Priyamani is best known to Tamil cinema audiences for her powerful performance in Paruthiveeran (2006), which earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. Having featured in several notable films alongside leading stars across all South Indian languages over the years, Priyamani has been making heads turn in recent times by starring in the hit web series The Family Man, while also playing a pivotal role in Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's blockbuster Jawan (2023). Having also delivered commendable performances in Mohanlal's Neru in Malayalam (2023) and the Hindi political thriller Article 370 (2024), the actress is set to be seen next in the much awaited biographical sports drama film, Maidaan, alongside National Award winner Ajay Devgn releasing in theatres worldwide on April 11.
With the release of Maidaan around the corner, Priyamani sat down for a candid conversation with National Award-winning film critic Baradwaj Rangan, the Editor-in-Chief of Galatta Plus, and opened up on what she thinks is the reason for not being a sought after name in the South Indian film industry. The actress stated, "I've also wondered as to why I've not been cast along with the A-listers. The male actors. I think it's a question that's still unanswered. I think it's a question which you'll have to ask the directors and the producers. Again, I'm not trying to find fault with anybody, but this is what I heard that a lot of people do not want me to be cast opposite them along with them or in that film because probably for the fact that 'I might eat them up'. This is the thing I've been hearing." She continued, "I know it's not true, but I still don't know what the exact reason is. So, I wish somebody could answer this question for me as well. But, that's okay. Whatever is the reason, that's absolutely fine. I'm very happy and very content as in where I am. And, another thing is I don't believe in number games. I don't believe that you need to be seen only if you're acting with a lot of A-listers. It has its advantages also."
In regard to how acting with A-listers will help garner more visibility, Priyamani said, "Somewhere I did feel bad that why I was not cast with them. Though half of them, we are acquainted. We do say, 'Hi', 'Hello', whenever we meet. But, it's a question that they have to answer. At the moment, I'm quite happy and content with the work that I'm doing be it after the rise of OTT, even if it is movies because I have been dabbling with all the four south industries. If not Tamil, I did some very good work in Telugu. I did a lot of good work in Malayalam and in Kannada as well. So, now fortunately, the Hindi leg has also started. So, better late than never, but I'm extremely happy where I am." She added, "Even though this journey had its fair shares of ups and downs, even though half the time there were times when I was just sitting at home, trying to do some nice quality work. Obviously. Some I've done just done it for, 'Let me be seen', kind of a thing. This was much before I'm saying. That's okay. I mean, that's also part of your journey."
Watch Priyamani in conversation with Baradwaj Rangan in the video below:
