Priyamani Advocates Ending the ‘Pan-India Actor’ Label for Unity

Priyamani, a versatile actress known for her roles in both regional and Hindi cinema, shared her thoughts on the increasingly popular term “pan-India actor”. She questioned the necessity of this label, stating, “I think we should stop using the term pan-India. We’re all Indian at the end of the day.” Priyamani elaborated that actors moving between industries should not need additional tagging to validate their work.

At 41, Priyamani pointed out that filmmakers and stars like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have worked across different languages for years without needing the “pan-India” designation. “It doesn’t matter which language we work in — accept us for who we are and for the characters we play,” she remarked.

On Audience Reactions

Talking about viewer sentiments, Priyamani observed that audiences have become more reactive in recent years. “People have become oversensitive. It’s okay to have opinions, but don’t overanalyze or try to influence others,” she explained. According to her, films should be appreciated for the hard work involved in their creation, regardless of personal opinions.

She continued, “When you watch a film, see it for what it is. It might work for you or it might not, and that’s perfectly fine. Everyone has different tastes.”

The Impact of Social Media

Reflecting on the role of technology and social media, Priyamani noted that while it allows for varied opinions, it can also have downsides. “You’re more than welcome to your opinion,” she stated, “but don’t try to influence other people’s opinions. At the end of the day, a lot of people have worked hard to bring a project to life.”

Life Off-Screen

In her personal life, Priyamani, who portrays Suchi in ‘The Family Man’, shared insights into her relationship with her husband, Mustafa Raj. “With him, it’s easy. We always discuss work; every project that comes my way, we talk about it,” she said, emphasizing their collaborative approach to her career decisions.

She added with a smile, “Sometimes we disagree, but we usually reach a mutual agreement that works in my favor. He’s the sweetest man and listens to all my thoughts.”