Former creator of MTV Roadies, Raghu Ram, has ventured into the South Indian film industry, playing the antagonist in Ajith's much-anticipated film "Good Bad Ugly."
Despite his extensive experience in the entertainment sector, Raghu Ram recently shared a cultural lesson he learned on set, highlighting the unique star culture in the southern film industry.
In an engaging conversation with *India Today*, Raghu Ram recounted the moment he realized the magnitude of the opportunity he had been given.
He candidly spoke about an incident where he unknowingly breached the cultural norms by addressing Ajith simply by his first name during their interactions.
Hailing from Delhi and having worked extensively in Mumbai, Raghu Ram was accustomed to a different professional decorum.
"When I met Ajith on set, he introduced himself to me, and being of similar age, I naturally called him by his name. This, however, was met with silence and visible shock from the crew," he recalled.
The surprise stemmed from the respectful ethos prevalent in the southern film industry, where addressing senior actors with reverence is customary.
Raghu Ram admitted, "The crew later explained that it was considered disrespectful. Even the director and assistant director, while shooting in Spain, advised me on the matter. I chose to call Ajith 'Sir' to ease the discomfort, even though Ajith himself seemed unfazed by it."
Despite the initial cultural faux pas, Raghu Ram expressed his admiration for Ajith's unwavering dedication to his craft. "Ajith's commitment is unparalleled.
He doesn’t need further validation or success, yet he continues to challenge himself. His approach resonates with self-determination, setting his own parameters in life, without being swayed by external opinions," Raghu remarked, praising Ajith as an inspiring figure driven by an inner passion.
As anticipation mounts for "Good Bad Ugly", director Adhik Ravichandran has already fueled excitement by releasing Ajith Kumar’s first look from the film.
The director shared this milestone with enthusiasm, reflecting on his personal journey from an ardent fan to directing one of Tamil cinema's most versatile actors. With a heartfelt note accompanying the first-look poster, Adhik echoed the sentiment of countless fans and colleagues who hold Ajith in high esteem.
"Good Bad Ugly" promises to be a landmark project, and with Raghu Ram onboard, the film is set to explore new dimensions, blending talent from diverse entertainment realms. As Raghu Ram dives deeper into the world of Southern cinema, his journey alongside Ajith is one to watch, offering both cultural insights and cinematic brilliance.