Latest news with #SwathiMutthinaMaleHaniye
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Siri Ravikumar joins Pawan Kumar in Kannada's new web series Shodha
ZEE5 Kannada 's much-anticipated suspense thriller Shodha has just turned up the intrigue. The homegrown OTT giant recently announced that the six-episode series will premiere on August 22, with acclaimed filmmaker-actor Pawan Kumar in the lead. The buzz has grown stronger with the addition of the talented Siri Ravikumar in a pivotal role. Known for her memorable performances in Kavaludaari, Sakutumba Sametha, Hope, and Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, Siri is set to bring her trademark depth and charisma to the layered world of Shodha. Backed by KRG Studios, Shodha is helmed by director Sunil Mysooru and written by Suhas Navarathna. The series promises a taut narrative, edge-of-the-seat tension, and compelling character arcs. Reflecting on her involvement, Siri Ravikumar said, "From theatre to films, and from singing to acting in projects that have shaped me as an artist, my journey has always been about embracing compelling narratives. Shodha is one such story, layered, intense, and engaging. I'm thrilled to be part of this gripping thriller on ZEE5." With Pawan Kumar's commanding screen presence and Siri Ravikumar's versatile acting prowess, Shodha is poised to be a must-watch for thriller enthusiasts. The series streams exclusively on ZEE5 from August 22.
Hans India
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Raj B Shetty transforms into Maveera in coastal drama ‘Karavali'
After winning acclaim for Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye and Toby, Kannada cinema's powerhouse Raj B Shetty returns in a fierce new avatar for director Gurudatha Ganiga's upcoming coastal drama Karavali. Set against the visceral backdrop of Karnataka's shoreline, the film stars Prajwal Devaraj in the lead, with Raj stepping into the intense role of Maveera—an enigmatic, primal character deeply rooted in the traditions of Kambala and coastal folklore. A recently unveiled poster featuring Raj B Shetty flanked by two massive buffaloes, whip in hand and mud-streaked, has ignited curiosity. Described by Ganiga as 'a soul born from the soil,' Maveera represents the cultural and emotional gravity of the region. The director recalls a long pursuit of Raj for the role. 'Once Raj saw the footage, he said yes. He didn't just play Maveera—he lived him.' The film, tagged 'Animal vs Human,' explores the primal tension between tradition, survival, and identity. Themes of loyalty and heritage run deep, making Karavali not just a regional drama, but a story with universal resonance. Also starring Mitra, Ramesh Indira, and Sampada, the film is backed by VK Film Association and Ganiga Films, with music by Sachin Basrur and cinematography by Abhimanyu Sadanandan. A 2025 release is expected.
Hindustan Times
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
If Raj B Shetty were to ever direct a star, it would be Shivarajkumar and here's why
As a filmmaker, Raj B Shetty is very clear that he's not interested in directing a star. Having a star onboard a film complicates the filmmaking process, which he's not a fan of. In his three directorial ventures so far, Ondu Motteya Kathe, Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana and Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, he's directed himself, and Rishab Shetty in one o them, before the latter became a pan-Indian Divine Star sensation with Kantara. Raj B Shetty (right) on why he'd direct Shivarajkumar There is, however, one actor that Raj is willing to make an exception to his rule and that is Kannada cinema's Century Star, Shivarajkumar. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Raj spoke about not ever wanting to direct a star, when asked if rumours of him collaborating with Dulquer Salmaan in such a capacity were true. Raj B Shetty: I don't consider Shivarajkumar star; he is… Raj, who has wrapped up a film called 45, in which he has worked with Shivarajkumar and Real Star Upendra, said that neither Kannada superstars ever once showed a 'star aura'. This, he adds, is also why if he were to ever direct a star it would be Shivarajkumar. 