Exclusive Interview: I enjoyed working with Venky sir and Narappa team: Priyamani

Victory Venkatesh and Priyamani starrer Narappa had a direct OTT release today on Amazon Prime Video. On this occasion, we had a telephonic interview with Priyamani where she speaks about the response for Narappa, how she enjoyed portraying the role and about her upcoming projects. Here is the transcript.

Q) Hi Priyamani ji, first of all, congratulations, the film and your performance in the movie has been receiving a positive response. How did you get the film offer?

A) Glad that viewers are loving the film and my performance. Coming to the film offer, I got a call from Suresh Productions saying that they are remaking Asuran in Telugu and asked if I’m interested to do the female lead role. After I said yes, they called for a look test in Hyderabad. Later, the team finalized me.

Q) Working with Venky sir?

A) He is a wonderful human being and a good co-star to work with. I had a great time acting with him and looking forward to working with him again and again.

Q) About your director Srikanth Addala?

A) He is a cool and passionate director. For him also, Narappa is the first of its kind mass film. I loved working with him for Narappa and hope to continue the same association in the future also.

Q) About reprising the original Manju Warrier’s role?

A) Yeah, I enjoyed playing the role which is quite courageous.

Q) Playing mother for three kids?

A) I’m okay with it because things are changing at a rapid pace and the audience mindset has also changed completely. If I was offered the same role a decade ago, I would have definitely said no but in these contemporary times, I’m just seeing the prominence of my character and signing films and shows accordingly.

Q) A few words about your Narappa on-screen family members?

A) It was a wonderful experience while shooting with Rajeev ji, Karthik, Raakhi and the girl child. Everyone is very sweet and used to be soft-spoken people on the sets.

Q) About your role in Virata Parvam?

A) I’m playing a Naxalite character named Bharathakka. As of now, it’s too early to talk about the film. Let’s talk during the film’s release time.

Q) You played challenge roles in films like Paduthviran, Charulatha, what is the most challenging role to date for you?

A) I loved playing all my characters. To be specific, I felt roles in Paruthiveeran, Chaarulatha and Thirakkatha are physically, mentally and emotionally quite challenging.

Q) About TV shows?

A) Currently, I’m representing as one of the judges for the Dhee Kings vs Queens dance show. Yeah, it is going on smoothly and all the contestants are really working hard and throwing challenges to us(judges) with their performances.

Q) Any Kannada and Tamil films in the pipeline?

A) I signed a couple of Kannada and Tamil projects. The shooting for all the films at the initial stage so can’t reveal much about them.

Q) About your Hindi film, Maidaan with Ajay Devgn?

A) Yeah, I already wrapped up the shooting for my part and will be seen in the role of Ajay Devgn’s wife. The film is likely to hit the screens this year itself.

Q) Your role in Family Man 2 has less screen time compared to the first season, tell us about it?

A) I really never bothered about my screen time in The Family Man series and just trusted my director duo Raj and DK. Yes, compared to the first season, my screen time is less but has its importance in the second installment.

Q) When will you be shooting for The Family Man 3?

A) As of now, I too have no clarity on when the shoot kick-starts for the third season of The Family Man. As I said, I’m ready to allocate my call sheets whenever my director duo asks me to join the sets.

Q) Any new web shows in the pipeline?

A) Currently, a couple of projects are at the discussion stage but nothing has been finalized yet.

– Interview by Prudhvi Chava