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'Rakta Charitra 2 is Vivek and Suriya's film'
Priyamani is heading for the big league after getting opportunities to do films with big directors like Mani Ratnam and S S Rajamouli, and actors like Nagarjuna (Ragada is their latest project).
Since she is equally conversant in all the four South Indian languages -- Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam -- she juggles films in all the four languages easily. Her second Hindi film, Rakta Charitra 2 is directed by Ram Gopal Varma and stars Tamil superstar Suriya and Vivek Oberoi.
In this interview, the National Award winning actress talks about Rakta Charitra 2, and working with Ram Gopal Varma and Suriya. Excerpts:
Were you thrilled when you were offered Rakta Charitra by Ram Gopal Varma?
Of course, why wouldn't I? I was shooting the Telugu film Golimaar in Lankawi (Malaysia) when Ramu Sir called Puri Sir (Jagannath, the director of Golimaar) as he couldn't get in touch with me. I called back and he told me about Rakta Charitra Part I and II, Vivek Oberoi and Suriya. He said it's about real people. I had heard the news of Paritala Ravi's death. Why would anybody say no to doing this film? When I came back from the shoot, I started my work with Ramu sir.
Did you agree immediately after the narration?
There was no narration. I was told I have a small part. I play Suri's (Suriya) wife. It's basically Vivek and Suriya's film.
'RGV is a fabulous director'
How did you approach the role? Did you act on the basis of the brief given by Ramu or did you meet Suri's wife in reality?
No I didn't meet Suri's wife.
How do you perceive RGV as a director?
It's a sheer experience working with Ramu sir. I have seen his genre of films from Rangeela, Sarkar to Darna Mana Hai. He's a fabulous director. He's done films in all genres. He's extremely chilled out and very calm. There's no tension. The way he extracts work is unbelievable. He'll tell you, this is what you can do and suggestions to make the scene better.
'I am comfortable in all the languages'
How did you shoot Rakta Charitra in all the three languages?
We would shoot the scene first in Tamil. We (Suriya and I) would do rehearse for the scene 2-3 times while Ramu sir would give his inputs to better it. Then we would give the take, switch to Hindi and Telugu. So there were three different takes. But I am comfortable in all the languages.
Is your role emotionally intense?
It has its fair share of performance. There are two-three emotional scenes and a flashback. The character is a normal, ordinary girl. She's independent and in love with Suri (Suriya's character). Basically I am playing the character's real life on celluloid.
'I don't have any scenes with Vivek'
Was it easy for you to get out of the role?
There was no problem for me. When compared to the roles played by Vivek or Suriya, mine is much in a lighter vein. It's a supporting character.
How was it acting with Suriya for the first time? How did you two complement each other's performance?
I think you should see that on screen. Suriya is a fabulous performer. I had interacted with him on a 'hi-hello' basis. I was completely blown away by him. He is totally dedicated. He would get into the skin of the character and find ways to make the character believable. The moment you see him act, you feel it's so effortless.
Did you have any scenes with Vivek?
No. I met him during the promotions.
'Shooting for Rakta Charitra was more relaxing than shooting for Raavan'
This is your second Hindi film after Raavan. How was the Rakta Charitra 2 experience?
It was great. The only difference was during the time of the shoot of Raavan everyone would leave the hotel at 6 am and travel in a convoy for about 55-60 kms and then travel back at the end of the day.
For Rakta Charitra, Ramu sir would give us the agenda the night before. It was more relaxed as my call sheet was only for 10.30 am. So I would get up at 7.30 and travel to the set. It was more relaxed. The shoot would go on till 6 pm.
For Rakta Charitra we shot for all the three languages the same day, whereas for Raavan the Hindi version was shot first and the Tamil version later.