“A photograph shouldn't be just a picture, it should be a philosophy,” goes an adage and true to that, actor Prayaga gives out myriad expressions when asked to pose for the camera.
Just 18, the newest actor from Kochi, Prayaga Rose Martin's confesses she has been at ease with the camera right from the time she was a child, when she did baby commercials and then print ads. As her first film in Tamil Pisasu is set to release in mid-December, Prayaga says she has always been inclined to art and stepping into the movie industry was an obvious and a natural progression. She explains, “I always wanted to do something that would make me stand out for my work. Whatever I do should carry my own signature and I would do it within the limits I have set for myself. Thanks to my parents who brought me up to respect others and follow an ethical life. I have traditional values though I am a today's woman, I represent my family and culture wherever I go.”
Her name Prayaga itself sounds lyrical; after all it is a confluence of rivers and the actor reveals, “It was mom's thought, she had decided my name even before I was born. Prayaga is a river of love and the former name of Allahabad city.”
Recollecting her debut in films she says, “I didn't expect it to happen this soon. I was called for commercials even as a baby and got into modelling projects as I grew up, but I took a break for studies. I was an active participant in extra curricular activities at school.”
The family is not unfamiliar with the film industry. Prayaga's grandfather was a producer and made many Malayalam movies but no one else in her family took to films after that. Her father attributes her acting career to her genes but the young actor thinks otherwise. She adds, “My family is into construction business. Yes sometimes I am reminded this career has been planned for me but I don't think so. I do wish my granddad was here to see me on screen, but I have been inspired by so many people in the industry. There is something positive about every single human being I meet; you just have to see them talk and imbibe the good. At the moment in the showbiz it is director Mysskin whose film Pisasu I have worked in, I owe everything to him.”
When she got a call from director Mysskin as soon as she completed her Std. XII exam, she was taken by surprise. It was an offer that none could refuse. She adds, “I never thought he would select me, he did a photo shoot in the morning and by noon he shook my hands and said I was the heroine of his film. All I had to show him was my face and my modelling assignments! I didn't even train as an actor so there was this initial trepidation. My mom has been a classical dancer, she knew Bharatanatyam, Mohinattam and Kuchipudi and got me trained from the age of five. I have learnt classical but now I concentrate on Mohinattam..it will definitely help me in abhinaya .”
About her film she says, “ Pisasu belongs to the horror genre, but it has a beautiful love story. I play the title role. I can't say it was a easy project...it was tough for a newcomer, it required me to undergo rope hanging scenes and some tiring work but I enjoyed doing it, there was this support system, the team that took care of me..all that got the best from me.”
