Ramya: I will continue to stand up for my rights

Even as producer Ganesh was accusing actress Ramya of being 'non-committed' towards his project Dandam Dashagunam, director Nagshekar -- who is helming her upcoming film Sanju Weds Geetha -- presented a very different picture.

For instance, he spoke of how the 'accommodating and caring actress' had gone out of her way to buy jackets for over 113 crew members, as she didn't want them to fall prey to Ooty's (where they were shooting) chill and rain.

He was also grateful to her for setting aside dates for the film despite it taking over two years to make. That Ramya also offered financial help to complete the film's shoot is now well known.

Sanju Weds Geetha co-stars Srinagara Kitty. The songs, composed by Jassie Gift, are already a huge hit. The film is said to be based on true incidents.

On the eve of its April 1 release, Ramya tells rediff.com what's special about Sanju Weds Geetha and reacts sharply at the 'anti-Kannada' tag that she has been given.

What makes Sanju Weds Geetha stand apart?

It's an aesthetically shot film. It's an original script too. The story is that of a small town girl. It also looks at the scars child molestation leaves on one. Cinematography and performances are the highlights.

Aren't songs by Jassie Gift a great plus too?

I'm not surprised by the response they have generated. The fact that our crew members had made the songs their caller tunes even before its release had given me an idea about how popular they would get.

My favourite among them is the title track. In that song the lines that touched my heart are Kandilla yaaru aa devarannu, irabahudu eno ninnante avnu.

Is your character in the film also as distinct as the songs?

At some point in the film, I play a girl who has lost her memory. Bringing out the emotions in such a person was quite a challenge. I wish to add here that the camera angles have enriched my performance. Editing is also crisp. I'll make you cry but it'll be my co-star Kitty who'll blow you away. He'll walk away with accolades. We had a screening for the whole team. After the show, I was so moved by his act that I went up to him and gave him one tight hug.

What about Jhonny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam?

Sanju and Jhonny are two projects that I'm really proud of. Jhonny is a romantic comedy. In fact, my pairing with Vijay has raised eyebrows. But the script demanded just that.

I'm impressed with Vijay's comic timing. He was very spontaneous with his dialogues. 

Is it true that you discouraged the makers of Jhonny from signing Aindrita Ray, who was said to have been considered for your role initially?

Director Preetam Gubi was insistent that I do the role. Also, you'll remember that I was in and out of the project a couple of times over monetary issues. It was only after I was given what I had asked for that I took on the project. So if I didn't want someone else to do the role, why would I have been so firm on my remuneration?

Now considering the good time I had on the sets, I wouldn't mind letting go of the remuneration. But I have already taken it! I thank Gubbi for insisting on me. They were all very sweet.

Apart from Jhonny, I also have a Tamil film called Kadhal  2 Kalyanam to look forward to.

Speaking of Tamil, you were recently accused of being partial to other language cinema while ignoring promotional activities of your Kannada films. You were even called 'anti-Kannada'. What is your reaction?

Actors should not be faced with language divides. And please tell me which film function did I attend for the Tamil or Telugu industry after ditching promotions of my Kannada films? If you find fault with an actor for having acted in other language films, then why not measure filmmakers, who are involved in producing remakes, with the same yardstick?

One more thing, when Kannada filmmakers come to me, they say, you are a Kannada girl and so you must compromise on your demands. And I do it only to find out later that actresses from other industries are in for a better treatment! And it's when you question such things that you become arrogant.

But time and again why have people been terming you alone as arrogant?

That's simply because they hate my guts. I will continue to stand up for my rights.

Going back to the language issue, why weren't you a part of the Kannada film contingent that participated in the world Kannada meet that recently took place in Belgaum? 

I wasn't informed about the event. Moreover, I was touring Europe.

I want to know why I am being targeted when there were many Kannada actors who were in Bangalore and yet had not attended the event.

Now that the Dandam Dashagunam incident is behind you, what else is on your mind?

I'm looking forward to IPL T20 matches that start in April. I will cheer the Bangalore Royal Challengers along with Puneet Rajkumar and Deepika Padukone.

I am also working towards providing solar cookers namely sun-aid to below poverty line people here so as to help them lead a modest life.