I am my most authentic self when I am performing on stage: Priya Malik

Priya Malik has donned multiple hats- actress, poetess, writer, storyteller, performer and done it all in style. During her recent visit to the city, Priya- who has been a part of reality shows including Big Brother Australia 11 and Bigg Boss 9, besides celebrated films like Sheer Qorma- tells us about dealing with trolls, why love is the most important emotion in her life and what she loves about Ahmedabad.Ask what brings the performer in her alive, and she avers, "Being on the stage. I am at my most vulnerable and raw state in front of a live audience. I always tell people that I am a poet first. I am an actor sometimes, and a storyteller sometimes, but poetry is always with me. I started writing 12 years ago and that is what brings out the real Priya.”

Priya, who tied the knot with her long-time beau Karan Bakshi in an intimate ceremony recently, talks about how work-life balance is important to her. “I am a little bit of a workaholic but the best part about me is that I am aware of it. So, I consciously try to manage my schedule in a way that I can have regular breaks. Sometimes it becomes very hectic as I am constantly shooting, doing live shows or I am writing; it’s a very solitary job that can consume you even at home. I make sure I have a mindful life rather than living a mindless life. Even on a busy day, I make sure that I slow down, and I am present in every moment which really helps reduce the stress that work brings with it.”
Priya has always given more importance to one emotion- love. So, was there any relationship around her which influenced her growing up? “Love is a primary force of my being. I think the way I feel love, I have never felt any other emotion that way. I have grown up seeing beautiful relationships which have inspired me. And then of course, romantic novels and literature, the media that I was consuming was all based around love. Being married to Karan for the last couple of months has brought out my real self even more. I think I am again that 12-year-old Priya that fell in love for the first time in 1999.

Trolls, unfortunately, are now a part of a performer’s life, and the actress- who was a part of OTT shows like Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein- has been on the receiving end recently. While some ignore, others choose to take trolls head-on. How does she deal with it? "I think ignorance is the best policy. I do not like to engage with negativity and online toxicity at all. And if I ever did, I have regretted it. If you don’t give them the attention that they are desperately seeking, it hurts them the most. George Bernard Shaw said, “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.’ I consider trolling to be one of those things that will make me filthy if I react to them. So, I ignore, delete, mute, block and use these buttons really frequently,” Priya avers.

Priya, who has performed earlier in the city, says she loves everything about Ahmedabad. “I love the city and the food. I went to the food galli the last time I was here. It’s a haven for vegetarians. Ahmedabad made me look at everything very differently. I love the idea of community culture here and the way festivals are celebrated. It is very inclusive in nature. Love and food are very close to me, the love for food and food for love are what I take back from Gujarat,” she concludes.