Venkat Raman
The Southern State of Karnataka, which is now the centre of attention in India with the election results (for the Legislative Assembly) due to be announced this week (with counting of voting starting today, May 15, 2018), is also known for its contributions to the Indian film industry.
Super State with Superstars
From Superstar Rajnikanth, the ‘Cultural Icon’ the late Dr Raj Kumar, ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi’ Bangalore Saroja Devi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Shilpa Shetty, Anushka Shetty, Suniel Shetty to the late Jayalalitha Jayaram, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the State has perhaps launched a thousand faces over the past five decades.
It is therefore natural for young men and women from the State to seek stardom.
Among them is Anusha Rai, who contacted us from her hometown (Bengaluru) greeting Indian Newslink readers and seeking their blessings and good wishes.
“I hope to visit New Zealand sometime soon. I have heard that it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world,” she said, to which we added, “Indeed, we also have a vibrant Kannada-speaking community here.”
Anusha is making waves in Sandalwood, a reference to the Kannada film industry.
Although not a portmanteau, the name signifies Karnataka’s fame as sandalwood producer.
‘Karshanam’ raises hope
Anusha mentioned about ‘Karshanam,’ which is currently under production.
She signed up just last month to work in this romantic entertainer directed by Sharavana and produced by Dhananjay Atre.
The film has already raised hopes in the box office.
‘Karshanam’ is her third Kannada movie, in which she is cast as a Crime Reporter with Srinivas Murthy, Vijay Chend and Gautham Manamohan in pivotal roles.
The movie revolves around two murder cases, weaved between which is romance.
“I hope it would enable me to reach out to the Tamil and Hindi film industry. I have been fortunate to work in good films and television serials and my aim is to become a good actress,” she said.
Modest family
Like most people in the film industry, Anusha grew up in a family of modest economic background in Bengaluru. Her father Hanumanth Raj is a Lecturer in a College while her mother Bhagya is a homemaker.
She pursued her graduation in Electronics and Communication at the Acharya Institute of Technology in the Karnataka Capital.
Anusha evinced keen interest in the film industry even in her formative years and debuted as an actress in the television serial ‘Annaiah.’
But it was her interest in music that fetched her a role in the Kannada film industry.
As a student at Hamsalekha Music School, she was spotted by the production team of ‘Mahanubhavaru,’ and was offered a lead role in the film.
Starring opposite Balachander, who also produced the film, she got her initial break.
Embarrassing First Day
Her first day on the sets spread laughter but she felt embarrassed.
The scene required Anusha to pour water on a garden set.
The cinematographer said, “On Camera! Action! Pour water!”
She promptly poured water on the camera.
Every actor has nervous twitches in front of the camera on the first day but soon their career begins to move.
That has been the story of this young, upcoming star.
“My most memorable moment was my first shoot; that was my dream,” she said.
Turning Point with ‘BMW’
‘BMW,’ (an acronym for Bangalore Men’s & Women’s College) was a turning point in her film career. Directed by Gandharva Raya Rawuth, the film gave her importance, along with co-stars Praveen Tej, Akash Singh Rajputh, Sriram Gandharva, Poorvi Priyanka Malnad and Ekta Rathod.
Another film of significance was ‘Goosi Gang,’ a romantic entertainer that was popular with most movie fans. Her Anusha’s other movies of importance were ‘Radharamana,’ ‘Nagakannike,’ ‘Sarayoo,’ and Tamil film, ‘Vani Rani.’
Popular TV Serial
According to ‘Entertainment Times’ (of Times of India), Anusha may soon make her debut in the neighbouring Malayalam film industry, popularly known as Mollywood.
Her television serial ‘Nagakannike’ (in which she falls in love with a protagonist in the absence of snake-woman played by Aditi Prabhudeva), is telecast on ‘Colors Kannada’ Channel from Monday to Friday at 730 pm (Indian Standard Time).
“I find motivation in every challenge, because every challenge brings with it an opportunity to grow. I also challenge myself to come up with creative ideas to improve something, make something new, find a way to solve a problem, or overcome the challenge itself. I believe that self-determination will always bring success,” Anusha said.
She can also be seen as Nimmi in ‘Ithu Enna Kadhal,’ a Tamil Television Serial to be telecast in Sri Lankan Channels. We will update when details are at hand.
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Photo Caption:
Anusha Rai, an actress on the grow
(Pictures Supplied)
