant to be seen with kids.

Ramya: Fortunately, I have had no such problems. My films cater to everybody. I am not saying I have not done mainstream commercial films or am not comfortable doing, but I have never done anything I won't own up to.

(It is time to wind up; the coffee is long since over. Incidentally, Kavita had to shout her lungs out to get Ramya over for a cup of coffee with the star being mobbed by fans and the media.)

Kavita: Before we move, I'll tell some of my observations about you. You listen to everybody quite well. From your film record, I can say you don't bother about who's the hero of your film. You only give importance to your role and the subject. You are more concerned about the whole film and do not accept many films for money alone.

Ramya: Thanks. That makes me feel good. But you also know what you want as a director. On the sets I have always found that you pay attention to detail, are meticulous and a thorough professional. Tell me, is there anything special coming up?

Kavita: Yes, I am doing a Hindi film. Won't you do Hindi films too?

Ramya: Everyone tells me to do Hindi films. There are offers, but at the moment I am happy doing Kannada films. I want to do more aesthetically pleasing films.

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