Priyamvada Kant Interview: On Returning to ‘Tenali Rama’: “TV Actors Work Really Hard”

Actress Priyamvada Kant, who was part of Tenali Rama Season 1, has returned for the second season. In a recent interview, she shared her journey, discussed her experiences on various shows, her return to Tenali Rama, her participation in Bigg Boss, her co-star Krishna Bhardwaj, and much more.

Let’s take a look at what Priyamvada Kant had to say.

• You’ve worked in reality shows, television, and web shows, and now, due to popular demand, you've returned to Tenali Rama Season 2. It’s going really well, and people are loving it. How has the response been so far for Tenali Rama?

I feel really good about it. This journey has been a long one. Recently, I came across a post in a fan club that mentioned I’ve been part of Tenali Rama for 15 years. No one thought the show would come back. After Season 1, I left the show, and people were very disappointed by my decision. For the next six years, I kept receiving messages asking why I left, with people saying, “Sharada, come back!” They kept sending me such messages.

But when Season 2 came up, I thought, so many people are missing me, so I should return. Sharada is an iconic character. Even in my entire acting journey, people remember Sharada. We didn’t expect Tenali Rama Season 2 to be so successful, especially after 5-6 years. It feels like a blessing from God, and it’s wonderful to receive so much love.

• When you left Tenali Rama Season 1, people missed you a lot. What was the reason behind your decision to leave? Typically, when a popular cast member leaves, the audience’s enthusiasm fades. What was the reason for your departure?

Actually, it was mainly due to creative reasons. The show was planning a leap, and at that time, I didn’t want to play the role of a mother because Sharada was a sweet and innocent character. I felt that if children were added to the storyline, the audience wouldn’t enjoy it as much because both Tenali and Sharada were children. I didn’t feel that it would be the right fit for me, and I wouldn’t have enjoyed playing that character. I thought if a child was introduced, the character would become limited, and the audience wouldn’t be able to enjoy it as much. And indeed, when the leap happened, people weren’t as happy because they preferred the chemistry between Tenali and Sharada as children.

That’s why I made that decision. Also, at that time, I felt that as an actor, I needed a chance to play different characters. The mother’s role was fine, but I knew it would last 3-4 years. If I stayed at that time, I would have been stuck for four years. The show went on for a long time, but in the meantime, I did many interesting things in my life. I don’t regret it. I’m happy I left the show at that time because it gave me another opportunity to return.

When you got the audience’s love back in Season 2, how excited were you? Because when we look at your social media, there are so many great comments and love.

It honestly feels so great. When we first started Tenali Rama, Instagram wasn’t that big. We didn’t know how viral it was going or how much people were liking it. But this time, the reels and edits of Tenali and me are everywhere, and it’s truly overwhelming.

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• How do you see the difference between Priyamvada Kant from 2010 and Priyamvada Kant now?

When I started in 2010, I didn’t have much experience in acting. I just did what I was told. Over the years, I’ve played many characters and gained technical experience. Now, I understand camera angles, lighting, and marks. I’ve done around 30-35 shows, and I’ve involved myself in every character. Now, I have more maturity and understanding, and I feel more grounded. However, the excitement for playing new characters is still the same.

• You’ve been in the industry for many years now. How do you look at your journey?

It’s been very interesting. I think every actor dreams of doing a show or film that becomes a hit. In TV, we hope that the show runs for a long time, and our character becomes a hit. That hasn’t been the case for me. My first show lasted a year, sometimes two years. Sharada was a very successful character in my career, but no character lasted 7-8 years.

As an actor, I feel that this profession is unlike any other because in one lifetime, you live many lives and play many characters. In Sharada, I invested about 50% of my personality. If I weren’t there, someone else would play the character, but they wouldn’t be able to bring my personality into it. That’s why all my roles are very important to me because I put a lot of myself into them.

• You worked with Ekta Kapoor in Naagin. It is said that working with her requires a good relationship, given the controversies surrounding the show. What’s your relationship like with Ekta Kapoor, and how did it happen?

Actually, my first shows, Baari Piya and Betab Dil Ki Tamanna, were with Balaji. After that, I didn’t work with them for 10 years. So, Naagin felt like coming home for me. I’m always grateful to the person who gives you your first break. My first break was from Ekta Ma’am and Balaji, so it felt really good. I remember meeting her for the first time in 2009-2010, and it was overwhelming. We had heard that she could be very loud, but when we met, she asked me, “What’s the problem? Why can’t you do the show?” I said, “I don’t have a place to stay.” She immediately said, “We’ll figure it out.”

