When we thought Ramyakrishna was over after getting married, she is back with Baahubali as Sivagami. It was a very powerful role in the part one. She was seen slitting throats of her enemies with a little knife in her hand. As Neelamabari with Rajini she created history and it was a rage across the country in all the languages.
Being the wife of Director Krishnavamsi ,Ramya agrees that the second part will have a lot more drama, “The first part, was only an introduction to the various characters. There were no scenes between Devasena aka Anushka Shetty and myself. Now, in part 2, you will see the actual story unfolding. So you can expect lots of drama between Devasena and myself.”
The actor who has been part of the Southern film industry for decades, is remembered to this day for playing the villainous Neelambari, in a Rajinikanth film. She was a favorite lady to director Raghavendra Rao.
Has the popularity of Sivagami replaced the memory of Neelambari in the viewer’s minds? She laughs, “I’ve done films in several languages, including Hindi. But nothing prepared me for the kind of recognition I’ve received after playing Sivagami. Wherever I travel, be it abroad or in Northern India, unknown people come up to me, recognizing me as Sivagami!
Baahubali has broken all geographical barriers, and I’m totally overwhelmed by the audience response!” How did she get into the skin of a character that has become so popular? “I attribute it all to director SS Rajamouli. The way he narrated the story and my role literally gave me goosebumps. I began feeling I was indeed queen Sivagami. You know, normally I fall asleep during story narrations. But for the very first time, when Rajamouli narrated this story to me, I didn’t even blink for 2 hours.
Every shot, every scene of his description is so clear cut, it’s like watching a video. When a director’s vision is so enthralling, it’s easy to slip into the skin of the character. I didn’t have to do any preparation.
As I listened to him, I couldn’t see anyone else in that role, except myself. I transformed into Sivagami.” The grand sets, the detailing of the beautiful regal costumes further helped, “Once I wore those clothes and jewellery, my whole body language changed into that of a queen.”
A lot is in store for Anushka and Ramyakrishna in the part 2 of Baahubali it is reported. For both of them the part one was like an introduction. We can see young Anushka here.
