Ananya Ramu rechristened Radhana Ram for Darshan’s D56

Fans of Kannada cinema’s Challenging Star Darshan have been on cloud nine since yesterday because they were promised not one but two updates about their favourite star on the auspicious occasion of Varamahalakshmi festivities. First would be the new poster from his next Kranti, and then the heroine announcement of his film with Tharun Sudhir that is being called D56 as of now.

Names like Raashii Khanna, Ashika Ranganath, Mahima Makwana, Pooja Hegde and Sreeleela were doing the rounds among fans, but then, by late evening, there were rumours that veteran actor Malashree’s daughter Ananya Ramu was being launched alongside the Challenging Star in Tharun’s film. The moment of truth is finally here. Is it really Ananya, who will now go by the screen name Radhana? Yes, turns out, all the rumours were true. A little while ago, the team announced that it was introducing the daughter of Kanasina Rani Malashree Ananya Ramu, who has been rechristened Radhana Ram for the screen.

D56, meanwhile, officially goes on floors today, with an auspicious Varamahalakshmi festival muhurtha. The film is being backed by Rockline Venkatesh. This is Tharun’s third collaboration with Darshan, after Chowkaa and Roberrt.

Although there were rumours that D56 would have a heroine from another industry, Tharun is known to favour local talent. Even Roberrt’s Asha Bhat is a Kannadiga and speaks the language fluently, although she is based out of Mumbai. Ananya/Radhana’s casting, though, was not appreciated by fans as of late last evening. The 20-year-old would be mismatch for the Challenging Star, they felt and hoped that Tharun would cast her in the sister’s role instead of a romantic pairing. The disappointment in the official announcement has already begun, with fans responding to it with questions about why they’ve chosen a newcomer opposite their favourite star.