Raj B Shetty: Can’t wait to show the world how good you are, Siri Ravikumar

Today, filmmaker-actor Raj B Shetty presented the first look of the leading lady of his next as director, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye. “Presenting Siri Ravikumar as Prerana. Thank you Siri for what you brought into this film. Can’t wait to show the world how good a performer you are,” he wrote, along with an image of the actress from the film.

Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye is Kannada actress Ramya’s first home production, under her Applebox Studios banner. And if things had gone as per Raj’s initial plan, it would have been Ramya in the picture and not Siri, as the film was meant to be the former’s comeback vehicle. In an interview with OTTplay, Ramya had explained why she decided against being a part of the film as an actor and limiting her involvement to being producer only. “Raj and I decided to collaborate with me producing the film and Raj directing. Although we initially thought that I would act too, once the final script was ready, the role felt better suited for a newer, fresher face. I read the script multiple times before taking that call, because I was giving up on a really good role. But then, I felt that it is the film that is important. I can’t be selfish as an actor and insist that I do it. I listed my reasons for not wanting to do it, based on elements in the script, and once Raj heard me out, he also agreed that a relative newcomer would be better and that’s when he suggested Siri Ravikumar,” said Ramya.

Also read: Exclusive! I must evolve as an artiste and can’t do what I did 20 years ago: Ramya 

The official social media handle of Applebox Studios also shared Siri’s look from the film, adding, “Prerana, which has its origin in Sanskrit, means inspiration. Tell us what inspires you.” Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye is Raj’s third directorial, after Ondu Motteya Kathe and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana. The film was shot in a single schedule of 18 days.