Glad people have taken me seriously

Post the success of Love Story (2022), Ivana has been offered several lead roles. In the upcoming Let’s Get Married (LGM) bankrolled by MS Dhoni and, directed by Ramesh Thamilmani, she plays Meera, the hero’s love interest. “My character is a broadminded girl, and keeps asking the hero to get used to everything,” she says.

Impressed with her earlier performances, the film’s director called Ivana and narrated the script. “The moment I learnt that it was Dhoni who was bankrolling it, I said Yes. I am lucky and blessed to land the role,” the actress shares.
She didn’t have much prep to do, as the director wanted her to be spontaneous and natural. He wanted the dialogues to be conversational, colloquial and realistic.

Asked if either Dhoni or his wife Sakshi had dropped in while shooting was going on, she replies in the negative. “But they have been constantly talking to the filmmakers and keeping a tab on what’s happening. They were very involved and paid great attention to details,” she clarifies. Ivana had a fan girl moment when she met Dhoni at the film’s pre-release event.

Acknowledging that Love Today was a turning point in her career, she describes the Pradeep Ranganathan directorial as a ‘career-changing’ film. “Before that film, I wasn’t sure whether to take up acting or not. I was considering becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA). But after Love Today, I decided to become an actress,” she says, adding that she is glad that people have taken her seriously and filmmakers are writing roles for her.