Talented, confident and ever charming, Priyamani conquered the hearts of Malayalees with the versatile roles she donned. Born into a Tamil Brahmin family and brought up in Bangalore, her love for Malayalam movies is at its peak. She etched on our minds the poignant Malavika from Thirakkatha and the vibrant Padmashree from Pranchiyettan and the Saint. Her courage to deal with criticisms helped her with her comebacks. She entered with great strength and confidence into the film industry.

You started your modelling days at college, how and when did you know movies were also something in your pocket?

I had no plans to join the industry, it all happened by chance. I did get a lot of calls post TV commercials that I did in Chennai as well as Kerala, but I didn’t want to enter into films immediately, I was studying then. In fact, my first movie audition was for Fazil sir’s movie opposite Fahad. Faazil sir was quite pleased with the audition, he wanted me to sign the film immediately. But I couldn’t do that because of my exams; I lost that opportunity. The movie was in fact Fahad’s launchpad. After my exams, I got a chance for Bharathiraja sir’s movie, and that’s how I got into the industry.

In the evolution of the movie world, what changes can you see in movies and the life of actresses in general?

In terms of the story, there is a lot of originality. Talking about the life of an actress, I’m quite relieved that there are more heroine oriented films coming up. Though a hero romancing the heroine is the given formula, it is slowly changing. With an initialization of heroine oriented movies, I hope it continues.

How is that you deal with the criticism of critics and what is the one stereotype that was common?

Of late, there hasn’t been any criticism per say. Initially, when Bhaarathiraja sir’s film released, I hadn’t been to any acting classes. My acting school was none other than Bharathiraja sir himself. He used to enact every expression for the heroine, hero and all the artists involved in the film. What I did was just follow what he showed me. Initially, people said I was overacting, and the expressions were too loud and things like that. But for my next film with Balu Mahendra sir, the very same people wrote I was a dark horse in the film, and I had done a good job.

What is your opinion on glamorous roles, must every actress go for it?

When it comes to glamour we are in an industry where a certain amount of it is required. I would say that there should be a balance between performance and glamour. We have to look nice in front of the camera; we can’t look shabby. If actresses go for over-glamorous roles, kudos to them! They are confident that they can carry if off. I would say they should go for it.

Can you share any movie experiences where you really had to challenge yourself to play a scene or role?

It has to be three films; Paruthiveeran, Thirakkatha and Charulatha. Paruthiveeran was a one of a kind film. If we had to redo the film, it wouldn’t come out as good as it already is. We all were very raw at that point of time. It was the first time I was acting like a village girl and experiencing the village atmosphere. All thanks to Ameer; he helped me a lot with dubbing, acting, expressions and minute body language. Thirakkatha was about the life of an actress who was cancer-stricken. It was quite challenging to act out the frailness of the character suffering from chemotherapy sessions. Ranjith sir helped me a lot with that. The makeup man took 3 hours to do look for a cancer patient. I remember the first time I walked into the set, the moment they saw me the entire crew went silent. For Charulatha, acting as conjoined twins was not easy. We had to re-shoot every shot we took. In the movie, I had a body double. We took Deepika, a girl who matched my height and body. She was of great help. But it was tough for all of us physically and mentally because we had to shoot every scene twice. These three roles were hard and they challenged me.

How do you know you are perfectly suitable for a role in a movie?

The moment they tell me a story, if it catches my attention for the entire duration, I will take it up. Whether it is a ten minute or two-hour narration.It is not in my hands whether the movie becomes a hit or a flop. If I like the story and I am convinced, then I would sign up for it.

You’re in the show D for Dance, and you have an impeccable fashion sense. Can you talk about the style that you emulate?

I would always go for something in vogue. I like to keep myself updated by reading about various fashion designers or any other fashion related articles. I can say that the 70’s and 80’s look is coming back to style. In fact, there are movies coming out based on that period, time, term. We can see the fashion that was in trend at that point of time.

You’ve got a flair for dance, what role does dance play in your life?

Dance definitely played and still plays an important role in my life. From a very young age, I was into dancing, especially because it’s like an extra-curricular activity. I have not learnt a particular form, but I am interested in freestyle. It improves the body’s flexibility. There was one film in Telugu, a heroine-oriented film which required a lot of fight sequences. Dance helped me a lot because fighting is also like dance choreography. The only difference is that the postures and the way you move are different. Apart from acting is there anything else there any other passion? I am an avid ‘animalholic’, especially dogs and cats. I have a chow chow, and his name is Mocha. He is adorably cute and like a ball of fur. When I go for shoots, my mum takes care of him. He is more attached to her. He is not mischievous as such. I strongly believe pets should be on their. They should do whatever they want.

Hailing from Kerala, what’s the one stand out factor of Kerala’s culture and Malayalam movies?

About Malayalam movies, hands down, its originality. You can’t get it anywhere else other than in Malayalam. As far as I know, till date I haven’t heard of a Malayalam film being a remake of some other movie. It is always the other films that are remakes of Malayalam films. Speaking of Kerala, the heart and soul of Kerala is its coconut trees and greenery. The other things that are exclusive to Kerala are tapioca, jackfruit and banana chips. You won’t get the originality of its flavour anywhere else.

How do you celebrate your Onam when you’re away from Kerala?

I have not celebrated Onam in the traditional way, but my mom makes one or two traditional dishes. When it comes to Onasadya, I am a diehard fan of Olan. I can live with Olan 365 days in a year. I also like avail and payasam. It is the first year I had a proper Sadya. I did not eat my breakfast so that I could have a fulfilling meal. I also like the Set mundu and Kasavu sari that is solely part of Kerala’s culture. It is at its best in Kerala, and you won’t look good if you try to replicate it.

What’s the biggest lesson in life that the world of filmdom has taught you?

Don’t believe anyone blindly. In my initial years, I have fallen for the words of people. They promise to do something, and they don’t live up to it. You believe because of the respect you have for that person and just fall for a small word of promise. It’s a very tricky industry; you need to be very careful about whom you are dealing with and how you deal with them. That is what I have learnt over the years. Upcoming projects at the moment, we are on the finishing stages of Sibi Malayil sir’s film Jnangalude Veettil Athithikkal opposite Jayaram sir and my Kannada film Ambareesha with Darshan. It’s complete and is getting ready for release.

QUICKIES

A Hollywood role you would love to don?

Keanu Reeves’s role in Speed or Meryl Streep’s role in Devil wears Prada.

A Malayalam Movie that should be nominated for the Oscars…

Manichitrathaazhu, Akkare akkare akkare, His Highness Abdulla. The list is never ending.

A book that’s on your nightstand…

The Dan Brown series.

A funny thing that no one knows about you?

I am petrified of lizards and cockroaches.

A song that’s currently playing on your phone?

Aysha from Thattathin Marayathu.

The ultimate dance party number for you?

One Two Three Four Get on the Dance Floor.

A current fashion trend that you enjoy?

High wasted pants, pencil skirts, knee-length skirt.

A role that has defined your lifetime of success?

Paruthiveeran.

Any roles you would love to play sometime in the future?

An out and out comedy role and a villain role.