Genuinely nice actors are few: Haripriya

It’s been a while since Haripriya was last seen on screen. The actor’s last release was Cheluve Nina Nodalu which hit theatres in 2010. But Haripriya says she hasn’t entirely been MIA. Instead, she’s just been maintaining a low profile.
“I was shooting for films in three industries — Manjina Hani in Kannada, Pilla Zamindaru in Telugu and Muran in Tamil — all ready for release.Shooting in different industries has kept me busy and away from the city,” she says.
With her Kannada film Manjina Hani, in which she pairs with Crazy Star Ravichandran, she has fulfilled a long cherished dream. “He’s the only director in Sandalwood who showcases his heroines in a beautifully glamorous way. I look very nice in the film,” says Haripriya.
But Manjina Hani was not Haripriya’s film when Ravichandran began shooting for it. He had shot for about 80% of the film with a newbie, when he realized that it wasn’t turning out the way he wanted it to. So he decided to start from scratch again and as a first measure, replaced the heroine. “I knew that Manjina Hani had a new heroine and that shooting for the film was almost over. I was surprised when Ravichandran sir called and offered me the role. He explained that he was overhauling the project and wanted me to play his love interest,” she explains.
Haripriya’s other Kannada project is Sagar, which also stars Radhika Pandit and Sanjjanaa. “I’ve never been hung up about being the sole lead in a film. Ensemble casts are fine with me, as long as my character is meaty. It doesn’t matter if there are ten other actors in the film. I’ll just make mine stand out from the rest,” states Haripriya.
What about reports that she’s a loner in the industry? The actor claims that is far from the truth. The real issue being that most female actors can’t stand each other. “Everyone is jealous of the other, especially if you’ve been doing well in the industry. Genuinely nice actors are few. Radhika Pandit is a close friend of mine. I don’t hang-out with others. Not that I cannot make friends, I just don’t make an effort,” she adds.
Contributed by Mahesh H