Which Rajkumar is behind Deepa's career?

Becoming an actress was never part of the plan for Deepa Gowda. Although her sister, Rani Gowda, tried her hand at acting, Deepa was discouraged by her family to enter the industry. But now, she is all set to debut in her first solo project — Just Maduveli — ahead of which she reveals that Raghavendra Rajkumar is responsible for the turn of events. Excerpts…
How did you enter the film industry?
I studied hotel management and was working in a hotel.I then took up a job in a software company, but never thought about a career in films. My sister was in the industry, but she and my parents didn’t want me to enter films. Like all families, they wanted me to continue with my job, get married and settle down. But one day, Raghavendra Rajkumar spotted me at a hotel I was working at and told me that I should try acting, since I am tall and look good. My friends also encouraged me to try my luck in the Kannada film industry. I got a portfolio shot and quit my job once I got the offer to star in Ka.
What made you choose Just Maduveli to debut as a solo lead?
The crew is very good and has experienced people. I took part in a workshop and the makers ensured that we knew our dialogues before the actual shoot for the film began. Plus, my character is also interesting. It is a family entertainer that is set in a village. I play a typical village girl from a Gowda family. Marriage is a prominent theme in the movie, and although the subject is not completely new, there is a twist in the climax that is very interesting. That drew me to the movie.
How did you bag this movie?
My sister was supposed to play the lead role in a movie with the same team about five years ago, but that project didn’t take off. The man who referred my sister back then told me about Just Maduveli. By then, my sister was married and had quit films. I auditioned for the role and the makers thought that I looked a lot like my sister. So that sealed the deal.
What are the other projects that you are working on?
I am currently in Salem, working on my first Tamil film. Apart from this, I have shot for two Kannada movies — Jwalantamand Last Bus— both of which should be ready to hit theatres soon.