Continuing the lockdown interview series, today, we bring you an exclusive interview with the talented actor Priyadarshi. In a detailed conversation, we spoke to him about his future projects, upcoming web series Loser, doing good roles, and dream projects. Here is the transcript.
How has the response been to Mallesham on OTT platforms?
Touchwood, it has been very good. A lot more people are watching the film on OTT now and sending messages to me. I am very proud of the film and it brought me a good name as an actor.
Why have you become selective?
Nothing like that. I have been shooting back to back for my films and some of the films that were ready for release were stuck because of the lockdown. I have a number of films lined up like Jati Ratnalu, Naadi, Prabhas, and Sharwa’s next, and this week my web series, Loser will be out.
How excited are you about your series Loser?
I am quite excited about it as I got to play a very challenging role after a long time. It is about the sport of Air Rifle and how an underdog played by me gets bogged down in life and makes a comeback. There are other two main characters in the series and how these stories are connected to each other irrespective of being in different time zones is the best part of the show.
How did you prepare for this role?
It was a challenging task as I learned the air rifle for a month from the Gagan Narang academy. The emotional aspect and the scenes between key characters also needed the best from me to showcase my talent.
Working with Annapurna banner for this web series?
They have done a tremendous job to make this web series along with Zee 5. My director did a superb job with the screenplay and that is what attracted me in the first place. The entire team whom I worked on this web series is young blood and I learned a lot from them.
Are you happy with your career so far?
When I started out, the only goals were the films that I did needed to release. Once that started happening, I wanted my films to do well and Pelli Choopulu happened. Then I wanted diverse roles and it happened with Mallesham. So, I am taking one step at a time and have kept my options open.
Are you a better comedian or a character actor?
Everyone loves me in comic roles. The first they asked me is what should we call you, an actor or comedian. I tell them I want to be recognized as an actor who does versatile roles. Loser is one such role that will showcase me in a new angle as the story had a lot for me to perform.
Do you have any dream roles?
There is no dream role as such but I want to do negative roles in the days to come. They are quite challenging for an actor. Many think comedy is easy but that is the most difficult. I am a great fan of Irrfan Khan and do films like him irrespective of age and look.
Have you signed anything else on OTT platforms?
Trust me, OTT is going to be big in the days to come. A number of big producers are coming ahead to make content for OTT. The shows on OTT give you more scope to perform as the time is more. Movies have their own charm because of its reach. As of now, I have good offers but I have not signed anything.
How is martial life going on?
It is going very smoothly. My wife and I are in a happy space. I am doing my own thing and my wife is busy with her own novel that she is working on as of now.
What is the first thing you want to do post the lockdown?
I surely want to get back on sets as there is a lot of pending work. Apart from this, I want to go on a lavish dinner with my close ones.
With that, we ended our interview with Priyadarshi and wished him the best of luck or Loser and his film projects.
Interviewed by Avad