Su from So’s Bhanu Sandhya Arekere was worried how audiences would react to her character

Ever since the new Kannada film Su From So released in theatres, as much as director-actor JP Thuminad’s film is being praised for its comedy, thanks to actors like Shaneel Gautham, Mime Ramadas, Deepak Rai Panaje, Prakash Thuminad and Raj B Shetty (who has also produced the film), there’s an equal if not greater emphasis on the sensitive subject it explores through the character played by Sandhya Arekere. Bhanu is a major pillar of Su From So, and Sandhya admits that she was nervous about the expanse of the character in the larger scheme of things.

Sandhya Arekere on Su From So's Bhanu: Didn't realize the enormity of the role until we started shooting

Speaking to FDFS Kannada, the actress said that as a supporting artiste, she was often one among a crowd, so, when she was given a role as important as Bhanu, she was scared. “I had no expectation of what to expect from audiences; rather, I was worried how they’d react to me in such a role. I’ve been doing smaller supporting roles, so when Raj sir told me about the character, I did not realize its immensity and scope. I just said okay when he told me he had a role for me in a film,” she says.

Also read: Su from So movie review: JP Thuminad’s delightful comedy has its heart and soul in the right place 

Later, when Sandhya was given a narration, it still did not strike her that Bhanu would have such space in the narrative. “It was only when we began shooting that the enormity of the situation dawned on me and I began to get scared about audience reaction. It was only when Raj sir told me that the character and her chemistry with Ravi Anna (Shaneel) was being highly appreciated that I was at peace,” she adds.

Sandhya says that Raj had called her in June of 2024 and asked her to keep herself free sometime in September. Considering that she had to audition for her roles in Toby and Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, even though the latter required her to say only two lines, she was thrilled that Raj’s banner was offering her yet another character. It was only during Dasara last year that she finally met the rest of the team, including JP, whom she’d known of owing to his work in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side B and Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye.

“We did a look test and then JP narrated the parts of the story that revolved around my character and I can guarantee that anyone listening in would have had a lump in their throats. JP’s clarity in how he wanted Bhanu was astonishing,” Sandhya says.

FAQs

Q: Who directed Su From So?

A: Tulu theatre artiste and actor JP Thuminad, who has acted in Kannada films like Ondu Motteya Kathe, Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana, Toby, Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side B and Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, has written and directed the horror comedy Su From So. JP has been a long-time member of Raj B Shetty’s team of collaborators.

Q: Which OTT platform is Su From So on?

A: Su from So released in its Kannada original version in theatres on July 25, 2025. It is currently not on OTT, but is expected to drop on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run.

Q: Who is on the cast of Su From So?
A: JP Thuminad, Shaneel Gautham, Sandhya Arekere, Mime Ramadas, Deepak Rai Panaje and Prakash Thuminad lead the cast of Su from So, while Raj B Shetty also has a pivotal role.