Actress Rakshitha, who is making waves in the Kannada film industry, is planning to marry director Prem by the end of the year.

"I believe in destiny and god's will. I think I am destined to marry early and I am happy to get the right person," Rakshitha told IANS.

"I have to finish my working schedules for the films I have signed and Prem should finish his work for 'Preethi Eke Bhoomi Melidhe' (PEBM), which is also launching him as a hero. We may marry after the release of PEBM," said Rakshitha, adding she was bowled over by Prem's honesty and simplicity.

"Prem comes from a rural background. He is simple and straightforward. My life has been revolving around artificiality, but here is a person who is gentle and has his foot firmly rooted in the ground. It was instant liking and we shared a good rapport from the beginning."

Excerpts:

Q: There are rumours about your marriage. I am told that you are already engaged to Prem. Is it true?

A: I would like to confirm that I am getting married to director Prem. I hadn't at any point of time denied my marriage plans. I am marrying Prem with whom I have been in love for quite some time.

This may well happen by yearend or in the beginning of next year. I have to finish my working schedules for the films I have signed and Prem should finish his work for "Preethi Eke Bhoomi Melidhe" (PEBM), which is also launching him as a hero. We may marry after the release of PEBM.

Q: You are still in demand, then why are you rushing into marriage?

A: Many people told me that it was too early for me to marry, especially when my hands are full of assignments. But somehow I felt it is the right time. I wanted to marry at a time when I am in demand. Otherwise people would always say that I married because I had no offers in hand.

Besides, I believe in destiny and god's will. I think I was destined to marry early and I am happy to get the right person.

Q: What attracted you to Prem?

A: Every person is asking the same question. I know that we come from different backgrounds. I am moving in ultra-rich circles and party circuits. Prem comes from a rural background. He is simple and straightforward. My life has been revolving around artificiality, but here is a person who is gentle and has his foot firmly rooted in the ground.

It was instant liking and we shared a good rapport from the beginning. I don't know when we decided to marry, but it was a decision that both of us made at the same time.

Q: Coming back to your films, you have an author-backed role in Kavitha Lankesh's "Tananam Tananam". How was it working with your archrival Ramya in the film?

A: Please don't say Ramya is my rival. We have become great friends now. I have had enough of fights and misunderstandings with Ramya. We have made up after a frank talk. I started the process of contacting Ramya and told her that enough is enough. Did you not see our harmony and chemistry in the press conferences of "Tananam Tananam"?

I had a great time working in "Tananam Tananam" with veterans like Bharathi and Girish Karnad acting in it. Kavitha is a fantastic director. She gave me a bound script before we started shooting for the film. I like every aspect of the film and even had some training in traditional dance for this film. I had one scene with Ramya in the film and it was very good.

Q: You have now fulfilled your long cherished dream of working with Ravichandran. How was it working with him in "Odahuttidavalu" and "Neenello Naanalle"?

A: Working with Ravi sir has been my childhood dream. I told him so many times. I am paired with him in "Odahuttidavalu". Radhika is also doing a role in the film. I don't have anything substantial as for as role is concerned but I am more than happy to have acted with him.

He has acted in a song sequence in "Neenello Naanalle". I am not part of the song, though I am the heroine of the film.

Q: What about "Hubballi"? You are working again with your favourite director Om Prakash Rao.

A: "Hubballi" will be a typical 'masala' film, for which Om Prakash Rao sir has made a name. This will be a good package with fights, fun and well-mounted song sequences.

It will also be my third film with Sudeep. My two films with Deepu (Sudeep) did not have a long run, though "Dhum" complete 100 days. I hope this film has a long run. I have an important role with a large scope for performance.

Q: With films like "Kalasipalya" and "Ayya" you acquired the image of a sex siren. But now you are concentrating on performance-oriented roles.

A: Somehow I felt enough was enough and decided to take up different type of roles. I think there should be some glamour quotient in the film but it should not be overdone.

Q: What are your future projects?

A: I will be working with Vijaya Raghavendra in a new film, which will go on floors in August.