'Kantara Chapter 1' star Rukmini Vasanth lauds Rishab Shetty; says her role 'Kanakavathi is not anything like me'

Rukmini Vasanth tried something that she never did before with Rishab Shetty's 'Kantara: Chapter 1'. The actress ventured into a period film, and it looks like the decision worked in her favor by looking at massive box office numbers. Now, in a recent interview, she opened up about the difference between her character and her real self.

Rukmini Vasanth on telling regional stories

In an interview with Cinema Express, while talking about telling stories that are regional and rooted in culture, the actress stated that the reason everyone knows about Ramayana and Mahabharata is because they have been passed down from generation to generation.




Lauding the filmmaker and the production house, she said, "Likewise, it’s a great effort by Rishab Shetty and Hombale Films to tell such rooted stories. Cinema is a powerful and multidisciplinary medium that has the power to carry these stories forward."

Rukmini Vasanth talks about her character Kanakavathi

In the same interview, Rukmini Vasanth shared, "As Kanakavathi, I had to emotionally connect with the rituals, the music, and the atmosphere. Honestly, Kanakavathi is not anything like me."

She added that the role has a different kind of body language. The actress added, "Isn't getting to embody different worlds and characters the best part of being an actor? And I have to make it believable, right?"

The actress acknowledged the fact that what's the point of doing a role she couldn't connect with? She said, "If I don't connect with the core of the character, how will the audience?"

More about 'Kantara: Chapter 1'

Starring Rishab Shetty as the male lead, the film also featured Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah. The movie was released in theaters on October 2, 2025, and is still running in theaters successfully. Apart from Rishab Shetty, audiences also loved the performance of Jayaram in the movie. The movie has crossed Rs 50 crores from Kerala.

Meanwhile, Rukmini will next be seen in Geetu Mohandas' 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups', starring Yash. 'Toxic' is directed by Geethu Mohandas. The expectations are high for 'Toxic'.