Bollywood Has Always Been The Ultimate Dream For Me - Priyanka Dey
– By Farhad Dalal
Actor Priyanka Dey indulges in a casual chat with Farhad Dalal from Popcorn reviewss on her journey as an artist, her ambitions and her goals ahead.
It has been almost a decade for you in the industry as an actor. How would you look back at your journey?
Journey was not easy for me. This is because, being from a non-filmy background, my parents were very scared in the beginning. But now when I look at my own journey I feel proud of myself.
How did you choose to take up acting as a profession?
Acting was my childhood dream. I always wanted to be an actress. I always wanted to be a star. I don’t know why but the wordfame has always attracted me since my childhood.
You were a part of about 40 ads in Bengali before making the switch to the silverscreen. How easy or difficult was that switch that saw you being a part of two Multiple Award winning Bengali films?
Everyone knows that acting is the hardest profession in the world. So nothing was easy. I did a theatre workshop for quite a while . I have done many short films, so this is how I was suggested for Bengali movies as well as in South Indian movies.
Do you remember the first day on a film set? How was that like?
I remember the first day I was on the film set . Opposite me, there were great actors like Kaushik Sen and Shantilal Mukherji . So every time I looked at them, I was forgetting the dialogue. Then I just closed my eyes for a while and remembered the words of Shahrukh Khan – Think everyday as if it were the last day of your life and give it your best.
After working in the Bengali film industry, you also transitioned to the Telugu film industry. What was that transition like even with respect to the 'new' language? How easy or difficult was the transition?
The transition wasn’t easy, it was difficult. But when people from other languages help you , the journey becomes a little more comfortable for you.
What is your tryst with the Hindi Film Industry? Is there a plan to feature in a Hindi film?
Bollywood has always been the ultimate dream for me. Of course I want to see myself as an actress in Hindi films as I have grown up on them.
If there was this one character that you would absolutely want to play from the past Hindi films, then which one would that be?
No doubt that will be Priyanka Chopra’s character from the movie Fashion and Barfi.
What Hindi directors are a part of your wishlist?
There are many , Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Basu, Imtiaz Ali, Rajkumar Hirani, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gauri Shinde to name a few.
What is your current preparation as an actor?
I do facial exercises everyday while also seeing and observing different types of characters. I also practise lines of different characters at home while recording it, that helps me analyze my craft.
What are the insecurities or vulnerabilities which you have faced as an actor and how do you keep yourself motivated when things don't go your way?
Everyone knows that acting is a very insecure profession. I have work today, I may not have work tomorrow. But I always keep myself positive and happy . I always think God has given me a lot. So I think it is better to work through the phases when I am feeling down. I started from zero, so whatever I have done today has been due to my confidence and my want to succeed. I will continue to do more work in the future, touchwood.
Are there any other films or shows lined up across languages which we should be looking forward to?
There are several talks going on. I hope I am able to share some good news very soon.
