It is her father, who worked as an artiste in films and inspired her journey into the performing arts from an early age. However, studies remained her main priority till she graduated as an engineer. Actress Raashi Balakrishna, who plays the lead in the brand new tele-serial Ishta Devathe on Colors Kannada speaks to Bengaluru Chronicle, sharing her acting journey, starting from movies in Tulu and then in Kannada before taking up her maiden small screen venture.
Unlike many who started their career with tele-serials before venturing into the silver screen, Raashi has taken up offers on small screen even as she is busy with movies in both Tulu and Kannada, which includes Nathuram and Randhava which are slated for release this year.
“Soon after my engineering in electronics and communication from St Joseph’s in Mangaluru, I realised my passion for acting. I got good opportunities in Tulu movies. A couple of my Tulu movies turned out to be great hits running for more than 100 days across the coastal region. Thereafter, I took up Randhava and Nathuram,” says Raashi.
Talking about the inspiration behind her decisions, Raashi says that she is living her father’s dream. “My father, Balakrishna was an artiste and worked in a few films during his 20s but his parents were possessive about him and did not let him continue with his passion. However, my parents allowed me to pursue my passion but it came with the only condition, which was to complete my studies,” she adds.
Soon after college, she gave auditions for Tulu films and one such Tulu film titled Aramerle, where she plays the lead role ran for over 120 days in the coastal regions.
“In Nathuram which is directed by the renowned filmmaker Vinu Balanja, I am paired opposite actor and director Rishabh Shetty, and in this version of his film, the protagonist is a follower of the Gandhian philosophy,” she says, adding that it was Mr. Balanja who guided her to join the tele-serial Ishta Devathe, where she plays the role of Devaki, a dancer and an atheist.
She goes on to add that she took it up for the wonderful subject penned by Ranjani Raghavan of Puttagowri Maduve fame, who she says is a gem of a person to work with. She also shares the screen with senior actress Bhavya.
“I was a bit nervous to work with Bhavya madam but she is a great artiste who supported me all through. It was a great learning experience. I am enjoying working in the television industry which has its own share of fame and popularity,” Raashi concludes.
