Priyamani on 20 years in cinema: ‘I have learned not to be a workaholic’

If innate talent, grit, determination, and resurgence together have a name, it has to be Priyamani. The stunning and versatile actress, who has cemented her position as a star to watch out for, is one of the busiest actors in the country today. The icing on the cake is that the National Award-winning actress wears the tag of ‘power-packed performer’ like a badge of honour and pulls off any role with effortless ease.

Priyamani, who was recently seen in a slew of films, including Jawan, Neru, Bhamakalapam 2, Article 370, and Maidaan, is now back on the sets of her popular web series, The Family Man 3. Her work calendar, needless to say, is chock-a-block.

Though the vivacious actress has been showered with love and appreciation from all quarters, she has also faced a barrage of unwarranted criticism and trolling, about her body weight, complexion, and more. But the uber-talented actress managed to take down her trolls like a boss.

In this candid conversation with Indulge, the multifaceted actress opens up on her two-decade-long journey in the tinsel town, how cinema is transcending barriers, how her career is on an upswing, taking to yoga, and at the same time, shutting down trolls with sass. Excerpts...

You are back shooting for the third season of The Family Man. How does that feel?

Oh, it’s been great! It’s like we never left the set. Yes, the gap is there, but once we are on set, it’s all back to how it was when we wrapped up earlier.

You are one of the busiest actors in the industry today. Would you call this your second innings?

I think my second innings began soon after I got married (2017). I have been quite busy since then. I don’t think I’ve taken a break at all. I have been continuously working in almost all industries. I am fortunate and grateful that I am getting some incredible opportunities.

You are now a true-blue Pan India star, aren’t you?

I don’t know who came up with this term, Pan-Indian. I think we should start calling ourselves Indian actors instead. Indian film industry has always been one. Every film industry is churning out some brilliant work, and cinema is transcending borders and breaking barriers. Everyone is getting opportunities everywhere. It’s great and that is how it should be.

Do you think OTT has been a major shot in the arm on that front?

100 percent. During the pandemic, viewership for OTT skyrocketed. Some terrific content kept coming across all the languages. That gave a major fillip to many actors’ careers, including mine. It was like we could tap into a whole new world, be it a web series or a web film, which was made exclusively for that platform. Today, actors find work across languages. And what’s interesting is that they are getting multifaceted roles that they would not have probably gotten in a feature film.

Talking about transcending language barriers, do you think South actors are finally getting their due in Bollywood?

As I mentioned earlier, OTT platforms gave an impetus to actors’ careers. I think after the pandemic, when lockdowns were lifted across the country, a lot of regional content, too, started coming up. Many actors caught people’s attention. Even the movies that were put on hold, got an OTT release and were noticed. Finally, these actors got the limelight they deserved and were able to show their acting prowess to a wider audience.

Having said that, do you also think that actors from the South continue to be typecast in Bollywood? For instance, playing a South Indian in a Hindi project.

I think we should break away from those stereotypes now. But at the same time, if a particular character is a South Indian and the role has weight and has scope to perform, then one should go for it. However, actors should be recognised for their talent and not because of the industry they belong to.

Earlier, offers for actresses would nosedive after their wedding. But today, marriage no longer marks the end of their career. What brought about that change?

It also depends on the person. See, if they wanted to continue, they would have continued. Some people opted to take a break for a year or two and focus a tad more on the family. But when they made a comeback, they would not get the same roles as they used to.

I think the industry has become more accepting today, irrespective of a person’s marital status. Obviously, the love and support from fans keep them going. A person’s marital status doesn’t bother people anymore, and women can now pick and choose their roles. There are author-backed roles as well.

You have spent two decades in the industry. Has cinema shaped your personality as well?

To a certain extent, yes. When I took the plunge into cinema, I was quite naive and had no idea about what was going on. I accepted whatever role came my way. I used to work around the clock. I had not even taken a holiday on my birthday. After meeting my husband, I have learned to take some time off and not to be a workaholic.

How do you strike a work-life balance?

I’m fortunate to have a great team with me. We ensure that the work is done efficiently, but at the same time, it doesn’t take a toll on my health.

You have taken up yoga in a big way...

Oh, yoga has been amazing. Thanks to my wonderful teacher and her team. Yoga has turned me into a fitness enthusiast. My husband, too, keeps saying that yoga has become my second skin and that I cannot live without it. It keeps me going throughout the day. I do power yoga. I dedicate one hour to yoga every day and it has become an integral part of my life.

How do you take care of your mental health?

I’m surrounded by positive people. When I am stressed out, I watch a lot of cat and dog videos.

You have also experienced trolling on social media, especially body-shaming. How do you keep calm in such circumstances?

Earlier, I used to feel bad, but it didn’t affect me on a personal level. I did feel that I was unnecessarily being dragged into the rabbit hole. Later, I took things in my stride, saying, ‘It’s okay; rumours will float around for a day or two, and will eventually die down’. I have been surrounded by some wonderful people who ensure the stress doesn’t get to me.

Coming back to films, you started on a high with the Bharathiraaja film (Kangalal Kaidhu Sei) and a role like Muthazhagu in Paruthiveeran, for which you won the National Award for Best Actress as well.

Yes, I am fortunate to have made my debut under such a legendary director. My next Tamil film (Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam) was with the late Balu Mahendra sir, yet another legend, and all this at the beginning of my career. People criticised my work in my debut, but the same people later said that I was the dark horse in Balu Mahendra sir’s film.

They loved my performance in Paruthiveeran. The credit goes to Ameer sir. He made us who we are today. He played a crucial role in shaping my career and Karthi’s. We got a lot of accolades and awards, and roles started pouring in. After Paruthiveeran, it was onward and upward for the both of us. I’m extremely proud of Karthi’s body of work. I hope he is proud of mine too.

Since you began your career with power-packed roles, do you think you missed out on some heavy-duty romance?

I don’t think I suit the bubbly, cute, sweet girl-next-door roles. But that also depends on the director’s visualisation. Even if my roles were on a lighter note, they still carried a lot of weight. I’m happy with the way my career has shaped up.

What kind of roles are you looking for in the future?

I want to do a character with shades of grey, like what Ramya Krishnan did in Padayappa or what Kajol did in Gupt. See, Neelambari (Ramya’s character was on par with Padayappa. Without Neelambari, there was no Padayappa, and vice versa. They were the driving forces of the film. I want to play a role like that.

During the shooting of Jawan, you said you were in complete awe of Shah Rukh Khan. If you were cast as the lead opposite him, what kind of role would you like to play?

A romantic one, of course. Come on, he is the king of romance. I would love to do a film like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or Kal Ho Na Ho.

Today, actresses are experimenting with their lines of beauty or fashion brands. Would you like to dip your hands into something like that?

I’ve not thought about it. But my husband and I are working on a range of skincare products. It’s still in the nascent stage, so I will talk about it when there’s something concrete.

Is it inspired by your beauty regimen?

Well, it’s based on Ayurveda, oils, plant extracts, and things like that. It’s organic, for sure. As for my beauty regimen, I try to remain indoors as much as possible. I moisturise and use sunscreen even when I am indoors. I keep hydrating myself with oodles of water and fluids.

sangeetha.p@newindianexpress.com

@psangeetha2112