Acting in Ammana Mane has been therapeutic: Raghavendra Rajkumar

Raghavendra Rajkumar is back to the silver screens after a gap of fifteen years, with Ammana Mane. His last film Pakkadamane Hudugi came out in 2004. The actor, who had taken a break to due to his health issues, was convinced that the industry had forgotten him, till he got to be part of the Nikhil Manju directorial. 

“I was not in a position to take up films after the stroke left one side of my body paralysed. In fact, at that point, I thought that it was the end of my career. But there was light at the end of the tunnel after all,” says Raganna.

Facing the camera once again is proving to be therapeutic for the actor. “I consider acting as therapy. I had forgotten that I was a patient during the 20 days of shoot. There was a complete change in my daily routine — getting the makeup done, prepping for the camera and working with a team of 100 people — and it made me feel good.  I felt responsible, and wanted to deliver a sincere performance” says Raganna, who adds that his wife and children were happy to see him back at work. “They felt it was a victory over my stroke."
  
Raganna says he has a personal connection to Ammana Mane, as he took care of his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar, during her last days. “Though I was unwell myself, I left aside my health issues to take care of her. A few scenes from Ammana Mane reminded me of my Amma’s last days. I was able to act with ease because I had already experienced a similar situation in my life.”

Despite his health restrictions, Raganna hopes to take up roles that will address issues in the field of education. “A child dying without education is worse than one dying out of hunger. Education is a basic human right and everyone should receive it."