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Ramya (actress)

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Ramya
File:DivyaSpandana.jpg
Ramya in Vaaranam Aayiram movie
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
August 2013 – 18 May 2014
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byN. Chaluvaraya Swamy
Succeeded byC. S. Puttaraju
ConstituencyMandya
Personal details
Born
Divya Spandana

(1982-11-29) 29 November 1982 (age 41)
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Political partyIndian National Congress
Profession
  • Film actress
  • Film producer
  • Politician

Divya Spandana (born 29 November 1982), better known by her screen name Ramya (in Kannada film industry), is an Indian actress, producer and politician. She served as the Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Mandya, Karnataka. She primarily works in Kannada, and Tamil language films. Ramya was the recipient of two Filmfare Awards South, an Udaya Award, and a Karnataka State Film Award.

Ramya made her acting debut in the 2003 Kannada-language film Abhi. Although she has sporadically worked in Tamil and Telugu films her work in Kannada film industry garnered her greater attention.[1][2] She won the Udaya Award and Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the Amrithadhare (2005) and Tananam Tananam (2006) respectively. Her performance as the eponymous heroine in the 2011 romantic drama Sanju Weds Geetha garnered her further critical success and a Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. Ramya has also starred in the 2011 blockbuster fantasy film Katari Veera Surasundarangi and other commercially successful films including the 2016 epic-fantasy Nagarahavu. After a brief hiatus from acting, she made a comeback to films by producing the film Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye in 2023 under the "AppleBox Studios" banner.[3]

Ramya joined the Indian National Congress in 2012 as a member of its youth wing; she later won a 2013 by-election to become a Member of Parliament for Mandya constituency in Karnataka, but was defeated in the general elections the following year.

Early life

Ramya was born in Bangalore, Karnataka, on 29 November 1982.[4][5][6] Her parents are from Mandya; mother Ranjitha is a senior member of the Congress Party in Karnataka while her foster father, R. T. Narayan, was an industrialist.[7][8] He fostered her since she was five and died in 2013.[9] In 2004, Ramya claimed that she was the granddaughter of politician and former Chief minister of Karnataka S. M. Krishna.[citation needed] Ramya studied at St. Hilda's School, a residential school, in Ooty, and at Sacred Heart School (Church Park), Chennai, Tamil Nadu.[citation needed]

Ramya was pursuing a career in modeling and hoped to join Mumbai-based Sheetal Designer Studio after completing her graduation with a bachelor's degree in commerce from St. Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore. She had taken part in ramp shows and was crowned Miss Country Club in 2001. Around this time, film offers came her way, and was considered for Ninagagi, Dumbee and Appu, before being cast opposite Puneeth Rajkumar in Abhi.[10] It was here that she was given the screen name Ramya by the film's producer Parvathamma Rajkumar.[11][12]

Film career

Ramya at the 37th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2006)

Ramya made her feature film debut with Puneeth Rajkumar's 2003 Kannada film Abhi.[13][14][15] She made her first appearance in the Tamil film industry with the stage name Ramya, with the 2004 film Kuththu. The film had a successful run at the box office, as did her next Tamil film, Giri. Her debut film, however, gave her the name 'Kuthu' Ramya, by which she was then popularly known in Tamil Nadu, she had major box-office success with three Kannada films – Aakash, Gowramma and Amrithadhare – garnering critical acclaim for her performances and establishing her as a leading actress.[16][17][18]

In 2006, she starred in Julie, a remake of the 1975 Hindi-language film, but it failed to attract audiences.[17] After her following release, Datta, her next Kannada release, Jothe Jotheyali, was a successful venture[19] in spite of unfavorable reviews by critics.[20][21] Her final 2006 release, Tananam Tananam, an average performer that released to mixed reviews,[22][23] gained Ramya her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She had described her role in the film as "little complex" and "challenging".[24] In 2007, Ramya starred in three feature films; the first of these, Arasu, was a huge hit.[25] She then appeared as a sex worker in a film made to create awareness about AIDS as part of Mira Nair's AIDS Jaago project.[26][27] Her last 2007 film was Polladhavan, released during Deepavali; it was considered a commercial success and her breakthrough in Tamil.[28] Rajinikanth was all praises for the entire crew of Polladhavan.[29]

Her first 2008 release, the Kannada film Mussanjemaatu, was a big hit, and gained her a nomination for a Best Actress Award at the 56th Filmfare Awards South. She followed this with the Tamil film Thoondil. Ramya later stated that she regretted accepting the film.[30] Later that year, she starred in the films Bombaat and Anthu Inthu Preethi Banthu, the former performing well at the box office.[31] Her final release in 2008 was Gautham Vasudev Menon's Vaaranam Aayiram, which also won that year's National Award for the best feature film in Tamil. She was credited as Divya in Vaaranam Aayiram.[32] She dubbed her own voice for this film, which became a critical and commercial success. She did not have any releases in 2009, since both her films, Bhimoos Bang Bang Kids and Jothegaara, were delayed due to financial problems.[citation needed]

