It won’t be wrong to say Ragini Prajwal (nee Chandran) is a woman of multiple talents. A dancer, model and entrepreneur, she ticked off yet another box by making her acting debut with Raghu Samarth’s Kannada film Law. The courtroom drama premiered today on Amazon Prime Video. While the audience is enjoying Law at home, Ragini is all excited hand over the piece of art that is made with love, hard work and devotion towards cinema.
The model-turned-actress and wife of popular Kannada actor Prajwal Devaraj, Ragini spoke to PeepingMoon.com about making her debut with Law, the challenges that came across and the film getting a direct-to-web release over a theatrical one.
Ragini with Prajwal Devaraj
Excerpts from the interview:
What motivated you to take up acting?
I never planned an acting career as dance and my studio have always been my priority. Though I’ve been a model for eight years now but never thought of acting in particular. Previously, I’ve only taken up ads and short films as dance has been first for me. When Raghu came home with the script, I felt Law is the right film to make my acting debut with.
Why Law?
As a debut, Law is the best film as my character is strong, prominent and not just a glam doll. The only reason for signing Law is the script. When I got to know there is no hero and I realised everything was on my shoulder in my very first film. However, after listening to the script, I understood the narrative was the hero. The audience will look at you on the basis of your acting if you get a chance to play a strong character such a strong character in your first film.
How was it to face the camera for your first full-fledged Kannada film?
I’ve been modelling for a long time hence facing the camera wasn’t new to me. Considering Law is a full-fledged Kannada film, I had to work on my dialogue delivery and get pronunciations right. Being a classical dancer, you tend to overact with your expressions. For the film, I had to unlearn. The advantage of being a classical dancer is that we don’t hesitate to express. My expertise in dance played a key role.
Are you planning to take your acting career forward? Any plans to enter Bollywood?
I haven’t planned anything as of now. I am going with the flow. For me, it isn’t about making an acting career now as I have set an example by making my acting debut post marriage. If there is something good that is content-driven, then I’ll look into it. Coming to Bollywood, if any opportunity that makes sense comes my way then why not.
How did your family react to Law?
Firstly, I’ve never been questioned why did I sign up for the film when I am pre-occupied with dance, modelling and my studio. I’m blessed that my parents and my parents-in-law have been supportive and encouraging me throughout. Ever since the trailer released, my father-in-law comes to me asking, ‘how many views did it get today?’
How did you prepare for your character?
I play the role of Nandini, a strong-headed law graduate who voices her opinion without thinking about societal pressures. I feel every girl should be like her. I relate to Nandini as in real-life I am not diplomatic. There was nothing out of the way. When it came to the courtroom sequences, I had to work on them particularly.
Law being an investigative thriller, what were the challenges while shooting?
Rather than challenges, I would call them learning experiences. I’m blessed to be surrounded by senior actors and got to learn from them. The major ‘challenge’ was to get the pronunciations right as courtroom dramas require a particular flow to take the narrative forward.
Do you think content-driven films gaining ground in recent times?
Cinema is all about entertainment. It doesn’t have to be a documentary with a message at all times. It is up to the director what he wants to show his audience. I feel content-driven films with a commercial aspect always work. For example, KGF. The film had no social message but the way it reached out to the audience and the magnitude was massive. I believe all nava rasa need to touched upon in a film.
Law is getting a direct-to-web release instead of a theatrical one. What’s your view on this?
Both have their own pros and cons. There are certain films that deserve a theatrical release. A lot has been invested while making them. When you watch them, the theatre experience is needed. On the other hand, I don’t think OTT is any lesser. Films released on digital platforms can reach out to multiple countries. As a part of the industry, we should accept both.
