She came to namma Bengaluru all the way from her hometown Virajpet in Kodagu, for studies. Rashmika Mandanna, who took to modelling, to realise her dreams to act, hopes to make a mark in the industry.
She is making her Sandalwood debut with Kirik Party starring Rakhit Shetty, directed by Rishab Shetty of the Ricky fame. The latest Coorg girl to enter into films, talks about her journey from Virajpet, to modelling before finally bagging the film, and her road ahead.
“Soon after pre-university, I came to Bengaluru to study. Currently, I am doing my second year graduation in journalism, english literature and psychology at MS Ramaiah College. Acting was always on my mind, so I took the modelling route to fulfill my dreams. I knew that it was very hard to get into films without any proper background or the right contacts. Choosing modelling to learn the basics to face the camera has helped me,” says Rashmika Mandanna, who admits that it was a whole new world when she landed in Bengaluru, in terms of weather and life style.
The girl who loves making people smile, finds films perfect to convey her emotions to a larger section of society. “I knew what I was getting into, as every profession has its own ups and downs. Though my father was initially scared when I told him and my mom, it was my mother who really freaked out. However, after they met the team of Kirik Party, they realised that it was a great opportunity. They both liked the team, and that was what made me comfortable enough to accept the project,” says Rashmika.
Though she plans to complete her graduation eventually, Rashmika’s goal right now it to excel in films, and to do meaningful projects. “Nothing has changed since I took up Kirik Party. My mother has been accompanying me to the shoots. Apart from that, she has her usual ‘restrictions’ too,” she laughs. While Rashmika speaks Kannada, she is learning to master the language. “I grew up in hostels where English was always the top priority,” she adds.
After meeting the team twice, and a brief screen test, the role was hers. “I portray a mature college girl who is also a write,” she says. Apart from watching television, her college assignments, catching up on sleep, “curfews” keep her busy, she says. Before signing off, the Coorg beauty reveals that she religiously goes to the gym everyday for two hours, and loves dancing, which also helps her keep fit and fine.