Her first release of 2010, Just Math Mathalli, received rave reviews, with appreciation for her role.[citation needed] She had two more releases that year, the long-delayed Jothegaara and Kiccha Huccha. Her next release was the Tamil film Singam Puli, followed by the romantic drama Sanju Weds Geetha. This film opened to positive reviews, with Ramya being praised by critics for her performance, which was considered among the best in her career.[33][34]

Her first release in 2012 was a comedy drama, Sidlingu, in which she portrayed the role of a school teacher.[35] This was followed by a light-comedy movie, Lucky. She appeared in the semi-mythological movie Katari Veera Surasundarangi. In August 2013, Ramya announced that she was considering quitting acting to pursue a career in politics.[36]

Following her brief political career, Ramya made her acting comeback in 2016 with Nagarahavu, a film which placed deceased actor Vishnuvardhan in the lead role through visual effects. The film received negative reviews upon the release and failed to attract an audience.[37]

After nearly 7 years of sabbatical, Ramya returned to the film industry with her own production company, AppleBox Studios.[38] As the first assignment, she produced the film Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye (2023) which was directed by Raj B. Shetty. Her goal with this venture is to showcase powerful narratives centered around strong women.[39]

Political career

Ramya joined the Indian Youth Congress in 2012.[40][41] She became the Indian National Congress (INC) Member of Parliament from Mandya constituency in Karnataka by winning the by-election in 2013. In the 2014 Indian general election, she again contested from Mandya but was defeated by C. S. Puttaraju by a margin of 5,500 votes.[42] In March 2017, there was speculation that she might follow her political mentor S M Krishna and join BJP, but she continued with Congress.[43]

In May 2017 she was given the task of reviving INC's social media wing and was made national head of Congress's digital team at national level.[44][45] She took over the social media team from Deepender Singh Hooda. According to various newspapers and media houses, she is instrumental in turning around Rahul Gandhi's and INC's social media image.[citation needed]

In August 2017, Ramya created the online campaign #AintNoCinderella to support Varnika Kundu, a woman who was "chased and almost kidnapped"[46][non-primary source needed] one night in Chandigarh. Senior Haryana state BJP politician Ramveer Bhatti told press the attack was Kundu's fault for being out so late: "The girl should not have gone out at 12 in the night. Why was she driving so late in the night? The atmosphere is not right. We need to take care of ourselves."[47][48]

The campaign started when Ramya and friends began posting photos of themselves out late at night with the hashtag #AintNoCinderella. "Why shouldn't women go out after midnight?" Ramya told the BBC. "I'm asking people like Mr Bhatti who are they to set curfew hours for us? I want to ask him who is he to question us? This is such a regressive mindset."[47][49]

On 3 October 2018, there was a rumor that she was reportedly upset with Congress Party and there was a speculation that she had stepped down as its social media head.[50]

Filmography

As actor

Year Film Role Language Notes
2003 Abhi Bhanu Kannada
Excuse Me Madhumitha
Abhimanyu Saira Banu Telugu
2004 Kuththu Anjali Tamil
Ranga S. S. L. C. Padma Kannada
Kanti Reema
Giri Devaki Tamil
2005 Aadi Aishwarya Kannada
Aakash Nandini
Gowramma Gowri Chandan
Amrithadhare Amritha
2006 Sevanthi Sevanthi Sevanthi
Julie Julie
Dattha
Jothe Jotheyali Divya
Tananam Tananam Vanaja
2007 Arasu Shruthi
Prarambha Sex worker Short film[51]
Meera Madhava Raghava Meera
Polladhavan Hema Tamil Credited as Divya Ramya
2008 Thoondil Pooja/Divya
Mussanjemaatu Thanu Kannada
Meravanige Ramya Kannada Guest appearance
Bombaat Shalini
Anthu Inthu Preethi Banthu Preethi
Vaaranam Aayiram Priya Tamil
2010 Just Math Mathalli Nandini Appaiah "Tanu" Kannada
Jothegara Priya
Kiccha Huccha Aishwarya
2011 Singam Puli Swetha Tamil
Sanju Weds Geetha Geetha Kannada
Dandam Dashagunam Maya
Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam Priya
2012 Sidlingu Mangala
Lucky Gowri
Katari Veera Surasundarangi Indraja
Crazy Loka Herself Special appearance
2014 Aryan Shwetha
2016 Nagarahavu Manasa / Nagakanika
2023 Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare Divya Cameo appearance[52]

As producer

Year Film Language Notes
2023 Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye Kannada

