‘It’s a blessing to stay as a commercial heroine for this long’

To stay relevant, sometimes can be one of the hardest things for an actor. Acknowledging this, actor Darshan says its a major feat to stay relevant as a female lead actor for ten years, as he congratulates his Kranti co-star Rachita Ram on completing a decade in the industry. As he recollects how there were times when female actors had a life span of two decades, the actor points out how female leads manage to stay relevant only for 6-7 years. “It is only her talent and dedication that has brought her to this point,” says Darshan.

As Rachita speaks to Cinema Express about 10-year mark and her latest project Kranti, she says, “I took a leap from the small screen to films and made my silver screen debut with Darshan’s Bulbul, and the first day of my shoot was on September 21, 2012. Ten years later, I began shooting for Kranti on the same day, and the crew also celebrated my career anniversary,” says Rachita. She also points out at the happy coincidence of V Harikrishna who composed for Bulbul is also working in Kranti, not only as music director, but is also helming the film.

Having been in the industry for a decade, she says that Kranti will redefine the next few years of her film journey. “With Kranti being the first release as I turn ten as an actor, it feels like I’m back to square one, and my second innings has begun. Whatever experience I have gained over this decade was just trial and practice. I got to study myself as an actor, and observe the industry inside out. But now it is going to be a fresh phase again,” Rachita shares.

As the actor is often a household name when it comes to commercial cinema,  Rachita mentions how she is happy with the identity. “It’s a blessing to stay as a commercial heroine for the longest run, and a place that every actor wishes to be in. Except for one or two films which I regret doing, I’m glad that every filmmaker had me in their mind when they wrote their characters”

She also clarifies, “However, at times, I was told that I’m a commercial heroine who they can’t afford. It is a wrong perception. Being here for so many years, I understand the Kannada film market. Moreover, I’m an actor first, and only then a heroine. I can blend into any kind of character. I don’t value everything from a remuneration point of view. I have tried a few realistic subjects and going forward, I intend to experiment with roles, and good stories,” she says.

The actor, who has a couple of films like Shabari, and Love Me or Hate Me at different stages of production, will finalise her next projects after the release of Kranti on January 26.