Firstly the most obvious question, why films for you?
I’ve grown up being mesmerised by cinema and just like the average Indian film audience members I too watch films to escape into this make believe world. I love the relationship Indian cinema audiences have with the actors and the films and that relationship can’t be found anywhere else in the world. I’ve grown up with films and more importantly; I’ve grown up on Sridevi films. She had such an impact on me and with hope that I could ever have such an impact on my audiences I entered cinema.

And acting wasn’t your first choice as means to get into cinema?
I just knew I wanted to be part of this world. Initially I’d pursued a career in journalism and communication so imagined myself behind the screens as initially worked in managing channels etc. When I moved to India it was with a view to work with director Shankar. However acting opportunities came to me first and I took it up with a view to going behind the scenes perhaps later.

How did you take the decision to move back to India?
To be honest my relationship with Indian cinema grew much stronger when I made this move. There’s something about it when you move away from your country and you hold onto cinema because it connects you. When I took the decision to move back, my Dad said that I was stepping back instead of forward since people do a lot to migrate to the US. He suggested I do something in LA or Canada with films but I was very clearly that it’s Indian cinema I want to be a part of for the reason that audience’s relationship with cinema in India is so unique.

How has the support of family and friend been since the move and over the years?
They’ve been tremendously supportive. I’m an only child and the best and most dearest gift my parents have given me is my independence. They’ve allowed me to make my decisions, face consequences and good or bad, they’ve been there by my side. They see how hard I’m working now and that this job isn’t easy at all and so their support has grown even more. At times when I’m down they’ll remind me of how far I’ve come.

And their reaction to witnessing you in action?
It’s quite an odd situation for them because this is my work so how I am when giving interviews or when I’m onscreen is not anything like how they know me. A lot of times my friends, who are the same friends I’ve had for years, will tell me that I sound so different in interviews. They find it highly amusing when they see me onscreen in a romantic situations crying over a boy or something. But I have to just say just how tremendously supportive. Most importantly they keep me grounded and haven’t allowed me to loose myself in the process which was initially people’s fear.

How was the experience of facing the camera for the first time, considering you never imagined you’d get into acting?
It was really weird! I was a girl who has grown up in the US and was given something rather melodramatic to do and all I could think was “who talks like that!” But working on my later film 180 changed the way I see my job and has changed me also. It made me realise how I can switch between Priya the person and Priya the actress. A lot of times people simply comment me on that role and say I was so natural but what people don’t realise is to bring about a natural performance is far tougher than doing a melodramatic scene.

Now that we’re talking 180, one of your finest performances in my opinion, how was the experience?
It was a lot of hard work! It wasn’t as effortless as people say it looked. It took a lot out of me as I was playing a character who had everything in one moment and then it all just got snatched away. To top that all up it was a bilingual film so every emotion had to be repeated in another language. But honestly I am so grateful for this film and my director Jayendra who made me realise my craft is more than just make believe. The film helped me find myself as an actor and performer.

Coming to your filmography leading up to 180 you’ve starred in primarily what the industry would class as “two heroine” films, so I take it that it not something that you give a great deal of importance to?
Absolutely. I don’t care about it at all. I am not concerned about my screen time, I just want to be part of a great script. With 180, I had Nithya Menon who is such a brilliant actress! A genuine performance in a good script gets recognised regardless. With my debut Telugu film Leader, my role of Ratna Prabha was so well received by the Telugu audiences and it wasn’t a single lead role. Then I did Rama Rama Krishna Krishna, which was a full out commercial film and again a two heroine film. It was an experience to be part of a true commercial piece of cinema. And now with English Vinglish, I’m in a film where Sridevi is the star! And as intimidating as it was to perform in front of her, to be able to hold my own in front of a person like Sridevi just helps me become a more stronger performer.

So would you say you know what you want when you read a script? Do we have criteria to abide by?
For me it is working with people I’m comfortable with. I’m not a film school student. I need to make sure I am working with people who’ll help me build even more on my existing respect for cinema, I don’t want to have any bad experiences. Money’s not a motivation nor is the name of the person. It’s the ability to learn from them. Jayendra was a first time director but the moment I met him I knew that a lot was to be learnt from him. With English Vinglish it was slightly different as when I read the script not only did I enjoy it thoroughly, I knew I had to be a part of this because it was so important to Sridevi. It was her comeback and I got to be part of this moment.

We end our introductory interview with Priya Anand on that note and promise to bring you more from the actress about her experience of shooting for her idol’s comeback film, English Vinglish. Stay tuned to Bollyspice!

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Jackson, who was last seen in Ek Deewana Tha, has been filming in the British capital with Vikram (Raavan) for her third Indian feature film since early May. Thaandavam is directed by A. L. Vijay and also stars Anushka Shetty.

BollySpice can exclusively report that the 21-year-old actress filmed important scenes for Thaandavam in Battersea, London with Vikram and Santhanam.

The actors shot scenes near Oyster Wharf, Battersea, London on Saturday. Tamil actor Nassar, who was recently seen in UTV’s Rowdy Rathore was also present on location.

Other shooting locations include Wimbledon, Tower Bridge and Camden.

Thaandavam is a Tamil action film set in London and will release in the UK later this year through UTV Motion Pictures.

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“It’s logical to have a Mumbai address now that I’m looking to balance work in Bollywood and also down south. So, I’m hunting for houses. Hope I find a good one soon.” said the Barfee actress, who has already wrapped her shoot for the film.  The actress’ current is close to the sea so she is looking for something face the sea in Mumbai as well.

