Raavan was great fun: Priya Mani

Priya ManiOn Raavan:

Cannot talk much about Raavan at this point of time. All I can say is that it will be worth looking out for. I will be seen in all the three versions of the film — technically two versions because the Telugu version is a dubbed one. I don’t have any scenes with Aishwarya. But I do share screen space with Abhishek Bachchan.

And I must say it was great fun. There was never a dull moment on the sets, whenever Abhishek was around. His sense of humour was amazing. We were shooting at a village near Madhya Pradesh and the cast would get up as early as 6am and explore the place.

On Mani Ratnam:

This project is a big one for me as it also marks my debut in Hindi. And it is the first time I am working with Mani Ratnam sir. He is a very realistic director. It was a great learning experience.

On Eno Onthara, the Kannada remake of Kushi

This film first made in Tamil, and later on in Telugu and Hindi were all well-received, which had Jothika, Bhumika and Kareena Kapoor respectively. I am hoping that audiences accept the Kannada remake of the same also equally. Shooting for the movie is nearly over, excepting one song, which is pending. I did watch the other versions, and generally the big question is whether there would be an overlapping influence of the other actresses. But I have managed to retain the original feel.

Directed by Magesh and with Ganesh as the hero, the film will be worth watching out for.

On Ram Gopal Varma

Working on Raktha Charitra with Ram Gopal Varma was a fun-filled experience.

Although people think he is very serious by nature, he is incredible fun to work with. Raktha Charitra is a very different film and a very long one (as the entire film is said to last for about 5 hours, the film will be divided into two parts, which will be releasing within three months gap).

The movie will be released in Hindi and Telugu.

Bollywood bound?

I am keeping my fingers crossed on my current projects. I will see how they work out for me. Depending on that I will take up offers. But currently, my hands are full with south-side projects. I feel that being able to speak in all the southern languages is an added advantage and makes a huge difference. I was born in a Palakkad Iyer family and grew up in Bangalore. I dub in Tamil. And of late have started for Telugu as well.

On Prithiviraj

I have done close to four or five films with Prithiviraj. In fact, my first film, in Malayalam was with him. My mother and his mother were college mates. That’s how we got to know each other. We also share a common interest in dogs. He is a great costar to work with and a fantastic actor. So people think that he has ‘attitude’. I refute that.

On Vidya Balan

She is my cousin. But I am not directly in touch with her. However, I stay in touch with her dad.

Plans ahead

I want to concentrate on my career in acting.

Life has changed since Paruthi Veeran.

But I still need to be convinced about my success and foothold in the industry.

Most of the films are hero-centric and getting a female role that is poignant is a big challenge.

Experimenting with roles

I would like to try different roles. After I read a script, I have a discussion with my parents and the final decision I take is based on my instincts.

Even then, there are some kind of roles I would like to experiment with. I would love to play a double role, a character with negative shades and a role on the lines of what Sridevi had experimented with in Moondram Pirai.