I want to do out-of-the-box characters

“I’m very secure with the roles I’m offered. Even if it’s a multi-starrer with three or four heroines, it hardly matters to me,” says actress Priyamani adding, “At this point, I’m only particular about whether my role is meaty and has significance in the script.”

Priya, said during a quick chat with DC on the sidelines of promoting her QG - Part 1, a female-centric thriller that sees her in the complex role of Shakuntala, a contract killer.

Despite her success in Tamil cinema, Priya’s appearances on screen in recent years have been relatively infrequent. “I’m not getting many convincing stories,” she admits. “I’m only offered routine, vanilla roles. I want to do strong, out-of-the-box characters, even if it means less screen time.” Reflecting on the growing prominence of South Indian talent in Bollywood, Priya observes, “South Indians have always done well. Vaijayanthimala, Jayapradha and Sridevi once ruled Hindi films. Now, not only actors but also South Indian technicians are making their mark in Bollywood. The borders have opened up.”

Talking about QG, Priya recalls, “Vivek called me during the COVID lockdown and said he’d written the script with me in mind for the lead. As he was describing Shakuntala on a Zoom call, I was floored and immediately said yes.”

Directed by Vivek Kumar Kannan, the film also stars Jackie Shroff and Sunny Leone. Produced by Gayathri Suresh, the film will be released in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi in July.

The film, inspired by real-life ‘quotation gangs’ operating in Kerala, is an exploration of the criminal underworld. “Shakuntala is a woman of few words who lets her actions speak volumes,” Priya explains. “She’s raw and real, a reflection of her dark past. It’s a de-galm role sans makeup.”

The role required Priya to perform several action sequences, all of which she did without a body double. “They were all single shots,” she says with a shrug.

Speaking about working with Jackie Shroff, who plays her boss in the film, Priya says, “We shot our portions in Mumbai’s Dharavi. Vivek told me Jackie Sir’s character was named Mustafa, which amused me because my husband’s name is also Mustafa. On the first day of the shoot, Jackie Sir arrived fully in character, and it was mind-blowing to work with him.”

Priya also hints at a surprising turn by Sunny Leone, who plays a pivotal role in QG. “Her role is something different,” she reveals. “She breaks away from her baby doll image and delivers an intense performance.”

South Indians have always done well. Vaijayanthimala, Jayapradha and Sridevi once ruled Hindi films. Now, not only actors but also South Indian technicians are making their mark in Bollywood. The borders have opened up.” — Priyamani