Bold and beautiful Priyamani

SUCCESSFUL ACTRESS DISCUSSES HER CINEMATIC JOURNEY, NEW FILM AND DREAM ROLE

by ASJAD NAZIR

INSPIRING Indian actress Priyamani is proof that anything is possible if you work hard, keep challenging yourself and continually step out of the comfort zone.

One of India’s best-kept cinematic secrets has had a massively successful career that has seen her star in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films and TV projects. Her triumphs have included a National and Filmfare award for 2007 Tamil romantic drama Paruthiveeran.

The award-winning star’s new film Ateet couldn’t be released in cinemas due to Covid-19 restrictions and premiered on streaming platform ZEE5 recently.

The suspense thriller sees Priyamani play a mother, whose life is disrupted when her husband, presumed dead for many years, returns to reclaim his family.

Eastern Eye caught up with Priyamani to talk about her amazing cinema journey, new film and future plans.

How have you coped with lockdown?

It is just as normal as any other household. We are taking it one day at a time. I only step out once a week when it is necessary, and we, as a family, are coping with it pretty well till now.

You have had an incredible career, but which projects gave you the greatest joy?

I can’t really pick one as I’ve consciously and judiciously okayed each and every film personally. I have liked each and every project I’ve done. I have enjoyed working on every film right from the first one to ones I am working on currently, despite the fact whether they do well or not. It isn’t entirely up to the artist as far as the performance of a project goes, as how it’s told versus how it comes out can be different sometimes.

Which of your roles was the most challenging to perform?

Of all the films that I’ve done, three have been really emotionally, physically and mentally challenging. First one would be Paruthiveeran, a Tamil film for which I got my National Award, and the second one is Charulata, which was released in Kannada and Tamil and where I played conjoined twins. Lastly, it’s Malayalam film Thirakkatha, which means screenplay. These have been really emotionally and physically draining and challenging for me.

How much has being able to do diverse roles in different languages kept you motivated?

I think it basically has to do with the script and your role in the movie. If it is pleasing and convincing, I would definitely do it. Be it in half an hour or two hours, it depends on each and every director, the length that they narrate it in. If I find it convincing enough, then I’ll do it, otherwise, I say no. I’m fortunate that right from the first film, I’ve been able to portray bold characters. Every character has been strong, motivated, feisty and bold in certain ways, and it feels great that (filmmakers) saw that side of me, right from the start.

Does your approach change between the languages?

My approach doesn’t change between the languages. Language has never been a problem for me as I’m well versed with all the four South-Indian languages and also know Hindi. For me, as long as the script, story and character are interesting in any language, I will love doing it.

Tell us about Ateet?

Ateet is a suspense thriller, a horror genre film and the character I play in the film is called Jaanvi. She is a feisty mother and bold. She’ll go to any lengths to protect her daughter and there’s a line in the movie that says if given a choice she would leave anybody for her daughter. She’s got a family and she’s happy with everyone until her past strikes back that she deals with.

Tell us more…

It’s something different for me as it is a horror genre film. I have done a couple of them in the South, but this was the first time I was doing it in Hindi for ZEE5, an OTT platform. I liked portraying the character as she is the one that takes you through the entire story. It’s a journey about her past and the present.

How does Ateet compare to other roles you have done?

It is pretty much similar to the other roles (in terms of being powerful), but the way it is treated is what makes it very different. There aren’t ghosts coming in with eerie music and it is subtler. It is treated in a very English way, making it different from the other films that I have done.

What was the biggest challenge of playing this role?

There wasn’t anything challenging as such, but the way the character is treated is what made it very different. As I previously mentioned, it has an English touch to it and is portrayed in a subtle way.

You have played an amazing number of characters, but is there a dream role you haven’t played yet?

My dream character would be to play a comic role something on the lines of a Golmaal series or a character with a completely negative shade. Perhaps, a shade of grey throughout the film.

Tell us about your upcoming projects?

I have two in Telugu, one is called Naarappa and another one coming up with Rana (Daggubati). I also have a reality show coming up, which is called Dhee and there is another reality show, which is yet to be announced, so can’t really talk about it now. I also have Maidaan, which is directed by Amit Sharma and stars Ajay Devgn sir, and also we have Family Man Season 2 coming up.

Why should we tune into Ateet?

I would like to firstly thank ZEE5 for coming forward and releasing Ateet on the OTT platform. Ateet is a digital film, and as I said, it is a suspense thriller and the way the genre is portrayed isn’t something I have ever seen before in a Hindi film. It’s got Rajeev Khandelwal and Sanjay Suri. It’s my first official Hindi film where I play the lead. I think ZEE5 and the makers have taken an amazing decision of releasing it on the OTT space. So, whoever has not downloaded ZEE5 and haven’t watched Ateet, I urge you to download it and tune into Ateet right now.

www.zee5.com