Ellarigu Namaskara: Yash puts Kannada on global stage at Ramayana premiere

Rocking Star Yash made sure Kannada found its place on the global stage as he opened his speech with “Ellarigu Namaskara” (Greetings to all) at the grand Los Angeles premiere of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend. Addressing the audience in his native language, the actor spoke with pride about his roots and the journey that brought him to one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious projects.“Where you start can never define how far you can go,” Yash said, capturing the spirit of his journey from the Kannada film industry to an international platform.Yash attended the premiere alongside director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra and co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. He arrived on the red carpet with his wife, Radhika Pandit, as fans greeted him with loud cheers and chants of his name.The global premiere marked a significant moment for the team behind the mythological epic, which is bringing one of India's most enduring stories to a global audience.Yash on representing Kannada cinema at Ramayana premiereTaking the stage to enthusiastic applause, Yash began by greeting the audience in Kannada: “Ellarigu Namaskara.” He then spoke about the pride of being part of the Kannada film industry while helping bring the epic to audiences around the world. “Where you start can never define how far you can go,” he said. Reflecting on his roots, he added, “Today, I’m proud being a member of the Kannada film industry, the Indian film industry, telling our story, which is not just a story.”His words carried a sense of pride as he spoke about the cultural legacy of Ramayana and its place in India's collective memory. “In our country, we just don’t tell the story—we remember it, and we pass it down for generations to come. And this story has travelled for thousands of years,” Yash said.The actor also expressed his pride in presenting the epic to an international audience, emphasising the cultural heritage India brings to the world through its storytelling.“We are proud to present this story to the world, and hope it will give a message to the world which India as a culture, India as a heritage, what it offers to the global audience or the world,” he said.Yash concluded his address with an invitation to celebrate the epic together: “Let’s celebrate Ramayana. Thank you.”Before Yash took the stage, producer Namit Malhotra acknowledged the actor's contribution to the project, revealing that their partnership extends beyond the film's on-screen cast. Yash is also a producing partner through Monster Mind Creations.“Yash is not just the superstar of the film, but he’s also my producing partner. And from the very first day we met in LA, I think it was his conviction and my vision that really brought everything together. So, thank you, Yash,” Namit said. About Ramayana: Rise of a LegendDirected by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, with paid premieres on November 4.- Ends