Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Photo: M. SRINATH

Enterprising Hardworking actor

Hard work has paid off for Prem, who candidly says that he was not all that comfortable dancing in ‘Kalaignarin Kannamma’, the first movie in which he played a lead role.

“After I won Jodi No.1 competition, the first person who called and congratulated me was Meena (heroine of the film). She said that she was stunned by my performance and it was great to hear appreciation from an excellent dancer,” recalls Prem, who has done a number with Malavika in the Deepavali-release ‘Machchakaran’.

“That performance has won me the dancer image. I am happy and thankful to Jodi No.1,” he says.

Prem was a popular face on the small screen. But of late, this soft-spoken artiste has not been visible in serials.

“Yes, ‘Manaivi’ was my last TV soap and it’s close to two-and-a-half-years since I did one. Silver screen has always been my aim and now I am working hard to earn a name for myself,” he says.

Is it a conscious decision to stay away from serials? “I don’t fear that I might be branded as a serial artiste. But it is very hard to manage both. Life in small screen was smooth, but when you wish to achieve big you need to take the risk.”

Prem modestly admits that his performances on small screen have always won him instant recognition. “It was a pleasant surprise when I came to know Kalaignar Karunanidhi handpicked me for the lead role in ‘Kannamma’ after appreciating my performance in the serial ‘Annamalai.’ It was a great honour to get a pat from a legend,” he says.

Prem plays the lead opposite Sangeetha in ‘Dhanam,’ which is slated for Pongal release. He has also got some challenging roles in the films under-production – ‘Nepali’ and ‘Kathikappal.’

“My father was a police officer and I wanted to play a cop in a film. My dream has become a reality through ‘Nepali.’ But still there are bigger dreams to accomplish,” he smiles.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail