Quotes from Padmapriya Janakiraman

Usually people are apprehensive about facing the camera for the first time. But for me, it was the most natural thing.

The reason why I returned to dance is simply because I love dance. I had also promised myself that I wanted to make more sense of dance, study and understand it far more in detail.

In every film, I sport a different look for each character. It's almost as if my features change to accommodate the characters.

There is a certain fictional element that goes in playing a common person.

The state of Kerala and Malayalam film industry has been like a home to me ever since I started my career as an actress.

When the women in any other film industry are almost equal to men, in Malayalam only one or two women are among the crew.

I've never been linked to a co-star or director, never had drunken stupors or been disrespectful of a producer's position. I don't have parents intruding in filmmaking affairs and so on. I'm a professional and like to look at myself that way.

Malayalam actress Ann Augustine, director V K Prakash, writer Jayaprakah Kulur and I have planned to produce quality dramas and to take it to a wide range of audience. We are making some popular works into stage plays.

No one can insist me to wear skimpy costumes and to act in steamy scenes just for the sake of pulling more audience to cinema halls.

Apart from being an actor, I'm an academician. I wanted to pursue something with which I could bring about a change in society.

I hate flashy metrosexual men. I prefer a rustic man who will make a long-time companion.

I'm an army kid with floating feet.

To create a new resume of films and expressions is the only focal point for 2014 for me.

I am comfortable doing glamorous roles and have no qualms going nude if the character demands it.

Tamil has given me an experience that's extremely rich from Vishnu's Pattiyal' to Chimbudevan's Irrumbakottai,' to even a small significant role in Ram's Thangameengal.'

I have been part of films like Rajamanikyam' and Seniors,' which had genuine comedy and I am comfortable with the genre.

I do want to get into the government and work for finance management divisions and policy management, but they are all long-term dreams and I don't know when I'll decide to go for it.

I am not a good actor. There is much more to do and learn.

I want to be the Guru Dutt of the world.

Shwetha Menon is my good friend and I have nothing against her. But, the Kerala State Award for the Best Actress has been given to her for Paleri Manickam' in which somebody else dubbed for her. I received only the second best actress award for my performance in Pazhassi Raja,' where I have dubbed in my own voice.

I am super lucky to have a resume which has all kinds of filmmakers and films and hence experiences as a person and actress for me.

If I had my way, I would have started my career with Hindi films.

Lack of dignity and equal opportunity at workplace for women in cinema is a truth that needs role reversal.

Language is not a barrier, specially Hindi. It is the only language I read, write and speak in and so it is far easier than South Indian languages.