Barfee! costars Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra and is set for release in July.

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Speaking enthusiastically with TOI Priya said, “I heard about Sridevi’s comeback in the papers and as a fan, I was thrilled. I knew they were casting, and was happy when I was approached twice for a role in it. I auditioned for them right after a photoshoot for a magazine, where I incidentally recreated an image of hers from Mr India – in a wet blue sari! I signed this film just to be up and close to an artist who has influenced me and to be part of something that was so important to her. I’m doing this movie as her fan and I’m fortunate enough to play a very important part in her journey in the film” She confirms that the film doesn’t feature her in a romantic role but she claims that Sridevi is her one and only love interest as far as this film is concerned. In addition, she also divulged that the film carries an amazing soundtrack! Priya will also be seen in a track which required her to lip sync in Marathi, a language that she has no knowledge of.

This will be Gauri’s directorial debut which has been shot extensively in New York. Whilst it is a film in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions are expected.

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The first of its kind, the world premier had a huge response from the online fans especially for the Tamil and Telugu teaser for ‘Chammak Challo’, a song which has taken the entire country by storm. Following which, the music was officially launched on Monday by Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai. Along with SRK, the popular South Indian actress, Suhasini Maniratnam was also present for the launch event. Now the fans are eagerly waiting for the longer version of ‘Chammak Challo’ and ‘Dildaara’ in Tamil which is going to be out very soon indeed.

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Winners of a contest held by the organizers also got to attend this star-studded affair and got to witness SRK dance to the tunes of the worldwide hit ‘Chammak Challo’. SRK basically MC’d the whole event and while doing so also thanked Rajinikanth for a cameo appearance in the movie. SRK adds, “I am one of the fortunate few who has had the good fortune of working with Kamal Haasan in Hey Ram and now Rajini in RA.One. Both of them are my childhood heroes. My mother is from Hyderabad and even as a young boy, I remember her telling me about these two great actors. I am also impressed with the work of Mammooty and Mohanlal. These are actors I deeply admire. I just wish I can be as humble as Rajini sir some day. He’s a fantastic human being. He has touched my life in more ways than one.”

Ra.One opens in theaters this Diwali.

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But it seems that Ms Kaif is not happy with the role of the narrator, in comparison to second lead Priyanka Chopra who plays a mentally challenged character. Moreover there seems to have been no mention of this as reported by sources earlier this year. Whether there is truth to this or there are other reasons is left to be unknown but sources close to the film have told Times of India that was definitely a lot of confusion.

However, things have changed yet again with Asin now back in the same role she walked out of earlier this year. Although she chooses to keep mum about the factor of why, the Ghajini actress states she is definitely a part of the film. She also adds “Let me make it clear that I will never opt out of a film to avoid a co-star. In fact it would be a pleasure to work with Priyanka” when questioned about her exit from the film earlier on and if like Katrina’s rumoured reasoning, she too had concerns. Silence is currently in pre production stages and is set to go on the floors early 2011.

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For Vivek Oberoi’s latest flick, Rakht Charitra, the role required Vivek’s character to smoke. However, Vivek being true to his beliefs refused to smoke, as he did not want to encourage smoking amongst his fans!

Vivek also recently talked about working with Suriya on the film, “Many of you have been asking about my experience working with Suriya anna…so I thought I’d share….I’ve known Suriya anna for almost 7 years now and with every year he has only grown, both as an actor and as a human being with a golden heart! He was such an absolute pleasure to work with. 13 years in the industry and his enthusiasm and commitment only gets better and better! He has been a source of inspiration and advice and I treasure him as a brother. Recently he had a chat with me about marriage, about being a good husband and a good father…the beautiful experiences he shared, the advice he gave me…he touched my heart deeply…my respect for Suriya anna has doubled!!! He is the true ‘singham’ at heart ”

Rakht Charitra is directed and produced by Ram Gopal Varma, it is based on the story of student turned politician Paritala Ravi played by Vivek Oberoi. It is set to release on the 22nd October.

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Vivek Oberoi’s Rakht Charitra Diaries – Pratap Ravi’s Scooter

RGV talked about the story of the film on his blog saying, “Paritala Ravi was arguably the most feared individual ever in the history of the blood-ridden faction politics of South India. He was a prime accused in innumerable murder cases and also survived numerous assassination attempts, the most brutal of which happened on a quiet Friday afternoon in November 1997 when a road near Rama Naidu Studio in Hyderabad was turned into a death field by a bomb which killed 26 people but failed to get its intended target Ravi.”

Also check out Vivek Oberoi’s official site.

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Check it out here!

Rakht Charitra – Clip 1 (The Prologue)

Rakht Charitra -1 is the story of Paritala Ravi’s phenomenal rise to power and a story of the most intense blood curdling conflict ever heard of between two individuals. Paritala Ravi was a shy soft-spoken student but the force of circumstances made him retreat into the jungles to become a rebel. He wanted to avenge the death of his father and brother and came to power by establishing a parallel justice system. While Vivek Oberoi plays the role of Pratap or Paritala Ravi, the South Indian actor Suriya making his debut in Bollywood plays the role of Maddelacheruvu Suri, his rival. Priyamani plays the role of Gangula Bhanumati, wife of Suri. Shatrughan Sinha who will be seen without his trademark handle bar moustache will playing the role of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. T. Rama Rao.

As the movie lasts for 5 hours it has been split into two parts. The first part will release on October 22 and the second part on November 19.

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