Being on the set of Imtiaz Ali's film was like a dream come true for me, says Pranati Rai Prakash

Actress Pranati Rai Prakash, who made an everlasting impression with her acting prowess in the Alt Balaji’s web series ‘Cartel’, made her debut in south film industry with a music video 'O Dollar Pillagaa’ alongside Vishwak Sen in the recently released film ‘Das Ka Dhamki’. She spoke exclusively to OTTplay about her career path, future plans and much more.

Hi Pranati! You had collaborated with Vishwak Sen for the hit Telugu song ‘O Dollar Pillagaa’. How did this opportunity come about and what it was like working on a music project?
The opportunity to collaborate on the Telugu song ‘O Dollar Pillagaa’ came about when I was approached by the team. Given that the South Indian industry was new territory for me, I did some research on the team and sought advice from my friends and my manager. It was an amazing experience being part of the project, and I was fortunate to work with an incredibly talented team. As someone with a background in dance, I was thrilled to be able to showcase my skills in the music video. Additionally, it was a privilege to have Satish Master as the choreographer for the song, as he had previously worked on the ‘RRR’ soundtrack. All in all, it was a wonderful experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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You have shared screen space with Kartik Aaryan in ‘Love Aaj Kal 2’. Can you share with us your experience or any memorable moment/s from the set?
Being on the set of Imtiaz Ali's film was like a dream come true for me, as he has always been one of my favourite directors. I have been a fan of his work since 'Jab We Met', and it was an incredible experience to work with him. Moreover, Kartik Aaryan was a pleasure to work with. He is a talented and dedicated actor, and it was a wonderful experience to collaborate with him on the project. I hope to work with both of them again in the future.

You made your acting debut with the film ‘Family of Thakurganj’. How has your journey been since then?
I feel blessed for the journey that I have had so far, but I still have many aspirations to fulfil. I had the privilege of working on the film ‘Family Of Thakurganj’, where I got to share the screen with some exceptional actors like Jimmy Sheirgill, Saurabh Shukla, Mahie Gill, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Nandish Sandhu, and others. Being in their company, I got to learn so much about the craft of acting. Additionally, I was also fortunate enough to feature in two mesmerizing songs which were created by some of the top musicians in our country. Overall, it was an incredible opportunity for me, and I cherish every moment of it.

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Do you have any future plans to work in the south entertainment industry?
If a project that interests me comes along, I am definitely open to taking it up.

Can you pls tell us about the web series with Endemol where you play the lead role.
It's a series that revolves around the dynamics of a newsroom and explores various societal issues. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose any further details at this point.

What are the parameters that you see before saying yes to any project?
When I receive a project offer, I like to gather as much information as possible about the team, director, production house, other cast members, storyline, and the character they want me to portray. As the character will have a significant impact on my life during the shooting period, I want to ensure that it is something I am passionate about and willing to dedicate my time and efforts towards. This helps me to make an informed decision and give my best to the project.

Is there any project that you regret not doing?
None as of now…

Any role that you feel that you could have done it way better than the onscreen heroine?
(Laughs) I will rather skip this question.

Your role in ‘Cartel’ was 'emotionally volatile'. When you do such a high on emotions role, does it drain you from within?
The emotional parts of acting can be both exhausting and liberating. During the shooting of a project, I had to deal with the loss of my mother. Despite this, I returned to set the next day and was able to channel some of my emotions into my character's performance. It was a strange and indescribable feeling. Interestingly, the very first day of the shoot for ‘Cartel’ was in a hospital, where my character's mother was attacked and hospitalized, and I had to break down emotionally. Little did I know that soon, I would be dealing with a similar emotion in my personal life.

What kind of preparations do you generally do in order to ‘get into the skin of any character’?
To prepare for any role, I start by gathering information from the director and writer. I, then, immerse myself in the character's backstory, education, culture, relationships, and lifestyle. After that, I focus on learning the character's dialogue and speech patterns. Styling also plays an important role in helping me embody the character. That’s why I work closely with the costume, makeup, and hair departments in order to create the character's look and also my body language.

What are your upcoming projects?
It gives me immense pleasure to share this news with OTTplay. The news is that, I have been cast as the lead in an upcoming web series. The character I will be portraying is intense and challenging, and I can't wait for the audience to see it when it releases.