Kannada actress Ramya calls it quits

Last week, actor Ramya was having the time of her life. She was in a different place, different time zone, and a different frame of mind — that of happiness. The moment she landed in Bangalore, she could not help but dive right into a controversy.

This was followed by a collective ambush by many film-makers alleging that she was irresponsible and unprofessional, which took a toll on her, so much so that she announced her retirement from films.

Ramya, who feels that even a decade in the industry hasn’t brought people to respect her enough, says, “I hope it will be a lesson. No other girl should suffer in this industry.”

The actor, who has never shied away from speaking her mind out, this time, has chosen to stay away from it all, refraining to comment on the allegations made by producer of her film Dhandam Dashagunam, A Ganesh. The producer accused her of being unprofessional when she didn’t attend the film’s audio release.

Ramya says, “I am not the sort who does not promote my own films. I have a valid reason here for not attending that function. Ganesh didn’t respond to my calls nor did he give me an idea on when he would return the money I had lent him. I have a letter from him stating that he borrowed money from me to complete the film. Rather than deal with issues, he’s gone all out to use my name for publicity.” She’s even given him a 48-hour deadline to settle her dues, which she posted on Twitter.

Adding to the blow is veteran film-maker SV Rajendra Singh Babu, who Ramya feels has no reason to join in to slander her.

“I shot for his film Bhimoo’s Bang Bang Kids. The film is stuck because of financial hassles. I don’t understand why he would drag me into it instead of sorting out his own issues,” ponders a rather hurt Ramya. Sources say that Babu’s involvement may have something to do with the fact that A Ganesh’s next project stars the former’s son Aditya.

Ramya finds it hard to believe that she continues to struggle with such injustice and ego hassles even after being part of the industry for over 10 years.

“I have helped people only to hear them label me as the traitor. I am through with this kind of behaviour. This is the reason I have decided to retire early. I’ll lose my stability if I continue to be a part of this industry where people spare no time or thought before they kick dirt. I also hope people realise what women go through in this industry,” signs off the firebrand actor, who is waiting for the release of two other Kannada films — Sanju Weds Geetha and Johnny Mera Naam.