We will not work with actress Ramya, say dancers

Bangalore, Sep 19 (IANS) Angry technicians and dancers of the Karnataka film industry have said they will not work with actress Ramya as she reportedly used abusive language while speaking to them during shoots of recent movies.

In a special emergency meeting of the Karnataka Dancers Association Saturday, the dancers decided not to participate in any dance and song sequences featuring Ramya.

The executive committee of the association passed a resolution saying "no self-respecting technician of the film industry can tolerate humiliation from the actress who has been using foul language even against veteran dance choreographers and dancers".

Ramya could not be contacted for her reaction.

The association conveyed this decision to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Kannada film producer association.

"We can only follow the instructions of the film director who wants his conception to be translated on screen. Ramya has been insisting that dancers cannot dance around her and she would not like to be touched by any dancer. She uses unparliamentary words if her instructions to the dancers are not followed," dance choreographer Harsha said.

The association has sought support from Tamil and Telugu film dancers associations. They have produced evidence in the form of statements from dance choreographers Harsha and Ramu who have been humiliated by Ramya.

Ramya is presently acting in two Tamil films "Kaadhal to Kalyanam" directed by Milind Rao and "Singam Puli" with Jeeva in the lead role.

Dancers have been angry ever since Ramya walked out of a song shoot of her film "Just Maath Maathnalli" directed by actor Sudeep and produced by Shankare Gowda. Sudeep plays the lead role in the film opposite Ramya.

Ramya has reportedly also been using foul language for film producers.

The actress, who is also known as Divya Spandana in the Tamil film industry, has acted in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. Recently there have been many instances where Ramya has shown her non cooperative attitude during the shoot of Kannada films.

"She is criticising all the Kannada technicians calling them dullards. She made a mark as an actress through Kannada films and it is unfortunate that she is now humiliating the same set of technicians who have brought her to limelight," well-known dance director Rajesh said.

Shankare Gowda, producer of "Just Maath Maathnalli" said Ramya's attitude has harmed the film.

"We have to suffer lot of losses on account of her attitude and I am complaining against her to the Kannada film producers association and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce," Gowda said.

Actor Sudeep, who is also directing this film, said he does not want to react to the incident as the Kannada Film Dancers Association has now described the entire sequence of events to the media which says it all.

"I am here to do a job and I shall do it with dignity irrespective on how one may or may not respect the director," says Sudeep.