Puneeth wanted to direct a film with Shivarajkumar and me: Ramya

The actress says she will cherish every moment of knowing Puneeth Rajkumar
I began my career alongside Puneeth Rajkumar in Abhi and I have acted in three films with him. Those were days when actresses would not have separate caravans and he would always allow me to use it as he preferred spending time with the crew on the set. He was someone who loved cinema and I've been privy to his plans.He always wanted to direct and he used to say that he was very keen on making a film starring Shivarajkumar and me. He had also shared how he wanted to direct a music video with the two of us before that and I had joked saying how I could dance with my two left feet.
He and I were in touch and he had spoken to me about my comeback. I was also keen on working with him as people loved us together. In fact, when he had asked me to be a part of Dvitva, I had told him that the film's subject was such that it might not go well with our fans, as they would want the two of us in a romantic entertainer, if we were to be acting in a film together.
I can't bear to think about the loss that his family is feeling right now, especially his daughter who has to travel all the way from abroad all by herself. Puneeth, for me, is not just a co-star, but someone with whom I have grown over the years through my career and learnt a lot from. To refer to him in the past tense is hard. This is a loss that is hard to comprehend.
- As told to Sunayana Suresh