Awards and nominations

Year Film Award Category Result Ref.
2003 Abhi 51st Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Nominated
2005 Amrithadhare Udaya Film Awards Best Actress Won
53rd Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Nominated [53]
2006 Tananam Tananam 54th Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Won [54][55]
South Indian Cinematographers Association Awards Best Actress Won [56]
Udaya Film Award Best Actress Nominated
2008 Mussanje Maatu 56th Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Nominated [57]
Suvarna Film Awards Best Actress Nominated
Udaya Film Awards Best Actress Won
Suvarna Film Awards Suvana Favorite Heroine Won
2010 Just Maath Maathalli 58th Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Nominated [58]
Suvarna Film Awards Best Actress Nominated
Udaya Film Awards Best Actress Nominated
Suvarna Film Awards Suvana Favorite Heroine Won
2011 Sanju Weds Geetha Udaya Film Awards Best Actress Won
59th Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Won [59]
2010–11 Karnataka State Film Awards Best Actress Won [60][61][62]
Suvarna Film Awards Best Actress Won [citation needed]
Suvarna Film Awards Suvana Favorite Heroine Won
1st SIIMA Awards SIIMA Best Actress Won [63][64]
2012 Sidlingu 60th Filmfare Awards South Best Actress Nominated [65]
Udaya Film Award Best Actress Nominated
Suvarna Film Awards Best Actress Nominated
2nd SIIMA Awards SIIMA Best Actress Nominated [66]

References

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  2. ^ S, Sridevi. "Sandalwood queen Ramya announces comeback with a bang; collaborates with Raj B Shetty". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Ramya gets the title rights for Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, rules city court". The Times of India. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  4. ^ Shyam Prasad, S. (23 July 2009). "No filmy husband for me". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  5. ^ "No filmy husband for me - Bangalore Mirror -". bangaloremirror.com.
  6. ^ "Yes, I'm seeing someone, says Ramya". Daily News and Analysis. 29 November 2010.
  7. ^ "Mother campaigns for daughter". 14 August 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Actor loses foster father". 3 August 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Why Kannada Actress Ramya Didn't Want to Live Anymore". News18. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  10. ^ Srivatsa, Srikanth (16 March 2003). "Stars in her eyes". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 22 December 2003. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
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  13. ^ "Ramya rules". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 May 2008. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011.
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  35. ^ "'Sidlingu' starts". IndiaGlitz. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  36. ^ "May quit acting if I win: Ramya". The New Indian Express. MANDYA. Express News Service. 17 August 2013. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
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  38. ^ "Kannada actress Divya Spandana to venture into film production with 'AppleBox Studios'". The Economic Times. 1 September 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  39. ^ Suresh, Sunayana. "Exclusive: I want to tell compelling stories, especially of women: Ramya". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
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  42. ^ "Constituencywise-All Candidates". Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  43. ^ "Ramya to join BJP?". 16 March 2017.
  44. ^ "For More Aggressive Online Brand, Rahul Gandhi Makes New Choice". 6 January 2018. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Meet Divya Spandana who plays crucial role in Rahul Gandhi's social media team - Catch News". 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017.
  46. ^ "Varnika Kundu". Retrieved 28 September 2018 – via Facebook.[non-primary source needed]
  47. ^ a b Pandey, Geeta (9 August 2017). "Why Indian women are no Cinderellas". BBC News. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  48. ^ Livsey, Anna (9 August 2017). "#AintNoCinderella: Indian women mock politician who blamed stalking victim". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  49. ^ Gallucci, Nicole. "#AintNoCinderella: Why women in India are sharing midnight selfies on social media". Mashable. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  50. ^ "Divya Spandana Reportedly Upset with Congress, Skips Work".
  51. ^ "AIDS Jaago's Tamil version launched". The Hindu. August 2010.
  52. ^ "Actress Ramya To Star As A Professor In The Film Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare". News18. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  53. ^ "53rd Annual South Filmfare Awards Winners". CineGoer.com. 9 September 2006. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2007.
  54. ^ "54th Filmfare Awards South Winners". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  55. ^ "Movies : Movie Tidbits : Filmfare Awards presented". 3 March 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  56. ^ "Ramya has won!". The Times of India.
  57. ^ "56th Filmfare Awards South". ReachoutHyderabad.com. 10 October 2011. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  58. ^ "The 58th Filmfare Award (South) winners". CNN-News18. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  59. ^ Filmfare Editorial (9 July 2012). "59th Idea Filmfare Awards South (Winners list)". Filmfare. Times Internet Limited. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  60. ^ "Kannada State Film Awards list 2010-11". The Times of India. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  61. ^ "'Maagiya Kala' is best film; Ramya, Puneeth best actors". The Hindu. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  62. ^ "State film awards announced, Puneeth, Ramya bag top honours". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  63. ^ "SIIMA Awards 2012: Winners List". The Times of India. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  64. ^ "SIIMA Awards 2012 Winners". South Indian International Movie Awards. Archived from the original on 6 July 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  65. ^ Filmfare awards list of winners Archived 10 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  66. ^ "Stars in Sharjah for 2nd SIIMA". The Hindu. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
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