Actress Rukmini Vasanth is currently in the news for Yash’s film ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups’. But beyond the film, Rukmini’s personal story is also deeply inspiring. She was just 10 years old when her father, Colonel Vasanth Venugopal, was martyred during an encounter with terrorists in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir.
Around eight terrorists were reportedly involved in the operation. Colonel Vasanth fought them bravely and was later awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. His wife and daughters also continued his legacy by working to support military families.
Colonel Vasanth Venugopal made the supreme sacrifice while fighting eight terrorists in Uri.
Who was Colonel Vasanth Venugopal?
Rukmini Vasanth’s father, Colonel Vasanth Venugopal, was an Indian Army officer and the Commanding Officer of the 9th Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry. On July 31, 2007, he was leading an operation against terrorists in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
Eight terrorists were trying to infiltrate India
A group of terrorists was attempting to enter India by crossing the Line of Control (LoC). In an interview, Rukmini said that around eight terrorists were involved in the operation. The Army successfully eliminated all of them, but Colonel Vasanth and his radio operator were martyred during the encounter.
Awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously
For his courage during the operation, Colonel Vasanth was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. According to Rukmini, he was the first Army officer from Karnataka to receive the Ashoka Chakra.
Father was very special to his daughter
Rukmini has often spoken about her father while remembering him. She described Colonel Vasanth as a loving father who was equally devoted to his duty as a soldier. He believed that an officer should always lead his men from the front.
Following this belief, he personally led his team during operations. Rukmini was only 10 years old when her father was martyred. Losing him at such a young age had a deep impact on her life. She has said that while she does not remember every detail of what happened during her childhood, the memories of her father have stayed with her.
Mother raised their two daughters after his martyrdom
After Colonel Vasanth’s martyrdom, the responsibility of raising their two daughters fell on his wife, Subhashini Vasanth. A Bharatanatyam dancer, Subhashini started the Vasantharatna Foundation for Art around six months after her husband’s death. The foundation works to support the families and widows of soldiers who have been martyred.
Rukmini has recalled that her father would regularly meet the families of martyred soldiers. He would visit their homes, spend time with them and try to understand the challenges they were facing. Subhashini would often accompany him during these visits. After his death, she decided to continue the work that had been close to her husband’s heart.
Rukmini Vasanth is playing the character of Melissa in the film ‘Toxic’. It is a mysterious and complex role, which has a special connection with Yash’s character.
Had to struggle for compensation even after the Ashok Chakra
After Colonel Vasant’s martyrdom, the family had to go through another struggle. There was a provision to provide land as compensation to the family of an Ashok Chakra recipient, but Subhashini had to make several rounds of government offices to obtain it. Under a 1971 Karnataka government order, there was a provision to provide Rs 1.25 lakh or two acres of irrigated land to the family of an Ashok Chakra recipient.
Many years later, Subhashini questioned this rule. She stated that in an era of rising inflation, this amount was extremely low and the rule needed to be changed. In an interview with ‘The New Indian Express’ in 2016, she mentioned that repeatedly visiting government officials for her rights was a very difficult experience for her.
Rukmini is carrying forward her father’s legacy
After Colonel Vasanth’s martyrdom, his family continued the work of helping soldiers and their families. Meanwhile, Rukmini made a name for herself in the world of acting. Today, she is among the well-known actresses of Kannada cinema and is appearing in Yash’s film ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups’.
Rukmini’s story is not just about the struggle and success of an actress. Behind it lies the legacy of a martyred father, a mother’s responsibility, and the vision of helping military families, which her family continues to carry forward to this day.
