I am rooted, yet excitedly ready for all things new: Rukmini Vasanth

While Sapta Sagaradaache Ello brought Rukmini Vasanth’s talent into focus, Kantara: Chapter 1 took it several notches higher. Being part of Kantara has drawn national attention to the actor. As she looks ahead to 2026, she has much to share, she tells us. ‘THERE’S A DEEPER AWARENESS, OF REGULATION AND RESTRAIN’ Personally, the most significant shift has been in my approach to performance and filmmaking. There’s a deeper aware ness now — of regulation and restraint. That understanding didn’t come overnight, but Kantara made me more attentive to that calibration.‘I DISCOVERED A CERTAIN RESILIENCE IN MYSELF WHILE SHOOTING IN KARAVALI' A lot was also learnt during the time I spent in the Karavali region. The exposure was intense — the landscape, the terrain, the hills. We would trek up to the forests and immerse ourselves in water for long hours to shoot those beautiful scenes. You’re not indulging yourself as an actor; you’re responding to the space. Somewhere in that process, I discovered a certain resilience in myself. Like water moving over rocks — you don’t force your way through, you find your path. 'A SENSE OF CONSISTENCY SEEMS TO HAVE FOLLOWED ME' It’s honestly been surprising. As an actor, there’s always that fear — that you might just be a one-hit wonder. But instead, there’s been a sense of consistency. The offers coming my way feel aligned with the kind of work I’ve always pursued — stories rooted in social and economic realities, characters that feel lived in rather than designed. There are few projects I’m excited about and his year is about finding my trajectory as an artiste because the work is so varied and diverse. 'THERE’S AN INEXPLICABLE JOY IN DOING SMALL, INTIMATE FILMS TOO' Along with the appreciative nods, there are as sumptions people make. If you’re not careful, that can turn into paranoia or a fear of shaking the goodwill you’ve earned. What surprised me, though, was how open the audience was. Once you’re part of a huge film like Kantara, there’s an assumption that you’ll only do large-scale films. While big tentpole projects give you visibility, there’s an inexplicable joy in doing small, intimate films, too. I’m being offered both, and I’m happy to have my foot in these two worlds. I won’t disassociate myself from any category of films. It’s about working with teams that are deeply invested in material that’s unusual and unique. That’s what makes me approach 2026 with a spirit of adventure. 'MAKING NOTES, WRITING ABOUT WHAT I FEEL HELPS ME SINK INTO THE CHARACTER' My process of choosing films hasn’t dramatically changed — it’s still very instinctive. Some decisions are no-brainers; others need time. I’m a whimsical and passionate person. I’ve always loved maintaining a journal — writ ing down quotes from books I love, poetry, photographs, and all things creative. That’s also part of my process as an actor. I make notes, write about what I feel, and it helps me sink into the character. My time at RADA in London has contributed immensely to shaping me into the actor I am today. ‘I HOLD MY KANNADA IDENTITY VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART' There’s a sense of financial freedom now, even within smaller Kannada films, and that allows everyone to make braver choices. With the attention on the industry and the rise of giant tentpole films, there’s more confidence overall. While I am doing films beyond the language boundary, this is still home for me. I hold my Kanna da identity very close to my heart, and I don’t see myself losing that tag even as I do other regional movies.On Gen Z and meme culture: I’ve embraced it completely! I’m chronically online. I see the tags, the memes, the humour — and I love how quickly Gen Z embraces things. It feels honest, alive and playful. You won’t believe how embarrassingly quickly I see something that’s been posted about me.On yelneer and Bengaluru streets: In Bengaluru, I can’t drink yelneer on the streets anymore — I have it at home. But when I’m travelling, I definitely don’t pass up the opportunity. If that changes someday, I won’t complain. But yes, Yelneer will always be there.On pap culture: With Birbal, followed by Sapta Sagaradaache Ello, Kantara: Chapter 1, and then the internet, the recognition has come in layers. I’m grateful for it, but I try not to be overwhelmed. Pap culture is new to me — it’s different — but I’m learning to engage with it.