Exclusive: Vijaya Prasad sir blends comedy and pain magically: Suman Ranganath

Suman Ranganath has the onerous task of bringing together comedy and pain in Totapuri, her fourth collaboration with director Vijaya Prasad .

“Vijaya Prasad sir has no fear when it comes to writing bold characters. Despite having so much pain inside them, they try to mask it through comedy. I find this very intense and interesting.

It is not easy to blend comedy and pain, but sir does it magically and unapologetically.”

Suman, who has received rave reviews for her roles in previous projects with the director – Sidlingu, Neer Dose and Petromax – says: “Vijaya Prasad sir has a unique vision; he can gauge if an actor can do justice to the unique roles he writes. Though there is so much comedy, his films always end with a fantastic message. I am so glad to be part of his films. I love the way he challenges me by putting me in the shoes of these different characters.”

Speaking about her role, Sister Victoria , Suman says, “My name is always attached to glam roles, but here I play a nun, and I have three different looks. I work in an NGO and I cross paths with the other characters. There is also a man who shows interest in me, but I am dedicated to service. The man, wonderfully played by Dhananjaya , wants to pursue me and goes to great lengths to be with me and is hell bent on impressing me. So, it’s the journey of these characters.”

“The film has a second part, which may come out in December, but I am not sure how my role is divided between the two parts.” she adds.

“The film has characters from three different religions and the director has tried to show how we can co-exist. Nothing controversial, just people naturally co-existing in each other’s lives while going about their own journey,” she adds.

Did Suman have to deliver Vijaya Prasad’s signature double-entendre jokes? “Well, actually no. I play an innocent girl. Even if people around her are making one, she doesn’t react because she doesn’t get the joke, she is that innocent. Her words are taken and twisted, but she doesn’t catch on,” Suman says.

Suman’s next, Parimala Lodge , is also directed by Vijay Prasad .