A role that turned into a reward: How Rukmini Vasanth found herself in 'Kantara'

When she stepped out of the theatre after watching the first part of 'Kantara' (2022), filled with excitement, Rukmini Vasanth never imagined, even in her wildest dreams, that she would be part of the sequel.

South Indian actress Rukmini Vasanth shares how the character Kanakavathy, which she portrayed in 'Kantara – A Legend Chapter 1', turned out to be one of the most beautiful surprises cinema has gifted her. She also talks about the joy of being part of 'Kantara' and the preparations she undertook for the film.

The road less travelled
Kanakavathy was a character that gave me immense satisfaction as an actor. The journey to each location was a challenge. Reaching many of the places where 'Kantara' was shot was a task in itself. Transporting large lighting equipment to these locations was impossible, so many scenes were filmed using natural light. Nature plays a vital role in this movie, just as it did in the first part of 'Kantara'.

Before dawn, into character
On many days, I had to be ready by 5 am. Even before that, I had to complete the full makeup and costume. That alone took a minimum of two and a half hours. The journey to the location took around 45 minutes, which meant waking up and getting ready by 2 or 3 am. But witnessing the beauty of the scenes we shot made all the struggles worthwhile. That’s such a joyful feeling.

Preparations
I underwent training in horse riding and Kalaripayattu. The horse-riding sessions were held in Bengaluru and Singapore. There wasn’t enough time to train for the action sequences, so most of it was learned on the spot.

A career surprise
Rishab Shetty had watched my films. The director and scriptwriter of 'Sapta Sagaradaache Ello', in which I acted, are his friends. My performance in that film was what caught his attention. When I watched the first part of 'Kantara', I never imagined I’d be part of the second. That alone made this a huge surprise in my career. And surprises always add to the happiness.

Choosing roles with heart
I’ve been fortunate to be part of some of the best films. Opportunities come in many ways — you can ask for chances, and there are plenty of auditions. But in my case, the films came to me, and I chose the best among them. I selected projects based on several factors, such as the nature of the character, the significance of the role, and whether it offered scope for performance.

The hardworking Rishab Shetty
This film is significant for me in many ways. Rishab sir was the one who had the confidence to bring me on board. 'Kantara' is the first pan-Indian film of my career. It was his belief that I could do justice to the character of Kanakavathy. He is incredibly hardworking and pleasant. Even while shooting in difficult conditions and overcoming many challenges, he remained calm and composed.

Malayali connection
I had done an advertisement — Malabar Gold’s Brides of India — several years ago. I hadn’t started acting back then. Many may not have realised it was me in that ad. The Malayali audience always welcomes good content with open arms. The Malayalam industry is blessed with talented actors, and expectations are naturally high. I’m happy to have lived up to those expectations.