'I don't consider him a star; I think he is a man who is much more bigger than a star. So, if I ever direct a star, it would be Mr Shivarajkumar,' said Raj, during the promotions of his latest, Su From So, which is running to packed houses in Karnataka and has begun its box office journey in Kerala too. 45, is the directorial debut of Kannada music composer Arjun Janya, which he wrote during the pandemic, when he lost his brother. According to reports, the story revolves around Raj's character, and what happens upon his death, with Upendra seeking to capture his soul, and Shivarajkumar on a mission to save him. The story, according to the debutant filmmaker is steeped in Sanatana Dharma and is about the 45 days after a person's death. The film was meant to be in theatres along with Coolie and War 2during the Independence Day weekend, but delays in VFX completion have forced the team to push it ahead. A new release date is yet to be announced. The makers are keen to have it in theatres later in the year and will officially announce the date shortly. Su from So is currently playing in theatres with Kannada and Malayalam versions, with a Telugu-dubbed one set to release on August 8. There have been discussions for a Hindi-dubbed version or even a remake, but Raj has never really been a fan of remakes, as he and his team make films that are very rooted in the culture of the place (Mangaluru) that they all hail from. Meanwhile, if you'd like to watch cinematic gems made by the RRR of Kannada cinema – Raj, Rakshit and Rishab Shetty – tune in to OTTplay Premium and stream films like Ulidavaru Kandanthe, Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Be it stage or the screen, the moment the spotlight hits, I am no longer Siri, says Siri Ravikumar
For actress Siri Ravikumar , acting involves shedding her own identity to fully embody the character. 'On stage or screen, I am no longer Siri; the character that takes over. My focus is the character and only the character; never Siri. I don't bring Siri into any role; instead, I strive to become the character I'm playing and do justice to what the role demands,' says Siri, who received a Best Actress award last year for her performance in Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye. In a chat with Bangalore Times, she discusses the opportunities that followed her win, her thoughts on the portrayal of female protagonists in cinema, the demands of theatre and film acting and what continuously draws her back to the stage… 'WINNING 'BEST ACTRESS' WAS A BOOST TO MY CONFIDENCE' Opening up about the opportunities that have come her way since winning the Best Actress award, Siri says, 'The award gave me a platform and boosted my confidence as an actor. But to be honest, the film industry is a bit dull right now — not just Kannada, but overall. There aren't many films or series being made. Still, I've been in conversations for two or three projects, which are likely to begin by July or August. I'm also active in theatre, so that keeps me going. ' I act because I love the process. The recognition is a bonus, But the real joy is in becoming someone else for a while — and telling their story Siri 'WORKING WITH KISHORE WAS EXTREMELY SPECIAL' Her recent theatre ventures include the productions of Love Letters and Parva. Speaking about Love Letters, where she shared the stage with seasoned Kannada actor Kishore, Siri recalls, 'Working with Kishore was truly special. Though he's such a well-known name in cinema, there was no air about him at all. This was his return to theatre after almost 20 years, and he just blended in beautifully.' 'THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON TELLING WOMEN'S STORIES AUTHENTICALLY' On the portrayal of female protagonists in Kannada cinema, she says, 'The focus shouldn't be on making a 'women-centric' film, but on telling women's stories authentically. There are so many interesting stories that can be told from a woman's perspective — be it about a domestic worker, a mother, or a college student. Don't call her fierce or strong or anything, just tell her story. She could be flawed, she could fail — that's fine. Let's stop glorifying women and start writing them as people.' I feel extremely blessed and lucky to have played Prerna in Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye. That role was written for me, how often does that happen. I'm so grateful for that Siri 'THEATRE GIVES ME A HIGH LIKE NO OTHER' For Siri, the difference between theatre and cinema is stark. 'Theatre is all in the moment; you rehearse endlessly, and then you get just one chance to get it right. On screen, there are retakes, but even there, you can't afford too many.' So, what keeps drawing her back to the theatre? 'The high of being on stage: those lights, that adrenaline, the instant connection with the audience. Every rehearsal, every performance brings something new. You watch the play grow from script to stage, and you know you were part of that magic,' she says. ' AS AN INDUSTRY, WE NEED TO TRY PLACING ACTORS IN NEW KINDS OF ROLES' The actress opens up about the challenges of being typecast, which she says is a common concern for actors once they gain recognition. 'That danger is always there; once something works, people want to see you do that again. I do believe that, we, as an industry, need to try placing actors in new kinds of roles and see what works. It shouldn't be one box forever,' she says.
