What began with Benki, opposite Anish Tejeshwar, has evolved into a deeper journey for Sampada Hulivana. Having made her mark in Telugu cinema, the actor believes she has found the right break in Kannada with Rohit Padaki's Ekka, a film that also stars Yuva Rajkumar and Sanjana Anand.
Sampada doesn't shy away from talking about how it is to stand out in a film packed with characters. “You don’t have to make space for yourself, then it becomes forced,” she says. “Screen space cannot be demanded. What truly matters is what you bring to your character. Everyone has their space in this film. My character becomes prominent in the second half, it enters during a major storytelling shift.”
She adds, “The film begins with Mallika’s character and ends with her. It’s a full-circle role, especially in relation to Yuva’s character, Muthu. That connection is beautiful.”
Does being part of an ensemble cast push her to compete harder? “You’re not in competition with others. The only person you’re trying to beat is who you were two years ago. Competing with your previous self is my version of competition,” says Sampada.
Ekka, backed by three major banners, PRK Productions, Jayanna Films, and KRG Studios, has been a valuable learning ground for Sampada. “Having three production houses meant more support and more pampering. Each team brought its own strength. The process was smooth, efficient, and collaborative.”
Working with director Rohit Padaki was another highlight for the young actor. “Rohit sir is spontaneous but extremely prepared. Even if he added a single word on set, it had weight. He’s one of the most intelligent directors I’ve worked with.”
Talking about her co-star Yuva Rajkumar, who is making his debut with the film, Sampada shares, “He’s amazing, focused, spiritual, and humble. He wasn’t one to stay in the caravan; he was always with the crew, engaging even with the set boys. I learned a lot from his discipline and grounded energy. We even did a temple run during the shoot in Varanasi. It was intense, in a good way.”
Sampada now looks forward to her next project, Karavali, and a Telugu film. “Things are moving slowly, but they’re moving in the right direction,” she signs off.