The stunning CCL calendar with Priyamani in a fuchsia pink short dress that highlighted her curves against the backdrop of a restless sea showed how the actress has come a long way from her image of a demure village girl to a seductress.
Her versatility and talent have not only won her hordes of admirers but also bagged the National Award for Paruthiveeran.
She had acted alongside Mammooty in Pranchiyettan and the Saint and will soon realise one of her dreams by acting opposite Mohanlal in the upcoming Grandmaster.
“I had always wanted to work with Mohanlal at some point of time in my career. I have seen all of Mammooty’s and Mohanlal’s films and feel they are the finest actors in their league in the country,” she gushes. In Grandmaster, which is supposed to be a thriller, she plays the role of a criminal lawyer.
Priya can fit into both masala films as well as meaningful cinema and has a presence in all the four south Indian film industries but her life after the National Award has made her more responsible. “My confidence and responsibility have increased. Even earlier, I was choosy about my roles but have become more selective now.
I only do performances where I am sure my role will be appreciated at some level. There should be scope for me to perform and the director is of prime importance. But I would love to do a negative role though,” she says.
What is the off screen Priyamani like? “I am a total extrovert who loves to yap and make friends. That is a gene passed on by my father which I am thankful for!” says the fun-loving girl who is just back from a well-earned holiday in Australia with family.
What is the secret of her hour-glass figure which the CCL calendar brought forth into full public view? “I do yoga and work out religiously and am careful of what I eat. I do not binge on fried food or chocolates and try to control my food portions. Ultimately workouts are the only way to maintain your fitness,” she says.
Priya likes to give her inputs to her directors. “What is the harm in telling a director, ‘if my character could do this, it could be more impactful?’ Most of the directors are open to suggestions and I am a director’s actor but I do give suggestions.”
While she has worked with a director like Mani Ratnam in Raavan, she has also indulged in lip locks with her leading men and donned a bikini for the Tollywood film Drona.
“What is wrong in wearing glamorous outfits? I wanted to break the village belle mould of Paruthiveeran to avoid being typecast and so started doing glamorous roles. However, I am heeding advice about over-exposure. But if it is necessary, I will expose within limits.”
