Priyanka Karki has been known to live life to her terms. Her firm stand on calling a spade a spade hasn’t gone down too well in an industry known for its flattering zeal. Some controversies made her headline queen. But she’s not complaining. Life has given her so much & she is in a happy space now. She managed to steal the thunder in Suntali, where she played her role to the T. Her performance in Mala has got her rave reviews nationwide. She doesn’t need a coffee date to make her happy -- that’s Priyanka -- a strong woman who has learnt to live sans grudges...
(Jaicinema brings you the real power of this superstar in an interview. )
What is that much-hyped car controversy of yours ??
I think we live in a society where a lot of people judge too soon, & jump to evaluate in the negative manner too soon.. Its like evil wins the good here. I was a victim of that. I live in a country where you have to justify your hows and whereabouts about a car you bought. So when I bought the car (before the devastating earthquake) people just assumed I used charity funding to buy it. Accusations were made without any solid ground, facts or proof.
You've delivered one of the most-talked performances of the year in Suntali, you must be thrilled.
Suntali was like living a dream. It was such a powerful character and it was such a huge challenge too. Suntali is not like me from any aspect. So that required a lot of chatacter analysis, research, workshops and practice. Bhaskar Dhungana helped me mould into that version of me; the Suntali version of me. With constant guidance from Bhaskar dai, my director, I had worked very hard and when the film came out and people appreciated my work, it felt amazing. Felt like Ive done something right. Acting is who I am, its what I do best.. Everytime someone appreciates my effort, the hard work I put in, it is an out of the world feeling. My soul feels content.
Most girls believe you have the perfect life – you’re beautiful, talented and famous. How do you see yourself?
We work in the showbiz, the glamour world and for the outsiders, I'm sure it does look like the 'perfect life'… Well I don't say I have the perfect life, but I am very happy with it. I'm happy with the kind of work Ive done, with all the people I've been working with, my family and friends are really supportive and encouraging. It's my dream job and I'm living it. Every morning I wake up and I feel amazing just knowing that I followed my heart and picked out a career out of pure passion. So yes, Im very happy smile emoticonWork makes me happy. I love my life. I find happiness in little things. It might be a glamd up, doll face image from the outside, but inside Im still a little girl who dreams, who believes in magic and miracles, who loves Disney, and who constantly works hards towards achieving more goals .
Have the pressures of stardom ever got to you?
I don’t know if that feeling is of pressure, but whatever little I have achieved always keeps me on my toes. Stardom is such a big word, I don’t know yet if I have attained stardom, but yes this unquenched thirst and love of my craft makes me want to thrive for more. Every morning I wake up, I always have it clear in my head, I tell myself I am here for the passion and immense respect for the industry, I pull my socks up, and I am good to go. Also, if I ever tend to have airs about myself, my friends and family are there to yank me down right away.
When was the last time you felt insecure as an actress?
Okay, I don’t know how to exactly put it, but truth be told, I have never felt insecure as an actor. Of course, there’s a feeling of competition in me, but it’s always been a healthy one. I have made it a point till now to call and praise my contemporaries after they win an award or if I love their performances in movies. I do that. And I have this habit of expecting a pat on my back too, and it hurts when I don’t. That’s still alright. What hurts me more or say what makes me insecure is the fact that there are so many people in the industry who are not here because of their love for the art & craft, but for easy money, recognition and just because they failed in other areas of life. According to me, it is unethical. Let me make it clear once and for all, being in the movies is just as difficult as being a doctor or engineer, or even more. It takes education, a lot of patience, perseverance, confidence and strength. If you think otherwise, then there’s no place for you here. What you give is what you get!
After you have yourself seen a failed marriage, how has your perception towards institution of marriage changed over the years?
We are just humans, if we can fall in love, we are allowed to fall out of love as well. Having said that, my belief in love is still intact. The little things still matter to me. Nothing major has changed, really. My previous relationship has taught me a number of things, and I am sure to pay heed to that when I fall in love next, and when I am ready take another big step in my life. At the end of it, I still came out of it smelling like roses. No regrets, remorse, grudges or judgment. I am grateful instead.
Today, is there anything you really wish you were better at?
