‘Would there be takers for a series like Adolescence in India?': Nandita Das
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The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Rachita Ram on Lokesh Kanagaraj's ‘Coolie': Always wanted to play a Neelambari-like character in Rajini sir's movie
Rachita Ram is a huge fan of Rajinikanth's 1999 blockbuster Padayappa. The film instilled in her the dream of working with the superstar and sparked her love for complex characters, such as Neelambari, essayed with aplomb by Ramya Krishnan. For the past decade, Rachita has reigned as one of Kannada cinema's leading ladies, featuring alongside stars such as Darshan in Bulbul (2013), Sudeep in Ranna(2015),Puneeth Rajkumar in Chakravyuha (2016), Upendra in I Love You (2019), and Shivarajkumar in Rustum (2019). Yet, even before her film debut, she hinted at her flair for cunning roles with her television breakthrough in Arasi. After years of being a second fiddle to the hero with glamour and charm, Rachita's desire to explore a character with grey shades became reality when filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj approached her for Coolie, his maiden project with Rajinikanth. 'When Lokesh asked me what kind of a role I fancied, I told him I want to play someone like Neelambari,' she tells The Hindu in an exclusive chat. 'Lokesh was a bit surprised with my choice, considering I am known for my female lead characters in Kannada. Being an antagonist gives you a lot of room to perform. It's the kind of challenge I would love to take up more often,' she adds. Rachita is one of the biggest surprise factors in Coolie, which hit the screens on August 14, 2025. In a star-studded cast involving Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Shoubin Shahir, and Aamir Khan, not many expected Rachita to shine, more so because she had a blink-and-you-miss appearance in the movie's trailer. The makers also stayed away from introducing her character during the promotional phase. 'Lokesh was particular that my character wasn't discussed anywhere pre-release, because he was sure my role would make a huge impact after the release,' reveals Rachita. Lokesh's instinct was proven right when Rachita's performance won praise. She admits to being overwhelmed by the response from people who weren't familiar with her work. Her biggest compliment came from the superstar himself, something she had to remain tight-lipped about until the film was out. 'It's been a year since I got that phone call from Rajini sir. I had returned from a shooting schedule in Bangkok when he called to say I had done an excellent job. He said it was great to see a Kannadada hudgi (Kannada girl)perform so well. I told him his words were bigger than Oscars for me. For one year, it was so tough not to tell the world about this.' Rachita loved how she was made to feel at ease by Rajinikanth and Lokesh from the first day of her shoot. 'I had a small chat with Rajini sir after the shoot. He was curious about the developments in the Kannada film industry. He recollected some of his works in Kannada cinema. He assured me that my character in Coolie would have a huge impact on the audience.' As an actor, Rachita believes in spontaneity on sets. 'I didn't prepare much before my scenes in Coolie. Lokesh wasn't particular about rehearsals either. He was very specific about the all-important transformation of my character. To ace that switch in personality, he told me to keep in mind that I am a trained police officer. I had to ensure I exhibit the character trait of a trained officer, especially in the action sequence,' she explains. The first approval of her efforts came from the cast and crew on sets, recalls Rachita. 'Anbariv masters were happy with how I pulled off the action scene. This was my first-ever action sequence. I used to get petrified when actors performed stunts in my movies. Also, when I revealed the big surprise in the tense scene, people on the set applauded. I got the same kind of applause in a crucial scene with Nagarjuna sir,' she says. Rachita's performance in Coolie could open the door for more non-Kannada opportunities for the actor. This dream Tamil debut wouldn't have happened if not for her chance meeting with Lokesh at an awards ceremony. 'I told him to give me a script with a strong female protagonist. After seeing his Agent Tina character in Vikram (2022), I wanted to get a Kannada film made on a script by Lokesh. ALSO READ: 'Coolie': Does Upendra make an impact in Rajinikanth-Lokesh Kanagaraj film? 'He loved my confidence. I was desperate to do a role with villainous shades. In Kannada, filmmakers were hesitant to think beyond the traditional heroine role. They would always tell me, 'How can a girl with a cute and chubby face petrify people?' Thankfully, Lokesh believed in seeing me differently on screen. With Coolie, Rachita feels she has answered her detractors. 'In recent times, I saw several comments on social media that they were tired of seeing me. They felt it was time for me to get married and retire from acting. I am glad to have answered them through my work,' she says.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Thought-provoking photos win prizes
Vijayawada: District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha announced the winners of a district-level photography competition held in honour of World Photography Day (August 19). He stated that the submitted photographs were not only thought-provoking but also conveyed an artistic message. Speaking from his chamber at the Collectorate here, Dr Lakshmisha said the competition was organised by the district administration to encourage and enhance the skills of amateur photographers. The contest featured three categories - 1. Tourism, Swachh Andhra, and Yoga Andhra, 2. Mother's Tribute / Education and NTR Bharosa Pensions and 3. Best News Picture. A total of 186 entries were submitted and judged by a six-member panel. In the first category, G N Rao (The Hindu) won first prize, Ch V Mastan (TheHans India) came in second, and KVS Giri (The Hindu) secured third. Consolation prizes were awarded to C. Mallikarjun (Eenadu), P Rajesh (Andhra Jyothy), M Prashanth (The Indian Express), Ch Narayana Rao (Deccan Chronicle), P. Prasad (SDM) and S S Vijay Babu (Times of India). For the second category, A Rajendra Prasad (I&PR) took first place, followed by G N Rao (The Hindu) in second, and R V Appa Rao (Freelancer) in third. Consolation prizes went to K V S. Giri (The Hindu), A. Ramachandra Rao (Prajashakti), B Maridaiah (Eenadu), Y V V Satyanarayana (Eenadu), Sampath Kumar (Eenadu), and M P S K Durgaprasad (Eenadu). In the third category for Best News Picture, Ch. Narayana Rao (Deccan Chronicle) won first prize, G Mahesh (Times of India) came in second, and M Prashanth (The Indian Express) placed third. Consolation prizes were given to G V Narayana (Andhra Jyothy), N Kishore (Sakshi), B Maridaiah (Eenadu), K Chakrapani (Sakshi), D Lakshman (Andhra Jyothy), and B Satish Kumar (Andhra Jyothy). The winners will be honoured with cash prizes, certificates of appreciation, and mementos at the World Photography Day event on August 19. Dr Lakshmisha thanked the judges - K Ravi, Ch Vijay Bhaskar, G Anitha, T Srinivas Reddy, D. Seetaram, and K Ravikumar—for their transparent selection process. He stated that every participant was a winner and that future competitions will be held for press photographers, studio photographers and local amateurs to further promote the tourist, cultural, and historical sites in the district. The event was attended by DIPRO K V Ramana Rao, DPRO S V Mohana Rao, Divisional PRO K Ravi, AVSVV Prasad, senior photojournalist Ch Vijay Bhaskar, and various print media photojournalists.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Dark clouds fail to deter the spirits of people at Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day
The 79th Independence Day programme, themed around 'Naya Bharat' and Operation Sindoor, took place on Friday (August 15, 2025) morning under overcast skies. The grey skies and intermittent rainfall, however, did not dampen the spirits of those in the audience as they cheered during the 103-minute speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Red Fort. The guests ranged from the Indian contingent of Special Olympics 2025 and village sarpanches to beneficiaries of the Lakhpati Didi scheme and best-performing interns under the PM internship scheme. Before the PM unfurled the national flag at 7.30 a.m., it began raining, leading many to cover up with raincoats provided at the venue. A pop of colour appeared in the grey skies when Indian Air Force helicopters showered flower petals on the audience, and when Tiranga balloons were released in the air. The children in the audience ran around the venue to collect the petals that were being showered and cheered as the balloons were seen floating in the sky. Rohit Singh, 38, a private sector employee who keeps traveling between Lucknow and Delhi, said the rain did not matter, as it was his first time attending the Independence Day function. 'The entire programme was systematic and it instilled a patriotic feeling. It is special because my five-year-old daughter was excited and enjoyed the programme.' For his daughter, Samriddhi Singh, 5, who collected flower petals from the floor and kept it in her pocket, the most memorable part of the programme was the 'shower of flower petals'. Also Read | Independence Day highlights Sitting in the visitor's section, Neha Yadav (24) from Faridabad, exclaimed how attending the larger than live event has always been a far fetched dream. 'None of us ever thought we could hear the Prime Minister's address from the Red Fort, but when my nephew, a student at Delhi University arranged passes for us, I was ecstatic,' she said. While visitors shared their joy of being able to be part of the event, those like the sportspersons and Lakhpati didis who received invites as the special guests for the celebration expressed sheer joy and sentimentality. Speaking to The Hindu, Bhawna Yadav (36), a beneficiary of the Lakhpati didi scheme and drone, exclaimed how receiving a special invitation made her labour feel recognised. 'I have been working as a Banking correspondent for 4 years and operating a drone for a year to spray crops, but being selected as a special guest from my state has made me feel that my labour is recognised,' she said. For Heena Rajgur, a sportsperson from Gujarat who practices Yogasana, the journey from seeing the event on television to being a special guest for the event has been joyous and special. 'My family would always huddle near our television to watch the Prime Minister deliver the Independence Day speech, and now to be invited for the event has been an emotional journey,' said Ms. Rajgur. As the Prime Minister's speech ended, he made his way from the podium to the enclosure where several NCC cadet members were seated. Walking in a saffron turban, Mr. Modi crossed the sea of white and try-colour uniform wearing cadets and interacted with them. A group of three NCC cadets, Rosa, Himanshi and Swati, from Zakir Hussain Delhi College said that PM addressing Operation Sindoor made them feel 'patriotic'. One of them, Himanshi Bisht, 19, said, 'Our favourite part of the programme was when the PM mentioned GST reforms.' Another student, Prachi Nanda Thakur, 20, said, 'The PM stopped by and told us 'How could I leave without meeting you all?' It was a good feeling.' Meanwhile, Harshita Dargan, 18, a B Tech student, said, 'We were glad to hear the PM speak about technology and the future of India.' Band performances were conducted by the bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF and Assam Rifles at over 140 prominent locations throughout the country. Meanwhile, to commemorate the Independence Day celebration, the Capital had been fortified with the deployment of over 11,000 security forces and 3,000 traffic police to ensure the safety of the attendees of the high-profile event. Commercial vehicles were prohibited from entering the city for a day in advance several special teams were deployed for round-the-clock monitoring. Surveillance was also done through CCTV cameras, drone detection systems and facial recognition systems.
