Ragini Dwivedi: The Rising Star of Sandalwood
Ragini Dwivedi is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Kannada cinema. Since making her acting debut in 2009 with the action film Veera Madakari, Ragini has emerged as one of the biggest female stars in the Kannada film industry.
Early Life and Modeling Career
Ragini was born on 24 May 1990 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. Her father was a Colonel in the Indian Army while her mother was a housewife. Ragini’s modeling career began when she was recognized by fashion designer Prasad Bidapa in 2008. She started walking the ramp for major fashion weeks and designers like Lakme Fashion Week, Rohit Bal, Manish Malhotra and more.
In 2008, Ragini participated in the Femina Miss India contest where she was the first runner-up. This earned her a direct entry into the 2009 Pantaloons Femina Miss India pageant where she won the ‘Richfeel Miss Beautiful Hair’ title.
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Breakthrough in Kannada Cinema
Ragini made her acting debut in 2009 with the Kannada action film Veera Madakari alongside Sudeep. The film was a remake of the Telugu hit Vikramarkudu and went on to become a huge commercial success. Ragini won the Suvarna Film Award for Best Debut Actress for her performance.
In 2011, Ragini delivered a career-defining performance in the action flick Kempe Gowda opposite Sudeep. Her portrayal of the character Kavya earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress. The song “Thuppa Beku Thuppa” picturized on Ragini became a chartbuster.
Rise to Stardom (2012-present)
Post the success of Kempe Gowda, Ragini cemented her position as a top actress in Kannada cinema. In 2012, she starred opposite Shivarajkumar in Shiva and Upendra in Aarakshaka. For her performances, Ragini won the Best Actress awards from numerous critics associations.
In 2014, Ragini played the title role in the female-centric film Ragini IPS. Her portrayal of a daring police officer marked a shift from the glamorous roles she was known for till then. Though the film received mixed reviews, Ragini earned praise for her performance.
Over the years, Ragini has starred opposite nearly all the A-list actors of Kannada cinema like Upendra, Sudeep, Shivarajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar, Darshan, and Yash. Some of her noteworthy films include Kempe Gowda, Bangari, Ragini IPS, Namaste Madam, and Shivam among others.
Off-screen Work and Controversies
Off-screen, Ragini endorses several brands like Nandini Milk. She is involved in philanthropic work and is the brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat campaign in Hubli-Dharwad.
However, in 2020, Ragini was arrested by the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru Police in connection with a drug case. She was charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. After spending 140 days in jail, Ragini was granted bail.
The Future Ahead
Despite her legal troubles, Ragini Dwivedi remains a top draw in Kannada cinema. She has bounced back with several new film announcements post her bail.
With her acting chops, glamorous screen appeal and star power, Ragini is poised for greater success in the coming years. If she continues to choose diverse scripts, Ragini has the potential to emerge as a pan-India star beyond the Kannada film industry.
Also Read: Kadambari Jethwani: Beauty Queen Turned Actress and Doctor
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