Everything. Hmmm.. everyday is a new day, and everyday has so much to offer, and you could learn so many things simply by observing. You could say I am taking baby steps in terms of being a better person. Be it my personal life or professional life, I try to keep myself updated with the nitty-gritties. I am currently doing this thing which requires me to smile straight for 5 minutes as soon as I wake up. If you do this, you will feel amazing all day long. You will smile continuously. Also, it’s a simple way of telling the universe that you are grateful for all that it has given to you. I do this religiously, you should too.
Three things we don’t know about you.
Flying on a plane gives me major anxiety pangs. Learning to beat flying anxiety. - My tolerance level is really high, so it takes an excessive amount of idiocy for me to lose my cool. - Irrational fear of leeches. I have fainted a couple of times while I found them stuck on my feet while shooting.
Why are you so excessively controversial?
Haha, you tell me. Maybe I make good copies. Jokes apart, I haven’t the faintest idea to this. It takes me by surprise whenever I am written off for things that I haven’t done, or don’t want to be associated to. I am always up for constructive criticism, but to attack someone on a personal level is just so grotesque. It’s not even real journalism. Making a mountain out of a molehill has been a trend here. And the rest of them are sheep. They circulate the false news like they mean harm to me. Most of them don’t even bother to call and ask, or find out the actual truth. I am a true believer of media’s colossal power to change a person’s life. Why not change somebody’s life for better? Why not make it a win-win situation for both the parties? Let’s not forget the ABCDE (Accuracy, Balance, Credibility, Decency, and Ethics) of journalism. Guys, let’s inspire each other. We can bring a revolution together.
If you had date issues and had to pick one filmmaker from Nigam Shrestha, Nischal Basnet or Bhaskar Dhungana, who would it be?
Bhaskar Dhungana any given day. To me, Suntali was an experience which was beyond beautiful, more than amazing. Mr. Dhungana trusted me with his debut magnum opus, and I was Suntali. More than me having the titular role, the fact that he had complete faith in me to do justice to his character made me feel kind of accomplished as an actor. It motivated me. He is someone I have massive admiration in the industry, he understands films. He and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to the love and respect we have for what we do. I can work with him for the rest of my life and never tire of it. Having said this, I have never worked with both Nishcal and Nigam. I am sure it would be a beautiful experience with them as well. I am so proud of their talents and sense of movies. Kudos!
(Jaicinema brings you the real power of this superstar in an interview. )
What is that much-hyped car controversy of yours ??
I think we live in a society where a lot of people judge too soon, & jump to evaluate in the negative manner too soon.. Its like evil wins the good here. I was a victim of that. I live in a country where you have to justify your hows and whereabouts about a car you bought. So when I bought the car (before the devastating earthquake) people just assumed I used charity funding to buy it. Accusations were made without any solid ground, facts or proof.
You've delivered one of the most-talked performances of the year in Suntali, you must be thrilled.
Suntali was like living a dream. It was such a powerful character and it was such a huge challenge too. Suntali is not like me from any aspect. So that required a lot of chatacter analysis, research, workshops and practice. Bhaskar Dhungana helped me mould into that version of me; the Suntali version of me. With constant guidance from Bhaskar dai, my director, I had worked very hard and when the film came out and people appreciated my work, it felt amazing. Felt like Ive done something right. Acting is who I am, its what I do best.. Everytime someone appreciates my effort, the hard work I put in, it is an out of the world feeling. My soul feels content.
We work in the showbiz, the glamour world and for the outsiders, I'm sure it does look like the 'perfect life'… Well I don't say I have the perfect life, but I am very happy with it. I'm happy with the kind of work Ive done, with all the people I've been working with, my family and friends are really supportive and encouraging. It's my dream job and I'm living it. Every morning I wake up and I feel amazing just knowing that I followed my heart and picked out a career out of pure passion. So yes, Im very happy smile emoticonWork makes me happy. I love my life. I find happiness in little things. It might be a glamd up, doll face image from the outside, but inside Im still a little girl who dreams, who believes in magic and miracles, who loves Disney, and who constantly works hards towards achieving more goals .
