'What's the harm in using your body'

doweshowbellyad=0; Bindaas (TOI Photo)The actress had a great time shooting with Mammootty
She wasn’t aping any Miss World when she had that ohmigawd look after being announced the Best Actress, Malayalam, at the recent Filmfare Awards. I wasn’t expecting it, though I’ve won it once before, says Padma Priya, who bagged the award for Karutha Pakshikal with Mammootty.I do films because I love them, but when the compliments pour in I feel privileged, she says.
The actress had a great time shooting with Mammootty; this is the fourth time she’s working with him. I was very intimidated by him. He’s simply fabulous and can carry off even the most difficult roles with ease. It’s the same with Mohanlal; he’s a superb actor. I’ve done two films with him. But now I’m used to being intimidated, she says.
So what does she think of acting with heroes twice her age? They are all such senior actors. And frankly, in Malayalam, I have no option. The best scripts go to the senior actors because the others are too young to carry off such powerful roles. But no complaints. I’m glad I’m working with such established actors; they teach you so much, she explains.
Priya has played a gamut of roles from the tradition-bound girl in Thavamai Thavamirundhu, the de-glam mother in Karutha Pakshikal, to the glam girl in Pattiyal. Didn’t she want to stretch the teeny-bopper roles for a while longer?
It depends on the industry. In Kerala, you get a variety of roles and I like being versatile. But I regret not playing younger, more fun roles in Tamil films. Maybe I could’ve saved Thavami Thavamirundhu for later. Not that I regret it, but I could have done frothier parts and come back to that. But then again it also depends on the market, says Priya.
And what about her bold role in Pattiyal, which featured the actress in intimate scenes with her co-star? After the very docile girl in Thavamai, I had to provide some shock value to the audience. When Demi Moore does a Striptease, we don’t call it vulgar.
In fact, I loved her in the film. And when you have the body, what’s the harm in using it as a prop, be it in a saree or a dress? But I don’t agree with doing it for titillation, says the actress, candidly.
And what about the link-up with Arya?
That’s because in Thavamai, Cheran and I get intimate and cry and in Pattiyal, we laugh after we’ve done it! Besides, both our personal lives are not happening, so at least this spices things up she says.