1 hour agoAuthor: Amit Karna
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Actress Shanti Priya is making a comeback on the big screen through the Tamil film ‘Bad Girl’ after three decades. In this film, she is playing the role of a mother, which reflects the complexities of the relationship between today’s parents and children. There was a special conversation with the film before the release of the film …
You are returning from ‘Bad Girl’. What is special in this film that you chose it?
There is a lot of special in this film. After 35 years, returning to Tamil cinema and that too on the big screen, it is a big thing for me. This is not a return to my career, but a ‘Rebarth’. My character in this is very good. I am playing the role of a mother in it, who shows misunderstandings between today’s children and parents. The message of the film is that no one is wrong, just the way of understanding and talking is different. The film’s director is Varsha India, who has shown the subject with great sensitivity. The film not only shows a mother-daughter relationship, but also explains what a woman’s heart and feelings are.
Did you feel some changes when the camera surfaced after a long time?
I am a classical dancer and have worked in many films before, so I did not have any problem in facing the camera. However, returning to the Tamil film industry after so many years was a experience for me returning to my home.
My mother tongue is Telugu, but I grew up in Chennai and my career started from Tamil cinema. So when I was talking in Tamil on the set, it felt as if I am in my mother’s house. This experience was very emotional and pleasant for me.
Why did you take a long break? Did the idea of returning ever come to mind?
I had never left acting completely. I have worked continuously in Hindi cinema. I took only a long break from the Tamil film industry. I have also done shows like ‘Aryaman’, ‘Mata Ki Chowki’ and ‘Dwarkadi’. After my husband’s death, I had to raise my children. Being a single parent, she was my biggest responsibility. Now that my children have grown up, I can fully focus on my work. This is my passion and I think I am now back to the world where I feel the most comfortable.
What kind of character would you like to play further?
I want to play such characters as an artist, not glamorous, which the audience remember. I do not want to come to the film to stand just one prop or stand behind anyone. I want a character that pursue the story of the film. According to my age, I want to do a mature love story, want to do a full-on comedy film and also do a great action film. I want to show my audience what I can do and what they can expect from me.
Saugandh, released in 1991, was the first film of Akshay Kumar as lead actor.
Would you like to get into direction or production too?
Of course, why not. My younger son has recently started working as a writer, director and creative head and has an elder son singer and music composer. We come from the legacy of the great filmmaker V. Shantaram. It is our duty to pursue his name. We will definitely illuminate their name together. If we get a chance, we will definitely work together and take this legacy of our family forward.
Will you like to work with which actor of today?
I would not like to name any one actor. I got married very soon at the beginning of my career, so I did not get a chance to work with many actors. Now I have come back, so I want to work with everyone. Each actor is different, whether it is Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Ayushman Khurana or Ranbir Kapoor. Working with everyone will be a different experience. I am eager to work with everyone as an artist, because every artist teaches something new.
Do you regret any decision of your career?
I do not regret it but I think I should have thought twice on the break I took after marriage. I think I missed a lot. If I had stopped and thought at that time, my career would have been at a different turn. But what happened is sleeping, now I am looking forward. Now I have a new opportunity, and I want to cash it down completely.
Shantipriya made her Bollywood debut with Saugandh. She had earlier done about 25 films in South.
You also worked with Gemini and Akshay. Did there be any conversation when working together again?
If I get a chance, I would definitely like to work with them. Mithun and Akshay have been the best artists of our era and working with them is always a great experience. It is not that someone has refused to work. If there is a good story and character, why wouldn’t I work with them? Whether it is Mithun ji, Akshay ji, Sunil Shetty ji, or any artist of our time. Today my aim is to leave a legacy from my work, which people remember. Everyone earns names, but it is a very big thing to leave a legacy.