Have the pressures of stardom ever got to you?
I don’t know if that feeling is of pressure, but whatever little I have achieved always keeps me on my toes. Stardom is such a big word, I don’t know yet if I have attained stardom, but yes this unquenched thirst and love of my craft makes me want to thrive for more. Every morning I wake up, I always have it clear in my head, I tell myself I am here for the passion and immense respect for the industry, I pull my socks up, and I am good to go. Also, if I ever tend to have airs about myself, my friends and family are there to yank me down right away.
When was the last time you felt insecure as an actress?
Okay, I don’t know how to exactly put it, but truth be told, I have never felt insecure as an actor. Of course, there’s a feeling of competition in me, but it’s always been a healthy one. I have made it a point till now to call and praise my contemporaries after they win an award or if I love their performances in movies. I do that. And I have this habit of expecting a pat on my back too, and it hurts when I don’t. That’s still alright. What hurts me more or say what makes me insecure is the fact that there are so many people in the industry who are not here because of their love for the art & craft, but for easy money, recognition and just because they failed in other areas of life. According to me, it is unethical. Let me make it clear once and for all, being in the movies is just as difficult as being a doctor or engineer, or even more. It takes education, a lot of patience, perseverance, confidence and strength. If you think otherwise, then there’s no place for you here. What you give is what you get!
After you have yourself seen a failed marriage, how has your perception towards institution of marriage changed over the years?
We are just humans, if we can fall in love, we are allowed to fall out of love as well. Having said that, my belief in love is still intact. The little things still matter to me. Nothing major has changed, really. My previous relationship has taught me a number of things, and I am sure to pay heed to that when I fall in love next, and when I am ready take another big step in my life. At the end of it, I still came out of it smelling like roses. No regrets, remorse, grudges or judgment. I am grateful instead.
Everything. Hmmm.. everyday is a new day, and everyday has so much to offer, and you could learn so many things simply by observing. You could say I am taking baby steps in terms of being a better person. Be it my personal life or professional life, I try to keep myself updated with the nitty-gritties. I am currently doing this thing which requires me to smile straight for 5 minutes as soon as I wake up. If you do this, you will feel amazing all day long. You will smile continuously. Also, it’s a simple way of telling the universe that you are grateful for all that it has given to you. I do this religiously, you should too.
Three things we don’t know about you.
Flying on a plane gives me major anxiety pangs. Learning to beat flying anxiety. - My tolerance level is really high, so it takes an excessive amount of idiocy for me to lose my cool. - Irrational fear of leeches. I have fainted a couple of times while I found them stuck on my feet while shooting.
Why are you so excessively controversial?
Haha, you tell me. Maybe I make good copies. Jokes apart, I haven’t the faintest idea to this. It takes me by surprise whenever I am written off for things that I haven’t done, or don’t want to be associated to. I am always up for constructive criticism, but to attack someone on a personal level is just so grotesque. It’s not even real journalism. Making a mountain out of a molehill has been a trend here. And the rest of them are sheep. They circulate the false news like they mean harm to me. Most of them don’t even bother to call and ask, or find out the actual truth. I am a true believer of media’s colossal power to change a person’s life. Why not change somebody’s life for better? Why not make it a win-win situation for both the parties? Let’s not forget the ABCDE (Accuracy, Balance, Credibility, Decency, and Ethics) of journalism. Guys, let’s inspire each other. We can bring a revolution together.
If you had date issues and had to pick one filmmaker from Nigam Shrestha, Nischal Basnet or Bhaskar Dhungana, who would it be?
Bhaskar Dhungana any given day. To me, Suntali was an experience which was beyond beautiful, more than amazing. Mr. Dhungana trusted me with his debut magnum opus, and I was Suntali. More than me having the titular role, the fact that he had complete faith in me to do justice to his character made me feel kind of accomplished as an actor. It motivated me. He is someone I have massive admiration in the industry, he understands films. He and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to the love and respect we have for what we do. I can work with him for the rest of my life and never tire of it. Having said this, I have never worked with both Nishcal and Nigam. I am sure it would be a beautiful experience with them as well. I am so proud of their talents and sense of movies. Kudos!
