I owe my success to the director: Priya Mani

Tamil actress Priya Mani, winner of the National Award for the best actress for her role in Tamil film "Paruthiveeran', owes her success to the director of the movie.

"I owe the success to Amir (the director) as I performed on screen just what he wanted," Priya Mani said.

In the movie, she portrayed `Muthazhagu', the rustic village girl who transforms the ruffian lead character, Paruthiveeran into a mature human being.

"I only did what he asked me to.." Priya Mani, who is currently shooting in Bangalore, said.

"I owe my success to my mentors Bharathirajaa and Balu Mahendra as well as Karthi Sivakumar (who played Paruthiveeran)," she said.

The actress said she would now be more "choosy" about her characters in movies.

After making her debut in Bharathiraaja's "Kangalal Kaithu Sei", Priya Mani followed it up with "Adu Oru Kanakkalam", directed by another famous cinematographer-director, Balu Mahendra.

After a brief hiatus, she was cast by Amir in his 'Paruthiveeran', set in a rural milieu, and earned the praise of critics and audience alike for her fine performance.

A city-bred girl, Priya Mani depicted the award-winning role of Muthazhagu, a girl raised in a rural village of Madurai, with hardly any make-up, performing the role with ease and elan.

She also got the State award for Best Actress for the movie released last year.


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