10 years of 'Mr and Mrs Ramachari'

Actor Yash’s rise to superstardom isn’t an overnight achievement but a steady and measured one, aided by his assured stride and an eye for the right opportunity.

It was aided by his assured stride and an eye for the right project. One such landmark success of his career is the Santhosh Ananddram action drama Mr and Mrs Ramachari. The film recently celebrated 10 years of its theatrical release. 

Released on Christmas Day in 2014, Mr and Mrs Ramachari charted a striking course at the box office. It emerged as the biggest Kannada hit of the year grossing over Rs 50 crore and completing an impressive 200-day in theatres. It even warranted dubbed versions and remakes in other Indian languages. More importantly, it established Yash as the bona fide Rocking Star of the Kannada film industry.

“I don’t think we had scored a hit that considerable till then, and I don’t suppose we’ll be able to repeat that feat,” says Jayanna of the ace producer duo Jayanna and Bhogendra. For the two, the film not only yielded a seminal commercial result but also became the biggest triumph in their enduring alliance with Yash.

The journey started with the 2012 film Jaanu and it was followed by Drama (2012), Googly (2013) and Gajakesari (2014). Each of these efforts outdid the previous one in terms of box office and a fifth consecutive success — a film that qualifies as an ‘industry hit’ — cemented their collaboration as truly special.

“We made six films together (if you include Raja Huli (2013), which we distributed) in a matter of two to two-and-a-half years, which means we really clicked professionally. As producers, we were there to support Yash as an actor and a creator. In return, he stood like a rock with us through our thick and thin, giving his all to every film,” adds Jayanna, affirming the 38-year-old actor’s reputation of being a hands-on partner in every project he takes up.

“He truly believes cinema is his life and can go to great lengths to do justice to a film. While there’s a small role that we might have played in his stellar growth over the years, it is his effort to achieve great things that makes all the difference. I have seen him dedicate all his time and energy to a film. In Mr and Mrs Ramachari, he ensured that every frame, every scene was pulled off to the best standards. He was even involved in the scenes that he wasn’t a part of  — the Sadhu Kokila intro scene is one such example. He would assert that there would be more whistles and hoots for the comedian than for his own entry”. 

In the film, Yash plays a college student named Ramachari, who models himself on Vishnuvardhan’s iconic character from Puttanna Kanagal’s ‘Naagarahaavu’ (1972). Ramachari is hot-headed and wayward but also sincere, and the film follows the highs and lows of his relationship with Divya, played by Radhika Pandit. 

Some of the portions, particularly the misogynistic dialogues, haven’t aged well among the audiences. Jayanna believes the film worked well back in the day because it had the right blend of emotion, action, humour, romance and, of course, the charm of the lead pair. In fact, it was Yash, he says, who convinced the producers to get on board based on his faith in debutant Ananddram.

“We have had a wonderful trusting relationship with him. Sometimes, he would sign a film because we had the conviction, and at other times, he would inspire us to back it.”

In retrospect, Mr and Mrs Ramachari stands tall as a film that elevated Yash as the most bankable star around. Since its release, he has acted in only four films including the two K.G.F films, whose mammoth success could again be attributed to his commitment (aside from the vision imbued by their makers).

But does Jayanna spot any change in the actor given his global recognition today? “He is absolutely the same kid who burst onto the scene many years ago. He has the same set of close friends and family members that he always did, and is always one phone call away from me as well,” he says with pride.