India, Oct. 28 -- Yash's journey from Kannada cinema to the global stage has not made him any less proud of where he comes from. At the Los Angeles premiere of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, the actor spoke about his roots, his pride in Indian cinema and his hopes of taking the epic to audiences around the world.

Yash, who plays Ravana and co-produces the film, began his address at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with a traditional "Namaskara". Reflecting on his journey, he said, "Where you start can never define how far you can go," highlighting how his identity as a Kannada actor remains an important part of his place in Indian cinema.

Speaking about what the epic means to the country, he said, "Telling our story, which is not just...