Raanna: The story and my character in Elumale are very relatable for audiences

It’s been well over three years since Raanna made his debut with Ek Love Ya , a time in which he came across several scripts that were offered to him, but didn’t take up because he knew they’d get him nothing but brickbats. “These scripts were not very intriguing and I didn’t want to do them. There was a film that I was all set to start but then it got stalled because of producer issues and then the hunt for the right script began again,” he’d told OTTplay earlier, adding that he’d heard so many scripts and still it was difficult to find something that convinced him completely.

The one that got Raanna hook line and sinker was Elumale, an intense love story by Punit Rangaswamy, produced by Roberrt and Kaatera maker Tarun Sudhir. “I was looking for a story that would connect with audiences. When they see me onscreen, they should think of me as someone they’ve seen in their neighbourhood. As a relative newbie, this is the time that I have to build a rapport with audiences. This is not the time to do larger-than-life characters; that is something that I can, perhaps, attempt in another 3-4 years, not now,” says Raanna.

Inspired by true events, Elumale has been set in 2004 against the Male Mahadeshwara Betta backdrop, and explores a love story between a boy from Chamarajnagar and a girl from Salem. The film, which went on floors in early January, was wrapped up in July and the team is bringing it to theatres on September 5, 2025.

Also read: Ek Love Ya actor Raanna on the 3 years it took for his next film: I felt audiences won’t want to see me in a commercial entertainer 

Elumale is not a film with commercial cinema tropes

Elumale, says Raanna, is a tale that takes place over one night. “This is a story that will strike a chord with audiences. It’s a thriller and love story set in 2004, a time in which hardly anyone had mobile phones or social media. The story takes place in one night and Punit and Tarun were clear from the word go that this was not a film in which they wanted any commercial cinema tropes of hero elevation or the likes. They wanted it to be as realistic as possible,” said the actor, in conversation with Asianet Suvarna.

Raanna is paired with Priyanka, who caught Tarun’s eye on the reality show Mahanati. Music is by D Imman, while Advaitha Gurumurthy, whose work in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello got a lot of attention, served as cinematographer. The film is being dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as well, but the team is yet to confirm if these versions will get a simultaneous release, given that there are major films in these languages, Madharaasi, Ghaati, on September 5.

FAQ

Q. Is Raanna related to actress Rakshitha?

A. Yes. Raana and Rakshitha are related. They are half-siblings and share the same mother. 

Q. What was Raanna's debut movie?

A. Raanna was introduced in cinema by Rakshitha's husband, filmmaker Prem, with Ek Love Ya, which also launchd Reeshma Nanaiah.