Raghu Ram recalls addressing Ajith Kumar by his name on the set: 'The entire crew was shocked and there was silence'

Actor Raghu Ram plays a villain in Ajith Kumar's Good Bad Ugly. In an interview, he shared insights about his role, the surprise on set when he addressed Ajith by name, and his upcoming projects.
Talking to India Today, Raghu spoke about bagging Good Bad Ugly. He described his role in the film as a stark contrast to his intense, silent character in Doctor. While his Doctor role had an eerie presence, his new character, though a criminal, carries an unexpected innocence. Director Adhik Ravichandran wanted an international criminal—intimidating yet surprising—which he felt suited Raghu. Despite being from Andhra Pradesh, Raghu grew up in Delhi with diverse cultural influences, including Hindi, Punjabi, and Tamil. Now, with a Canadian wife, his background has become even more global.

Raghu sees working with Ajith Kumar as a significant opportunity, though he admits he didn’t fully grasp its magnitude, having not grown up idolizing South Indian stars. He plans to visit Chennai with his wife, who sang Aila Aila in Shankar’s Ai, so she can witness the excitement of an Ajith film release firsthand.
See more: Makers of AjithKumar's 'Good Bad Ugly' drop promo for film's first single 'OG Sambavam'!

Recalling a moment from the set, Raghu Ram shared how his habit of addressing people by name led to an awkward situation. Coming from Delhi and having worked in Mumbai, he was used to calling colleagues by their names. When Ajith Kumar introduced himself, Raghu naturally did the same, unaware of the reverence surrounding the star. The crew was stunned into silence, later informing him that it was considered disrespectful. Even the director and assistant director reprimanded him during their Spain shoot. Eventually, Raghu decided to call Ajith “Sir,” not because of Ajith himself, but to respect the sentiments of those around him.
Raghu further reflected on his experience working across Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Punjabi films, noting key differences between industries. He observed that Mumbai's film industry operates in a more corporate and structured manner, whereas the South remains heavily star-driven. He also pointed out that Mumbai's sets often have women leading departments, a contrast to the South, where female leadership is less common despite their strong administrative and leadership skills.
Discussing directors, he highlighted how each filmmaker has a unique working style. Adhik Ravichandran constantly improvises, sometimes making it challenging for Raghu due to language barriers. In contrast, Nelson, who directed Doctor, and Tharun Bhascker, known for Keeda Cola, have distinct methods. He also noted that while Mumbai's industry values punctuality, South Indian film sets are known for their extended working hours.
See more: Ajith Kumar’s 'Good Bad Ugly' first single 'OG Sambavam' fascinates fans with its electrifying beats
Over the years, Raghu made his name with the reality show MTV Roadies, which is now in its 20th season, he has long been a prominent figure in Indian entertainment. Beyond his reality TV success, he has showcased his versatility as an actor in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu films, making an impact regardless of screen time. His new film is slated for a grand release on April 10.