Priya Anand

In this Indian name, the name Anand is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Priya.

Priya Anand
Priya at Fukrey Jugaadu event
Born (1986-09-17) 17 September 1986 (age 38)
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active2009–present

Priya Anand (born 17 September 1986) is an Indian actress and model who predominantly appears in Tamil films. She has also appeared in a few Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam films.

After pursuing higher studies in the US, she began a career in modelling in 2008 before making her acting debut in the Tamil film Vaamanan (2009) and then her Telugu debut in Leader a year later.[1][2] She made her Hindi debut in 2012 with a supporting role in English Vinglish and subsequently appeared in the films Fukrey (2013) and Rangrezz (2013).

Early life

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Priya Anand was born on 17 September 1986 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.[3][4] She is the only child to a Tamil mother and a half-Telugu, half-Marathi father.[5] She was brought up in both her parents' hometowns, Chennai and Hyderabad, becoming fluent in Tamil and Telugu.[6] Besides native languages, Priya is proficient in English,[7] Bengali, Hindi, Marathi and Spanish as well.[6]

Priya became fascinated with films, developing an interest in cinema, since childhood, and noted that she has been dreaming of getting into the film industry and working on technical aspects of film making, but confesses she never thought of becoming an actor.[6][7] She moved to the US, where she pursued her higher studies.[7] Keeping her later career in mind, she studied communications and journalism at SUNY Albany.[6] In 2008, she returned to India and ventured into modeling, appearing in various television advertisements like Nutrine Maha Lacto, Prince Jewellery and Cadbury Dairy Milk.[6]

Career

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Priya at Kootathil Oruthan movie screening

2009–2011: Early work in Tamil and Telugu cinema

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Priya was initially supposed to make her acting debut in the Tamil film Pugaippadam, which she signed up first, but since its release was delayed until 2010, her first release became the action-thriller Vaamanan, directed by newcomer Ahmed. She was signed for the project in late 2008 to portray Divya, a simple girl next-door, whom the male lead character, played by Jai, would fall in love with. The film created some anticipation before its release, mainly due to its hit music by Yuvan Shankar Raja, which enabled a big opening,[8][9] with the song "Aedho Saigirai", which was picturised on her, being considered as her "claim-to-fame" that made her popular among Tamil audience, and being dubbed as a "Priya song".[10][11] However the film got a lukewarm reception and fared only averagely at the Chennai box office.

In 2010, three of her films released within a short span of time, the first on New Year 2010, which was the college-life based drama Pugaippadam, a film revolving around the friendship between seven students. Priya enacted the character of one of the student roles, a Malayali Christian named Shiney George.[12] The film opened to mixed reviews and proved to be commercially unsuccessful. She next starred in her first Telugu film, AVM Productions' Sekhar Kammula directed political drama Leader, alongside newcomers Rana Daggubati and Richa Gangopadhyay. She recalls that an assistant director of Kammula had found her on Facebook and invited her and how she had to audition thrice for the film to prove herself and eventually got the offer.[6][7] She played Ratna Prabha, a television channel reporter and friend to a young man, who would later go on to become a political leader. Although her screen presence in the film was very limited, her performance garnered overwhelming response and was well received,[2][13] while the film itself earned positive reviews and became a critical success.[6] The Dil Raju-produced family entertainer Rama Rama Krishna Krishna was her last 2010 release, in which she plays the love interest of the film's male protagonist. She next starred in 180, a bilingual Tamil-Telugu project by ad filmmaker Jayendra, which was her only release in 2011.[14]

2012–2015: Debut in Hindi and breakthrough in Tamil cinema

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She has made her debut Hindi film English Vinglish (2012), produced by R Balki,[15] in which she had shared screen with Sridevi, who Priya admires and considers her idol. Priya said: "I signed this film just to be up and close to an artist who has influenced me and to be part of something that was so important to her. I'm doing this movie as her fan and I'm fortunate enough to play a very important part in her journey in the film".[16] She acted in Telugu romance movie, Ko Antey Koti (2012). Her Hindi films in 2013 were Rangrezz and Fukrey. In Tamil, she played the lead role in Ethir Neechal (2013) alongside Sivakarthikeyan and Nandita Swetha. The film is a box-office winner.[17] She was also seen in the comedy Vanakkam Chennai (2013).

