Actor Karthi has praised his Sardar 2 co-star Ashika Ranganath, saying the Kannada actor has more to offer than the glamorous image audiences may associate with her.
Speaking at a recent promotional event for the upcoming Tamil film, Karthi highlighted Ashika’s acting and dancing abilities and said director PS Mithran has consciously presented her in a very different manner in Sardar 2.
According to Karthi, Ashika plays a largely non-verbal character in the sequel and maintains the same look throughout much of the film. He compared the approach to Andrea Jeremiah’s character in Aayirathil Oruvan, where the actor was also seen largely in a single costume.
Karthi Says Ashika Has More Than a Glamorous Image
Karthi revealed that his initial impression of Ashika came from seeing her Instagram profile, where she often presents a glamorous persona.
However, he said his perception changed after watching one of her Telugu films.
“Ashika is a very good dancer. If you look at her Instagram profile, she appears very glamorous. But after watching one of her Telugu films, I understood that she is not limited to glamour and is a good actor,” Karthi said.
His comments suggest that Sardar 2 is intended to showcase another side of the actor, particularly through a character that does not rely heavily on dialogue or conventional commercial presentation.
PS Mithran Gives Ashika a Different Kind of Role
Karthi also credited director PS Mithran for choosing to present Ashika as a performer rather than limiting her to roles built primarily around glamour.
The actor suggested that the filmmaker has deliberately moved away from the image audiences may already associate with Ashika and instead given her a more performance-driven part.
The decision appears particularly notable because Ashika’s Sardar 2 character reportedly does not depend on extensive dialogue. Her performance is instead expected to communicate through expressions, body language and the way the character is positioned within the story.
Karthi’s comparison with Andrea Jeremiah’s role in Aayirathil Oruvan further indicates that the film’s visual treatment of Ashika is intentional rather than simply a styling choice.
Ashika Ranganath Makes Her Major Tamil Film Debut With ‘Sardar 2’
Ashika Ranganath has already worked across the Kannada and Telugu film industries, building recognition through her performances and screen presence.
Sardar 2 marks an important step in her Tamil cinema journey, bringing her into a prominent role opposite Karthi.
The film is directed by PS Mithran and serves as a sequel to the 2022 action thriller Sardar, which starred Karthi in the lead role.
With Ashika taking on a character that appears to be considerably different from the glamorous roles audiences might expect, the sequel could offer her an opportunity to demonstrate another dimension of her acting abilities.
What to Expect From ‘Sardar 2’
Sardar 2 reunites Karthi with PS Mithran following the success of the first film. The sequel has generated attention not only because of the return of the franchise but also because of its ensemble cast and Ashika’s prominent role.
Karthi’s comments have now added another layer of curiosity around the film, particularly regarding Ashika’s character and the decision to keep her presentation relatively restrained.
The film is scheduled for worldwide release on September 10.
For Ashika, the release could become an important milestone as she expands her presence beyond Kannada and Telugu cinema and makes a major appearance in Tamil.
