Such a long journey!

It was around this time of the year in 2009 when Veera Madakari starring Kichcha Sudeepa released across the state running to full houses. With it, started the journey of an actress who went onto create a niche for herself, from featuring in several hit films by portraying versatile characters to featuring in solo action ventures, which earned her the title of action queen of sandalwood, after the immensely talented Malashree.

Ragini Dwivedi who completes her decade long journey in the industry shares that it has been nothing less than an adventurous roller-coaster ride filled with learning experiences. As she sets her eyes on the next decade, the actress goes into a rewind mode fishing the best out of it, and more.

She describes her journey in her own words, saying, “Ten years has taught me so much. Showed me all the ups and downs and made me stronger to keep fighting for something that I love and adore so much. Your (her fans) constant support and love has been the only reason to be standing strong and making a mark.”

Adding to it, Ragini shares that it feels like yesterday when she was busy on the sets of Veera Madakari and now 10 years later, she is still busy on the sets of another film. “It is certainly not an ordinary feat for an actress especially when she has no godfather in the industry. As a Punjabi, and a daughter to an Army man, who has served in various positions across the nation for over 25 years, growing up in such scenario has taught me to survive and adapt to the challenges life throws at one. With age and time, I have gained experience and learnt a lot of things. I have had a roller coaster ride but I do not regret even a single day out of it. There will always be ups and down, and I enjoy my journey as it comes. I guess I was destined to be a proud Kannadathi, with all the immense love and affection of my loves ones,” she says.

In fact, Ragini who was busy with modelling when she was being offerer to do films and finally okayed her first film titled Holi. It is here where she was recognised by the team of Sudeepa. “I never learnt acting or even dancing. I was into modelling when I kept getting offers for films. My mother and I finally okayed Holi and during the launch press meets, I was introduced to Kichcha Sudeepa, who was in search of a new face for his next. I remember that it was Kichcha’s birthday when I first met him and within a week, I was shooting with him,” she says.

Among the firsts, Ragini started the trend of lead actresses featuring in ‘item’ numbers which is now known to be as special numbers in film. Her Tuppa Beka Tuppa song from the film Kalla Malla Sulla is one of her most popular special song in her career.

That’s not all, Ragini made a smooth transition from heroine roles to portraying solo-action flicks. “It is a huge responsibility. I am probably first actress in the country, who had a film named after her. Ragini IPS is very close to me and the kind of response it achieved, is very special to me”.

She is the lone actress in the state who has a record of 12 registered fans association, all of whom are involved in social service activities. “They wanted to celebrate my achievement but I insisted on not wasting money and to use it for the needy. However, they continue to celebrate my birthday and involve themselves in various social services.”

Recently, her name was being dragged into a controversy involving two men in an alleged fight in a star hotel, to which the actress strongly reacts saying that she is no way associated with the incident in question. “It is a matter between two men and I was simply a witness to it, as anyone else who was president at the venue. If need be or questioned, I will give a statement to the police. I am no way related to either of them and hence dragging me into it and make it into a controversial issue is not appreciated at all”.

As far as her bucket list goes, the actress who is presently shooting her first full fledged comedy film with Sharan in Adyaksha in America and then Gandhigiri with Prem, shares that she is also busy taking care of her mother’s company along with the plans to producing meaningful television shows in the near future. She also hopes to realise her dream of being a part of a fantasy and periodic venture.