She acted simultaneously for four Tamil films; Arima Nambi (2014) features Vikram Prabhu, Irumbu Kuthirai (2014) stars Atharvaa, with Vimal in Oru Oorla Rendu Raja (2014) and Vai Raja Vai (2015) features her opposite Gautham Karthik.[18][19] Priya Anand has shot for a special cameo in G. V. Prakash Kumar’s Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) which is being directed by newcomer Adhik Ravichandran.[20]

2017–present

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Priya Anand debuted in Malayalam with the Prithviraj starrer horror thriller Ezra (2017).[21] The next was a Tamil movie, Muthuramalingam (2017). However this movie was a failure.[22] Priya Anand made her Kannada debut with the much-hyped Raajakumara (2017) and added a new dimension to her career. Her next projects were followed by comedies in Tamil with Kootathil Oruthan (2017) and Hindi with Fukrey Returns (2017). Priya Anand's long time desire to work in a period film highly anticipated Malayalam release Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018), which stars Nivin Pauly. Priya's character played a pivotal role in the life of Kochunni.[23] Priya, who won over the Kannada cinema audience right in her first film, has worked with Ganesh in Orange (2018).[24] She appeared in the Malayalam Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel (2019) starring Dileep.[25] She then played in the political satire Tamil film LKG (2019).[26] She was seen in Dhruv Vikram’s debut, Adithya Varma (2019), in a supporting role. Priya Anand to reunite opposite Puneeth Rajkumar again in James (2022).[27] After being postponed multiple times, director R. Kannan’s Kasethan Kadavulada (2023) was released, with the remake of the 1972 film of the same name.[28] She also joined the cast of Leo (2023) directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Her next movie in the Kannada was Yogaraj Bhat’s Karataka Damanaka (2024).[29] She has worked with stars like Prashanth and Simran in Andhagan (2024).[30]

Social work

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On 20 June 2011, Priya became an ambassador for the Save the Children campaign for both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.[31]

Filmography

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Film

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List of Priya Anand film credits
Year Title Role Language Notes
2009 Vaamanan Divya Tamil
2010 Pugaippadam Shiney George
Leader Ratna Prabha Telugu
Rama Rama Krishna Krishna Priya
2011 180 Renuka Narayanan Bilingual film
Nootrenbadhu Tamil
2012 English Vinglish Radha Hindi Nominated—Zee Cine Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated—Star Guild Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Ko Antey Koti Sathya Telugu
2013 Rangrezz Megha Joshi Hindi
Fukrey Priya
Ethir Neechal Geetha Tamil
Vanakkam Chennai Anjali Rajamohan
2014 Arima Nambi Anaamika Raghunath
Irumbu Kuthirai Samyuktha Ramakrishnan
Oru Oorla Rendu Raja Priya
2015 Vai Raja Vai Priya
Trisha Illana Nayanthara Train passenger Cameo
2017 Ezra Priya Malayalam
Muthuramalingam Viji Tamil
Raajakumara Nandini Kannada
Kootathil Oruthan Janani Tamil
Fukrey Returns Priya Hindi
2018 Kayamkulam Kochunni Janaki Malayalam
Orange Radha Kannada
2019 Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel Teena Shankar Malayalam
LKG Sarala Munusamy (Sara M. Samy) Tamil
Adithya Varma Priya Menen
2022 James Nisha Gayakwad Kannada
2023 Kasethan Kadavulada Shakthi Tamil
Leo Priya Joshy Andrews
2024 Karataka Damanaka Kusuma Kannada
Andhagan Julie Tamil
Sumo † TBA Delayed
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

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List of Priya Anand television credits
Year Title Role Language Network Ref.
2020 A Simple Murder Richa Hindi SonyLIV [32]
[33]
2021 Maya Maya Tamil Ondraga [34]
2022 Maa Neella Tank Surekha Telugu ZEE5 [35]
2024 The Mystery of Moksha Island Jhansi Disney+Hotstar

