Latest news with #Kushee
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kannada web series has finally found its space on OTT: Kushee Ravi
Kushee Ravi , known for her roles in films like Dia, Pindam and Case of Kondana, features in the lead role in a web series that has pushed Kannada content into the national OTT space. With Ayyana Mane marking the beginning of a hopeful journey in the history of Kannada content on OTT, Kushee tells us all about her experience on the set, and more. Read on: 'IT FEELS LIKE THE KANNADA INDUSTRY HAS BEEN SIDELINED ON OTT, THIS HAS TO CHANGE' 'I have heard people say Kannada content lacks pan-India appeal or scale. Others mention payment models or long approval processes. But no one gives a clear answer. It feels like we're being sidelined, and that needs to change,' states Kushee. 'I SAID YES TO AYYANA MANE IMMEDIATELY' Ramesh Indira, the director of the series, narrated the story beautifully and I imagined myself as Jaji (the character she plays on the show). I didn't know it was for OTT, and that too, a national platform. 'I DID MY RESEARCH BEFORE PLAYING THE ROLE OF JAJI' I'd never played a woman like Jaji before — vulnerable, yet fiercely strong. I spoke to my mother and grandmother to understand the emotional nuances of a woman adjusting to a new family. I also watched a lot of '90s films, especially Sudharani ma'am's and Soundarya ma'am's, to grasp the subtlety needed for this role. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) 'WE HAD A VERY HEALTHY COMPETITION ON AYYANA MANE SET' With this show, I got to work alongside a dynamic cast, and each of us pushed the other to perform better. It wasn't ego-driven; it was just a mutual desire to bring our best to the table. It was a very healthy competition among all of us. 'KEY TO SUCCESS LIES IN CRAFTING STORIES THAT ARE ROOTED AND RELATABLE' There's this assumption that TV audiences won't move to OTT, but I disagree. The key to success lies in crafting stories that are rooted and relatable. As long as the content is compelling, audiences will find it, whether it's on TV or OTT. 'AN EIGHT-HOUR RULE DOESN'T WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY IN THE LONG RUN' Weighing in on the ongoing topic of actresses, especially new mothers, who have asked for an eight-hour work schedule during shoots, Kushee, who is also a mother, says, 'An eight-hour rule doesn't work in this industry. From early morning call to late into the night, shoots are unpredictable. Flexibility is important on both sides, from the actors and directors. For new moms, setting time boundaries is valid, but there shouldn't be one rule for all. '
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kushee Ravi Interview: Medium may change, but an actor's commitment remains constant
Kushee Ravi, who rose to fame with the heartrending film Dia , is stepping into new territory with Ayyana Mane , ZEE5's first original Kannada web series. For an actor who values rehearsals, method acting, and staying true to the script, this shift to OTT is as thoughtful as it is thrilling. 'I wasn't fully prepared for OTT,' Kushee says honestly. 'But Dia got noticed only after its OTT run. That's when other industries began noticing me too. So yes, I do understand its power.' Does she see OTT as the future? 'Partially,' she reflects. 'The theatre experience can't be replicated at home. But we have to evolve with the times. I'm aligning with the present.' Everything about Ayyana Mane felt fresh—a new format, a new schedule, a new mindset. 'When director Ramesh Indira approached me, he didn't even mention it was a web series,' she recalls. 'He simply said, 'Come hear a narration.' I was on my toes. He's such a phenomenal actor—and what many don't realise is how unique he is as a director too.' It was Indira's sensitivity towards women characters that drew Kushee in. 'When I heard his vision for Ayyana Mane , I knew it would be creative, well-planned, and deeply rehearsed. And knowing it's ZEE5's first Kannada web original only added to the excitement.' Set in 1990s Chikkamagaluru, the series is a crime thriller about a joint family living in a bungalow. Three daughters-in-law have died under mysterious circumstances. When Kushee's character becomes the fourth bride in the family, she sets out to uncover the truth. Produced by Shruthi Naidu, the series blends suspense with deep-rooted family emotions. The cast also includes Akshaya Naik, Manasi Sudhir, and Vijay Shobharaj. The story also touches upon the fictional worship of Kondayya Daiva—a spiritual force inspired by Daiva traditions of coastal Karnataka. 'This is not a Kantara copy,' Kushee clarifies. 'It's a completely different tale, rooted in another region and culture.' Shot in just 20 days, the series combines mystery, thrill, and emotional resonance. 'I play a soft-spoken girl, newly married into a large household. Like many women of the '90s, she's raised to adjust and stay quiet. But she evolves. She grows stronger. She starts to speak up.' To prepare, Kushee immersed herself in the era. 'The early '90s aren't well documented, so I turned to old films—Sudharani, Soundarya—to study their body language. I spoke to my amma and ajji about their early married days. My mom grew up in a joint family and gave me amazing insights.' On set, Indira's clarity was a huge asset. 'He's a true visionary. He watched every scene with a sharp eye. If something didn't click, he would rework it instantly. I just had to follow. That kind of creative guidance is rare.' Even as she makes her OTT debut, Kushee hasn't left cinema behind. 'I have five films at different stages,' she says with pride. 'There's Son of Muthanna , Naaku Thanti —an anthology that might go bilingual— One Way , which is a bold indie experiment, and Neethi , a film that walks the line between mainstream and artistic cinema. I'm excited to see them on the big screen.' Balancing both worlds is her focus now. 'I want to explore cinema and OTT. I believe in versatility, but I also want to stay grounded in what I do.' She signs off with a sentiment that rings true for many actors making the leap: 'Medium may change, but an actor's commitment remains constant. And when it's the first of its kind, it stays special.'
