C V Aravind writes how the National Award for Priyamani , for her sensitive portrayal of a village belle in Paruthi Veeran, is duly justified.



Decades back when ace director Bharathiraaja cast an urbane, sophisticated danseuse named Asha Kelunni in a film called Mann Vasanai (The scent of the soil) in the role of a village belle, many thought that the director had made a cardinal error. Mann Vasanai clicked in a big way and Asha aka Revathi went on to conquer a million hearts and carve her niche in South Indian cinema. The same sentiment was expressed when director Amir, fresh from the success of his offbeat film Ram , signed the city-bred actress Priyamani to play a simple village girl Muthazhagu in his film Paruthi Veeran, which was to be a launch pad for actor Surya’s kid brother Kaarthi.

Priyamani proved him right and the sceptics wrong by bagging, first the Tamilnadu State Award, then an Asian Award and finally the coveted National Award for Best Actress for her sensitive portrayal of Muthazhagu who transforms a local tough and a no gooder (played to perfection by Kaarthi) into a decent and mature human being.

For a star who was a part of the glamour circuit, playing Muthazhagu was a tall order. And as a gleeful Priya herself admits, she was raw clay in the hands of a skillful potter. Amir knew exactly what he wanted from his heroine and she had just to toe the line. The film had its share of duets and romance but the leading lady had no make up, no finery and for good measure, her skin too was made a shade darker.

While Priyamani’s mother had reservations about the role for it could affect her daughter’s image, the star loved the script and the way her role has shaped up. The rest of course is history and Priyamani has become the fifth Tamil actress to win the National Award adding her name to the illustrious list that includes Lakshmi (Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal), the late Shobha (Pasi), Suhasini ( Sindhu Bhairavi) and Archana (Veedu).
Paruthi Veeran had a number of scenes where the heroine had to exhibit her histrionic prowess and it is to the credit of this actress who has just done a handful of films that she vindicated the director’s faith in her.

Priyamani coming good might not come as a surprise to those who have followed her career for she made her debut under no less a person than Bharathiraaja whose film Kangalal Kaithu Sei which, however, did not do well at the box office. The same was the fate of her film with cinematographer-director Balu Mahendra’s Adhu Oru Kanaa Kalam but the actress could pick up useful tips from both these established directors.

Priyamani has done a few glamourous roles – two films with Malayalam heartthrob Prithviraj and one in Tamil, a remake of the Malayalam mega hit Classmates She will also be seen in another Tamil film with Jeevan, an upcoming hero in Tamil cinema and a Telugu film with Nitin Priya has also worked with leading Telugu stars like Jagapathi Babu and Junior NTR

Priyamani has never been known to be low on confidence but this National Award will certainly come as a shot in the arm for her. Way to go, Priya!