Exclusive! My comeback to Tamil films had to be meaningful and Naan Mirugamaai Maara is just that: Hariprriya

Only days ago, actress Hariprriya fulfilled a long-standing desire and got her nose pierced. The wound is still healing and she’s still in a bit of pain, but that’s no deterrent when duty calls. When we spoke to Hariprriya this morning, she was on her way to the airport. “I am flying to Chennai for the pre-release event of my Tamil film Naan Mirugamaai Maara, which will be in theatres on November 18. This is my first Tamil theatrical release in almost a decade,” says the actress excitedly about the Sathya Shivaa directorial, in which she is paired with M Sasikumar.

Hariprriya says that although she had been getting offers from Kollywood frequently, in the last few years, she had the privilege of doing quality content in Kannada cinema, which left her with barely any time to explore opportunities elsewhere. “Having said that, I must admit that I kept doing the occasional Telugu film whenever my schedule allowed, but I was not work out a similar routine with Tamil cinema. Until the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, I was working continuously without break. I have done decent movies in Tamil earlier and was looking for something fresh. Also, my focus is on doing good films that offer me varied roles, which are backed by teams that mean business. Everything matters – right from the script, to the technical team and director. Naan Mirugamaai Maara fit all the criteria perfectly and that’s how I became a part of it,” she says, explaining. “This is my second film with the production house, while Sathya Shivaa is remaking Bell Bottom in Tamil. In fact, he’d seen my performance in Bell Bottom and cast me in this film with Sasikumar.”

In the film, which Hariprriya shot for last year, she plays a traditional homemaker. “The narrative of the film follows a common man (Sasikumar) and the lengths to which he goes to protect his family. The film highlights just how difficult it can get for such people to fight for the safety of their near-and-dear ones. I play his wife, Anandi, who provides him the moral and emotional support in this struggle to keep his family together,” explains the actress.

Meanwhile, back home, Hariprriya is awaiting the release of Thayi Kastoor Gandhi, in which she plays Gandhiji’s wife Kasturba. Actor Kishore is paired with her as Gandhi. “The makers are still deliberating whether to bring the film to theatres or opt for a direct-to-OTT release. But it should be available to audiences soon,” she says, adding that there’s also the much-delayed Happy Ending with Gurunandan, which is yet to release.

“I have recently finished the Kannada remake of Evaru, with Diganth and Vasishta N Simha and am yet to complete Lagaam with Upendra. The film is about half done, but Upendra is currently busy with the promotions of Kabzaa and the his own directorial, UI. Now that director Jayathirtha is done with the release of Banaras and Rishab Shetty is also winding up the post-release promotions of Kantara, Bell Bottom 2 should go on floors soon,” she says, adding, on a parting note that given how hectic her schedule was prior to the pandemic, she has decided to cut back on work and take a break for now. "I am not even listening to new scripts," she signs off.