I like to identity myself as a performer: Priya Prakash Varrier
When the actress became an overnight sensation for her ‘wink act’ in the 2018-film Oru Adaar Love, she never knew what was in store. Now, three years later, Priya Prakash Varrier has forayed into multiple industries, including Bollywood and Sandalwood. But even as she reflects on her short stint in showbiz, Priya is matter-of-fact when she tells us that all of it just happened.
“I never planned anything,” she adds. “I am glad that I am able to make inroads in various industries, and it helps me in understanding the craft better while bringing me a perspective about how different industries operate.”
In her forthcoming Telugu film, Check, which is directed by Chandrasekhar Yeleti, Priya plays a honey trapper. “It’s a role that presents a new dimension to my acting abilities,” she replies, adding that the interesting aspect about her role is how it surprises the audience. “I had a few reading sessions with the team to better understand my character and also the language as I am new to Telugu. I guess the workshop did a world of good to me.”
Clearly, Priya has no complaints about her acting stint so far. In fact, the actress says she is happy about it all. “I’ve been getting exciting projects from different industries, so I guess it’s an indication that my work is being widely appreciated,” says Priya, who has another Telugu film, Ishq, readying for release.
The actress admits that shuttling between two Telugu films is challenging. “But that’s what keeps me going — the nervousness and the excitement—waiting to show my film to the audiences on the big screen. The high I experience is surreal because I’ve never watched my film on a big screen,” she adds.
Priya also admits that she is selective in her approach to the script.
“That’s because we constantly think about what works and what doesn’t. But you have to choose from what you get," she adds.
And it seems she is indeed choosing varied roles, including that of a crooner in real life, when she recently sang a Telugu number. “I want to see myself as a performer and I want to do roles that receive acclaim.