References

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  1. ^ "From Mayavaram to the movies". The Hindu. 8 September 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Prakash, BVS (19 April 2010). "T-town's lucky debutants". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Fans trend 'HBD Priya Anand' to celebrate Adithya Varma star's 34th birthday". Zoom Entertainment. 17 September 2020. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Priya Anand: A Simple Murder got me excited about life and work again". The Indian Express. 26 November 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  5. ^ Priya Anand (1 June 2010). Interview With Priya Anand, Of Leader, Rama Rama Krishna Krishna Fame (Part 1). Cinegoer Productions. Event occurs at 0:08. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Interview with Priya Anand". Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  7. ^ a b c d Rajamani, Radhika (5 February 2010). "I had to audition thrice for Leader". Rediff. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  8. ^ Moviebuzz (24 June 2009). "Vaamanan to release on July 3". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  9. ^ Moviebuzz (9 July 2009). "Will it be Jai Ho this Friday?". Sify. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  10. ^ "I'm single: Priya Anand". The Times of India. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Priya Anand: Little Miss Sunshine". The Times of India. 10 October 2010. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  12. ^ Manikandan, K R (5 January 2010). "For friendship's sake". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  13. ^ Rajamani, Radhika (5 February 2010). "Many thought my acting as Ratna was natural". Rediff. Archived from the original on 15 May 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  14. ^ Suganth, M (12 May 2010). "Changing focus". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  15. ^ "Priya completes shoot for English Vinglish". The Times of India. 20 November 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Priya Anand: Working with her idol". The Times of India. 19 November 2011. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012.
  17. ^ "Review: Ethir Neechal is an absolute delight". Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Vikram Prabhu signs his next flick!". The Times of India. 15 May 2013. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Priya Anand pairs opposite Gautam Karthik". The Times of India. 15 May 2013. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Priya Anand's special cameo in 'Trisha Illana Nayanthara'". Sify. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016.
  21. ^ "Guess what is special about Priya Anand's name in Ezra!". The Times of India. 11 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Muthuramalingam Movie Review {1.5/5}: Critic Review of Muthuramalingam by Times of India", The Times of India, retrieved 28 November 2021
  23. ^ "Priya Anand on Kayamkulam Kochunni: Audience will be transported into a never-seen-before world". 18 October 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Priya Anand to reunite opposite Puneeth Rajkumar again in James". 15 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  25. ^ "Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel Review: Dileep and a few good laughs keep this afloat". Cinema Express. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  26. ^ "'LKG' movie review: Some clever writing in this satire on meme culture and politics". 22 February 2019.
  27. ^ "Priya Anand to reunite opposite Puneeth Rajkumar again in James". The New Indian Express. 15 October 2020. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Kasethan Kadavulada Movie Review: Very few laughs in this rather disappointing remake of a 70s classic". Cinema Express. 28 May 2023.
  29. ^ "'My role in Karataka Damanaka is unlike anything I've done before': Priya Anand". 29 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Andhagan actor Priya Anand: 'I don't allow the pressure of staying relevant get to me'". 11 August 2024.
  31. ^ Actor Priya Anand announces support for Save the Children Archived 1 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Savethechildren.in. 20 June. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  32. ^ "Priya Anand: A Simple Murder got me excited about life and work again". The Indian Express. 26 November 2020. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  33. ^ Janani K (1 August 2020). "Priya Anand is back to work, to make her digital debut with Simple Murder - Television News". India Today. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  34. ^ "Ani IV Sasi's short film 'Maya', about a writer's inspiration, releases June 11". theHindu.com. 8 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  35. ^ "Maa Neella Tank : పూజా హెగ్డే చేతులు మీదుగా సుశాంత్ 'మా నీళ్ల ట్యాంక్' ట్రైలర్‌ విడుదల.. జూలై 15 నుంచి స్ట్రీమింగ్." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
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