Ramya Krishnan, widely known for her powerful portrayal of Shivagami Devi in the blockbuster Bahubali series, has had an illustrious career spanning over four decades. While her role in the Bahubali franchise catapulted her to international fame, Ramya was a well-established actress long before these films. Having worked in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, she has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Yet, despite working with Bollywood superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan, Ramya eventually distanced herself from Hindi films. But what led her to make this decision?
Early Days in Cinema: Ramya’s Entry into Films
Ramya Krishnan made her debut in 1983 with the Tamil film Vellai Manasu. Soon after, she entered the Telugu film industry with Kanchu Kagada in 1984. Over the next few years, she became a popular face across South Indian cinema, working in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films. In 1988, Ramya ventured into Hindi cinema with the film Dayavan, alongside Bollywood stalwarts like Feroz Khan, Rajesh Khanna, and Amrish Puri. Despite having a prominent role, her entry into Bollywood did not translate into long-lasting success.
Bollywood Stint: Working with Amitabh and Shahrukh
Although her Bollywood career wasn’t as impactful as her work in the South, Ramya did get to work with some of the biggest names in the industry. She acted in films like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda, and Chahat (1996) with Shahrukh Khan. Additionally, she appeared in other Hindi films such as Khalnayak (1993) and Banarasi Babu (1997). Despite these opportunities, none of her Bollywood films performed well at the box office, which ultimately influenced her decision to step away from Hindi cinema.
Why Ramya Krishnan Left Bollywood
In a 2022 interview, Ramya explained her reasons for leaving Bollywood. She stated that although she had a flourishing career in Telugu cinema, she couldn’t find the same level of success in Hindi films. Her Telugu films were doing well, and she felt it would be difficult to balance both industries, especially when Bollywood wasn’t yielding the same results. According to Ramya, succeeding in any industry requires consistent hits, and she was already achieving that in the South. Thus, she chose to focus on the Telugu industry, where she felt more comfortable and had established herself as a star.
Becoming a Household Name with ‘Bahubali’
Despite her earlier Bollywood experience, it was the role of Shivagami Devi in S.S. Rajamouli’s Bahubali that brought her immense fame across India. Released in 2015, Bahubali: The Beginning earned over ₹650 crores worldwide, with Ramya’s portrayal of the powerful queen mother being praised universally. In 2017, the sequel Bahubali 2: The Conclusion shattered records, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, with earnings of over ₹1,788 crores globally. Ramya’s performance in both films became iconic, cementing her place in the hearts of audiences as Shivagami Devi.
A Star of Over 260 Films and 41 Years in Cinema
Ramya Krishnan has worked in more than 260 films throughout her 41-year career, which is a testament to her talent and versatility. From playing glamorous roles in commercial films to portraying intense characters like Shivagami, Ramya has successfully showcased her range as an actress. Despite moving away from Bollywood, she continues to be a force to reckon with in Indian cinema.
As she celebrates her 54th birthday, Ramya Krishnan remains a celebrated and respected figure in the film industry, known not just for her work in Bahubali, but for her contribution to Indian cinema at large.
