Kannada cinema gave me clarity, that still guides me: Ashika Ranganath

I don’t take roles just to be seen. I wait for parts that challenge me and help me grow,” says Kannada actress Ashika Ranganath, who is making her mark in Telugu and Tamil cinema. From big-budget sets like Vishwambhara to her upcoming film with Ravi Teja, Ashika is carefully choosing projects that test her craft while giving her commercial visibility. In a conversation with Bangalore Times, she talks about the lessons Kannada cinema taught her and how she navigates the pressures of working with industry heavyweights.

‘Audiences will see a different side of me in this new role’
Ashika, who stars alongside Chiranjeevi in Vishwambhara, calls working on such a massive set both overwhelming and inspiring. “This is my first big-budget film, and it’s amazing to be part of it. The scale, the VFX, the CGI — everything is huge. As a newcomer to this space, it’s been a wonderful journey so far,” she says. “We’ve already completed about half the shoot, and this role feels like a fresh, modern avatar that Telugu audiences haven’t seen me in before. As an actor, I also have a lot to deliver with this character,” she says.

‘MY FOUNDATION IN KANNADA CINEMA GUIDES MY SCRIPT CHOICES’
For Ashika, working on massive projects comes with a certain responsibility. “I always ask myself how to make my character stand out in the middle of big commercial entertainers. My experience in Kannada cinema has helped me a lot — I began not knowing how to pick roles, but it gave me the foundation to choose scripts and understand what won’t work for me. That clarity I carry into Telugu and Tamil now,” she explains.
‘I BELIEVE IN ENJOYING THE PROCESS; NOT WORKING UNDER PRESSURE’
Ashika notes, “There’s always pressure when you deliver a good performance; people want to know what you’re doing next. There’s curiosity, expectations. But I don’t want to take up projects just to be seen. I waited for roles that excited me personally. Vishwambhara and my film with Ravi Teja came my way because I was patient.” She adds, “Yes, big directors approached me, but things don’t always fall into place immediately. I believe in enjoying the process rather than working under pressure. Acting is as much about patience as it is about performance.” She explains that working across industries helps her channel that patience into something productive. “When I’m waiting for the right Telugu film, I can stay busy with Tamil projects, like Sardar 2 alongside Karthi sir. It keeps me engaged,” she adds.

‘KANNADA WILL ALWAYS BE HOME’
But even with a packed schedule in Telugu and Tamil films, Ashika stays connected to Kannada cinema. “Kannada is where I started, and audiences here have seen me in all kinds of roles — from glamorous to traditional to something unconventional like O2. Now, I feel an added responsibility to do something new and exciting, whether it’s a different pairing or a script with a fresh treatment. I will remain careful about what I choose, but Kannada will always be home,” she says.