Actress Priya Mani is back from a vacation in Dubai with her husband and is all set to face the camera again. The Family Man actress says she is excited to join the sets of her upcoming Kannada film, Khaimaraa, along with Priyanka Upendra and Chaya Singh.

“The project was conceived during COVID, but it is taking off only now. When director Gautam VP pitched it to me, I was very excited because my character has a shade of grey. I will also be seen in two different looks in the film. It is a psychological horror-thriller. There is a lot of VFX involved. It is a women-oriented film and all three of us have equally important roles. We are not related in the film, but we end up facing a situation together that will take us on an unknown journey. I am looking forward to joining the team soon,” Priya says.

In addition to her Kannada film, Priya is working on a pan-India web series, also starring Sanjay Suri and Samir Soni. Ashlesha Thakur, who played Priya’s daughter in The Family Man, is reprising the role here. “This is the story of a dysfunctional family, they decide to visit all the Shakthi Peethams across India. How they connect and face their problems and come out of it during their visits to these holy places forms the crux,” she adds.

Commenting about OTT, theatre releases and blurring lines between the two, Priya says, “I have always maintained that digital is the future, if not already. OTT has blurred the lines between North and South, and audience are recognizing talents – both in actors and technicians – and are celebrating them. A lot of actors from the South are being recognized all over India and they are also getting work from other industries. The digital wave is too big to ignore.”

“On the other hand, nothing can come close to the theatre experience. The cinematography, the sound, the entire atmosphere is a different ball game, which cannot be replicated. We work hard so the audience canenjoy a good film on the big screen and go back with the satisfaction of having a great cinematic experience. Discretion is the key.”

Is Priya looking for an opportunity to venture into film production like her peers? “I haven’t really thought about it. I am happy being in front of the camera now,” she concludes.