After My Hubby, I Love SRK The Most, says Jawan Actress Priyamani
Pretty actress Priyamani, who is basking in the massive success of her latest film, ‘Jawan’, heaped praises on Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. She says that he is a warm and caring person besides being a dedicated actor. She also lauded actress Nayantara for striking a perfect balance between personal and professional lives. In an exlcusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, the Jawan actress talked about how she got trained to play a commando in the film. She also hailed Atlee as a marvelous director, who has become a hit machine in the industry.
Q: How did you prep for your role in ‘Jawan’?
A: I want more people to watch our slam bang action adventure so I don’t want to reveal much about our characters. Of course, we underwent rigorous training to fit into the role of a commando. An expert team from South Africa trained us hard and we had to learn how to hold a gun with style, correct our postures and also about moving fast with weaponry. Bollywood stunt master Sunil Rodrigues also helped us in action sequences and it came out well on the big screen.
Q: How was it working with superstar Shah Rukh Khan after in ‘Chennai Express’?
A: Frankly, I love and adore Shah Rukh Khan the most after my hubby Mustafa Raj because he is very caring and warm as a person. Despite his superstardom, he is down-to-earth and lovable and takes care of his co-stars. He was the same during my previous film with him ‘Chennai Express’, in which I danced with him for the chartbuster ‘1234 get on the dance floor’. After a decade, I got this opportunity in ‘Jawan’ where I have a lot of scenes with him and it is always a challenge to match acting strides with him. SRK spreads an aura around him and energizes the whole crew. I’ll cherish the moments I have worked with him forever.
Q: How was it working with Kollywood director Atlee and Nayantara? Did you guys speak in Tami?
A: Director Atlee is a marvelous director and has designed a new avatar for Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan and the reception is overwhelming. After his blockbuster ‘Bigil’ in Vijay, Atlee has delivered another record-breaking hit ‘Jawan’. He is a new hit machine in the tinsel world. I had a few scenes with Nayantara, who is a very talented actress. I admire her body of work and also for striking a perfect balance between her home and work. I had a few discussions in Tamil with director Atlee whenever we were sitting together and it was nice conversing in the language. I also spoke in Tamil with Nayantara. Whereas, I didn’t have any scenes with talented actor Vijay Sethupati, whose meteoric rise I truly admire.
Q: Despite being a Bollywood film, Jawan is loaded with south actors?
A: Regional barriers have disappeared in Indian cinema, so no more south and North films. Actually, Vijay Sethupathi rightly objected to pan India stars reference, saying that all of us are Indian actors. I support his view because Hindi actors in the south and vice versa is a new fad in the industry, so I believe that actors are one community.
Q: After doing an action role in Jawan, have you signed any Bollywood films?
A: Why should a heroine be limited to romantic scenes? We are pretty faces who can also kick some ass when needed. Many of us are doing it with ease. Indian cinema has changed, so let us shed this stereotyping business. I am doing a Hindi film ‘Maidan’ opposite Ajay Devgn which is getting ready for release. I have signed another Bollywood film with director Sangeeth Sivan and another project. Touchwood! Things are going well.
