Pranitha Subash shot to fame with Pawan Kalyan’s blockbuster, ‘Attharintiki Dhaaredi’. The Kannada actress has been proving that she is a class act by feeding migrant labourers in the time of Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s what she had to say when we caught up with her.
Your exceptional work in these testing times directly helped many people and also inspired many, hats off to you.
Thank you… Thank you so much
Given the current situation, many people are scared to even step out of their houses, but you have been very proactive in a bid to help out migrant labourers, what is the reason behind it?
As soon as the coronavirus pandemic broke out, I sent all my personal staff to their homes. I used to catch up with them through the phone and get to know about their needs. I used to help them out to the best of my capabilities. Soon after, the friends and family of my personal staff started reaching out to me and I started helping them. This is when I understood that the pandemic is affecting many lives. Many people died of hunger and financial crisis than the coronavirus and that hit me really hard. I decided to take proper precautionary measures and try my best to help those in need.
You insisted on setting up shields between driver and travellers in share autos, how did this idea strike you?
Usually, middle-class people prefer to travel by autos as they can’t afford cabs and other car services. They don’t take proper precautions while traveling in autos. On the other hand, even auto drivers can’t invest in sanitary measures and shields. That is the reason why I came up with this idea and set up special shields and other sanitary measures in autos.
What is the most prominent thing you have learnt during this lockdown period?
Prior to the lockdown, I had just about enough time to look after my personal activities and there wasn’t much spare time. But after the lockdown was imposed, I am having enough time to spend with my parents and have some tike for myself. I have been looking after Pranitha foundation and trying to help out as many needy people as I possibly can. The foundation has been receiving donations from other people and even my fans have been helping to the best of their capabilities. Helping those in need is giving me utmost satisfaction.
Many actresses have been speaking about ‘Mee too’ revelations, did you face any such situations in your acting career?
Luckily for me, I did not face any such situation in my career.
You have acted in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi industries, what are the most noticeable changes between these four industries?
I feel that the cinema industry remains the same regardless of the language. As an actress, I get to learn new languages while working in other film industries and alse get to know about the culture in the respective states. For instance, I never knew how to speak Telugu before working in Tollywood. Now, I can speak Telugu fluently and even dubbed for myself in NTR Kathanayakudu. Interestingly enough, I have never dubbed for myself in Kannada films till now.
You have been very selective when it comes to the Telugu cinema industry and rarely starring in a film, what is the reason behind it?
It is not a conscious effort. I have been working in other film industries recently and was not able to work on Telugu films.
What all aspects do you consider while playing a project?
I look at it as a complete package. The story plays a pivotal role ultimately and then comes the male lead, director, and producer. I prefer working with known people.
You put in a lot of efforts while working on a film, how do you feel when it fails?
Everyone faces ups and downs in their lives and the same is the case with the film industry as well. There is a 50-50 chance that a film will succeed or fail at the box office. If the film is a hit, one should enjoy the success. If it is a flop, keep in mind that it is not the end of the road and there is more to come. Coming to contemporary incidents, I wasn’t too scared about coronavirus outbreak and instead tried to stay positive.
You will next be seen in Ajay Devgan’s ‘Bhuj’ which will be out on Hotstar, say a few words about the film
The film is based on 1971 Indo-Pak war. I have combination scenes with Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt. I will be seen in a traditional look in the film and I feel everyone will like it.
You have played cute and bubbly roles till now, how are you as a person?
While in my house, I am a very playful person and I speak a lot when I am with my friends. But I stay reserved while in front of strangers and the people I have met only for a few times.
The lockdown bought OTT platforms closer to the audience and many stars are looking towards digital content currently, what is your take on it?
For me, a film should be watched on the big screens with all the excitement and hungama. It is true that OTT platforms have shown great progress during the lockdown period. Watching films on laptops and TVs is one thing and watching it in a movie theater amidst fans hungama is a completely different thing altogether.
What is your dream role and which director do you aspire to work with?
Well, my dream role would be one on the lines of Bahubali. I would like to act in a mythological drama with all the costumes and other properties. I have a long list of the directors I would love to work with. In Telugu, it would be Rajamouli sir. In Hindi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In Kannada, Prashant Neel.
A word that best describes the superstars that you have worked with?
Pawan Kalyan – Legend, a larger-than-life personality
Mahesh Babu – Very handsome
NTR – Superb dancer
Balakrishna – Very energetic
Ram – Perfection
Karthi – Amazing actor
You have been personally helping many people, do you have any message for your fans?
Theaters will be reopened sooner or later. Prefer to watch a film in theaters rather than the small screens. For now, watch digital content. Try to help out those in need. If you can’t go out and help outsiders, just take proper care of the ones that are close to you.