Priyadarshi interview: Cinema is only a part of my life
Actor Priyadarshi discusses his Telugu film, ‘Court’, and how he straddles comic characters and plays the leading man in offbeat films
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
On a warm summer morning, a film production house in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, buzzes with activity. Posters of director Ram Jagadeesh’s Court line the walls, with actor Priyadarshi Pulikonda as the face of the courtroom drama. From Malleshamand Balagamto the upcoming Sarangapani Jathakam, Priyadarshi has carefully shaped his career since his breakout role as the comedic buddy in Pelli Choopulu (2016). For almost a decade now, he has seamlessly balanced both lighthearted and intense characters.
“The urge to take on diverse roles has always been there,” he admits, crediting Telugu cinema’s evolving landscape and the writers who believed in him for making it possible.
Priyadarshi; a still from ‘Court’
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
He recalls being approached for Yuddham Sharanam(2017), where director Krishna Marimuthu made it clear the story had no space for comedy. “At the time, the norm was that the hero’s friend provided comic relief. I was more than happy to play a serious role.”
Changing landscape
He recalls well-wishers advising him to stick to comedy — the genre that brought him recognition — citing examples of comedians who struggled in other roles. “But I could see cinema evolving. For Terror, Satish Kasetty didn’t see me as a comedian. Then Raj offered Mallesham. I noticed young writers like Tharun Bhascker, Vivek Athreya, and Prasanth Varma getting the backing of producers. Prasanth’s Awe remains unorthodox even today,” he reflects.
Seizing new opportunities, Priyadarshi explored web series and non-theatrical films, with roles in Loser (directed by Abhilash Reddy) and Mail (directed by Uday Gurrala). “All of that led to more interesting work,” he states. “After Mallesham, I couldn’t afford to sit idle for four years waiting for Balagam.”
His roles in mainstream films with popular stars helped him gain visibility in tier-two and rural markets. “The sudden stardom from Jai Lava Kusa, MCA, and Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi exposed more people to my work. The experience of working in big-budget films also honed my craft, allowing me to take on films like Balagam with more confidence.” His growing popularity also meant audiences were more likely to follow him into offbeat projects.
Discussing Court, Priyadarshi says he sensed an authentic voice in debut director Ram Jagadeesh. “Anyone can learn filmmaking from books, the internet, or film school. But what we choose to communicate through our films matters. Ram is from Visakhapatnam; his father is a tailor. He sees the world differently. Initially, he pitched a romance, which didn’t interest me. Then he mentioned a friend wrongly accused of a crime. I suggested researching similar cases to see if a compelling story emerged. Like a diligent journalist, he did extensive research and returned with a solid narrative. We couldn’t afford to make mistakes when addressing the POCSO Act.”
Art imitates life
Priyadarshi likes to travel on his own, backpacking, like he did a year ago trekking in the vicinity of Manali. He is also an avid reader. All this, he agrees, helps declutter his mind from the constant rigours of cinema. “Cinema is only one part of my life. My inspirations come from the real world. If I did not have a friend like Jaikrishna, my portrayal in Court may not have shaped up so well. I draw inspiration from my friends who do different things. One is an IT professional by the day and fixes cars at night; another is a techie who cracks codes to build safer computers. My character in 35 is my tribute to the teachers I hated in school,” says Priyadarshi. The excitement of meeting new people, learning about their cultures and the anonymity that comes with travel, he says, keeps him grounded.
Priyadarshi says Court strives for authenticity in its portrayal of courtrooms, both in production design and dialogue. With help from his lawyer friends, particularly Jaikrishna, he secured permission to visit the Telangana High Court, where he observed lawyers at work. From the precise way to wear the gown to the formal language used when addressing judges, he absorbed every detail. “Professor Chandrashekhar, the High Court registrar, provided me with books to study. During filming, we stayed in constant touch with lawyers to ensure accuracy,” he shares.
Keeping it subtle
Priyadarshi in ‘Court’
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
This summer, Priyadarshi also takes the lead in Sarangapani Jathakam. Director Mohanakrishna Indraganti previously noted that he discovered finer nuances of Priyadarshi’s acting during editing rather than through the camera. When asked about this evolution — given his theatre background — Priyadarshi credits his mentors, NJ Bhikshu and Aruna Bhikshu, for teaching him the distinction between stage and screen performances. “I also owe it to my early directors like Tharun Bhascker, who guided me on when to tone down or amplify a performance. Watching films with audiences in theatres helped me realise there’s no need to overdo anything,” he explains. Of course, exceptions exist — like Save the Tigers, where he played an intentionally loud character.
While working on Court, Priyadarshi was conscious that the young couple’s story — portrayed by Roshan and Sridevi — needed to engage the audience and build empathy before introducing his character, lawyer Surya Teja, at the midpoint.
He also clarifies that while the film features a victim from an underprivileged background, it does not overtly discuss caste. “The POCSO Act applies to everyone, so the director chose not to make caste a defining factor,” he says. Drawing a parallel to Anamika, the Telugu remake of Kahaani, he adds, “Director Sekhar Kammula removed the pregnancy angle to ensure the audience empathised with the protagonist’s situation, rather than just her condition. We attempted something similar here, hoping the audience connects with the boy’s plight on a human level.”
Published – March 12, 2025 03:07 pm IST