Priyamani is an Indian film actress and model, who appears mainly in films made in southern India. Priyamani has worked in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages. She is a multi-award winning actress who rose into fame in late 2000s through her performance in movies like Yamadonga, Muththazhagu, Thirakkatha, Chaarulatha.
Childhood, Family, Personal Life
Priyamani was born on Mondy, 4 June 1984 to Vasudeva Mani Iyer (Father) and Latha Mani Iyer (Mother) in Bangalore, Karnataka.
Priyamani childhood photo- with mother Latha iyer & brother Vishakh
Priyamani's father Vasudeva Mani Iyer comes from Palakkad, Kerala, He is belongs to Tamil Iyer community and owns a plantation. Her mother Lathamani is from Thiruvananthapuram, she was national level badminton player in her youth, now works as Bank Manager (Union bank). Lathamani is a Malayali.
Priyamani with mother latha iyer (recent)
She has a brother named Vishakh Iyer, who after studies has entered plantation business along with his Dad. Kamala Kailas, a renowned Carnatic vocalist is her grand mother. Hindi actress Vidya Balan is Priyamani's cousin. Singer Malgudi Subha is her aunt.
Boyfriend & Engagement: Priyamani was seeing Mustafa Raj an event management business professional for quite a while, She met him at Indian Premiere League (IPL) during a match in Bangalore a few years ago. Mustafa Raj & Priyamani Got engaged on 27 May 2016 in a private ceremony.
Priyamani with her fiancee Mustafa Raj
Education:
High School: Sri Aurobindo Memorial School, Banashankari, Bangalore
College: Bishop Cotton Women’s College, J C Road, Bangalore
Graduation: She currently pursuing her B.A in Psychology through non-regular course.
Advertisements & Endorements:
Kancheepuram silks
Erode silks
Lakshmi silks
Film Career
Priyamani's movie "Kangalal Kaithu Sei" a 2004 Tamil Drama directed by Bharathiraja marked her debut int he film industry.
"Pellaina Kothalo" a 2006 Telugu romantic film directed by Madan was her first film in Telugu. The movie had Jagapati Babu in the lead.
With Sathyam, a 2004 Malayalam movie directed by Vinayan starring Prithviraj she entered Malayalam films.
Raam(200), a Romantic comedy movie with Puneeth Rajkumar directed by K.Madesh was her first in the Kannada industry, a rather late entry for a Bangalore girl.
Yamadonga, Malaikottai, Thirakkatha, Rakta Charitra, Raavan are among the films that were either successful commercially or got her the appreciation of the critics.
TV Appearances:
She is a multi-lingual, her fluency in many languages has got her the chance to play host/ judge in many languages, some of her shows are:
2014: D 4 Dance (Malayalam): Aired on Mazhavil Manorama, where she was one of the judges
2015: D2 - D 4 Dance (Malayalam): Aired on Mazhavil Manorama, where she was one of the judges
2015: Dancing Star 2 (Kannada): Aired on ETV Kannada, where she was one of the judges
2016: Kings of dance (Tamil): Aired on Star Vijay, where she was one of the judges
2016: D3 - D 4 Dance (Malayalam): Aired on Mazhavil Manorama, where she was one of the judges
2016: Dancing Star 3 (Kannada): Aired on Colors Kannada, where she was one of the judges
Priyamani was just in her 12th standard when she got offer to act in the Tamil film "Kangalal Kaidhu Sei"
She has a nickname "Pillu"
She grew up playing with Cricket, Hide & seek with Boys all the time as there were no girls of her age in her area.
Priyamani's appearance in "1234 get on the dance floor" song along with SRK in the film "Chennai Express" has made her a familiar face among Hindi movie viewers.
She has been an ambassador supporter of CCL (Celebrity Cricket League)
Vidya Balan is her first cousin, they did not grow up together and are not in otuch as much as their parents are
She is a vocal fighter for the rights & safety of women, she has been very expressive of her opinions on the social media and has been trolled for that.
She wants to do negative roles like that of RamyaKrishna in Padeyappa
Priyamani likes melodies, no matter which language the song is in, if it is good she likes it.
Priyamani started appearing in commercials when she was just in school.
"Manichithrathazhu" is one of her favorite films, she says she must have watched it more than 100 times and would watch it again
Priyamani learnt Tamil at home, Kannada from her living in Bangalore and with friends, Malayalam from her mother and TV, Telugu from working in the industry, Hindi in school.
Priyamani is an Animal Rights campaigner as well, she is associated with PETA, she haa showed concern for the caged Zoo Animals.
She took up modelling to make some pocket money initially
Priyamani is a vegetarian, being born in a vegetarian family she has taken to naturally.
Priyamani is a Hindu & her fiancee Mustafa is a Muslim, she believes Love & religion can be kept separate. She was trolled on social media on revealing her engagement news, both the sets of parents are happy for their children.
She likes wearing casual dresses, Jeans are among her first choices.
She likes "North Indian food" among different cuisines, for desserts she like "Ice creams, chocolates "
Priyamani was not interested in acting, she wanted to do only modelling
Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Morgan Freeman are her favorite actors
Priyamani learnt Malayalam from watching Malayalam movies on TV
I listen to the story not as an actress but as an audience. If the story is interesting to me as an audience then I will take up a role
Kamal and Sridevi are the greatest screen pair in cinema
Acting & Modelling are two poles. In modelling you’ll have to sell the product in thirty seconds or one minute, walking the ramp or showcasing the product, in a movie you will have to sell the movie for 2 and a half hours
When asked how she cries so naturally "I go away to another room, and look deep inside myself, and use my own memories to find some sadness inside me. And then I’m moved to tears"
I was sleeping when my dad woke me up and told me that I had won the national award. I thought he was pulling my leg. I still can’t believe it, really! I am thrilled and delighted.
I would definitely want to do a role in a negative shade
About actor Prthviraj "He's such a natural, and really charming. It’s wonderful working with him."