• You’ve done 30-35 shows. Which one is your favorite?

Tenali Rama is definitely one of my favorites. I also love Naagin because I learned a lot from it. My first show, Baari Piya, is also close to my heart because I did a lot of dance performances there. Swim Team also makes it to the list.

• How is your bonding with your Tenali Rama co-star Krishna Bhardwaj?

My bond with Krishna has always been great since the first season. We used to make a lot of videos and have fun, but now we don’t get the time for that. The shoot for Tenali Rama is so hectic that we don’t even have time to talk. Our lines are so difficult that we’re just busy memorizing them. We manage to make a reel once a week, if we’re lucky. But our friendship is still beautiful.

• Have you ever felt the pressure to be like another actor?

No, I’ve never felt the pressure to be like someone else. But it is a very stressful job. When you watch it, it may seem like we’re just having fun, but it’s really a lot of hard work. Often, we get our lines just 10 minutes before shooting, and they’re not in our regular language. In any show, you gradually start thinking like the character, but in Tenali Rama, the language is so difficult that memorizing the lines is very challenging. Comedy in Tenali Rama also involves physical actions, with a lot of movement. Balancing everything and making it natural takes a lot of effort.

• What’s the difference between TV and web series?

In the web, you get the script beforehand, which allows you to work more on your character. You can think about how to do a scene, what the backstory could be, and there’s more room for performance. In TV, time is very limited, the lines come quickly, and you have to work instantly. TV actors have it harder because we have to deliver 21 minutes of footage in just one or two takes. In contrast, web series give you more time to think and deliver your performance more comfortably. TV actors have to work harder.

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• You recently worked with Rajshri Films in the series Bada Naam Karenge. How was your experience working with them?

Every actress dreams of working with Rajshri Films. I grew up watching Hum Aapke Hain Koun and seeing Madhuri Dixit dance, and I thought, "I want to do this." Years later, when I got the call for the Rajshri show, I immediately said yes, especially after knowing that Suraj Sir was the showrunner. Rajshri’s family drama characters are always very sweet, and working with them was a wonderful experience.

• Is there any director or actor you would love to work with?

I’d love to work on a set with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I’m a trained dancer, and I love Indian looks and dances. It’s been my dream since childhood.

• You’ve received many offers for web shows, some of which have language or glamorous scenes. Did you ever consider such offers?

Yes, I’ve received offers where there were glamorous or bold scenes. But I’ve always thought that I should only do work where I feel comfortable. As an actor, it’s important to choose roles based on your own preferences and boundaries.

• Why did you take so long to debut in web series?

I took my time because I didn’t want to do the type of content that was trending on the web, such as excessive intimate scenes or swearing. In the past decade, most web series and platforms like Netflix and Amazon have shown a lot of crime and gore, which I don’t enjoy. I wanted to do something that families could watch together.

• There's a rumor in the TV industry that actors and actresses are facing payment issues. Is that true?

Yes, many people are facing this issue. Sometimes producers don’t get paid on time, and sometimes it’s the actors who delay. I haven’t faced this directly, but there have been delays in payments, and sometimes we get paid after 5 months. It feels terrible when payments are delayed. We work hard, and we hope this issue gets resolved soon.

• Would you ever do a role against your will?

No, I would never do a role that I don’t want to do. If I take up a role, it’s because I want it and believe in the script. I’ve been offered roles in big films with just a scene or two, or with directors I wanted to work with. But if I feel that it’s not right for me and my talent will go to waste, I wouldn’t take it.

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• You were offered Bigg Boss, but you turned it down. Why?

I’m not the fighting type. Also, I feel like I would do Bigg Boss only if I had a good chance of winning. I could do it anytime, but it’s not something I’m eager to do right now.

• Would you ever do ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ ?

No, I’m really scared of those shows. I don’t think I could do them.

• You’ve also been a part of Splitsvilla. How do you look at that journey?

I think going to Splitsvilla was a great decision. Everyone was against me because I had done TV for 10 years and had given hit shows. But then I got a call, and the next day I had to go. Without thinking much, I said yes. I decided to show my true identity. You don’t need to be like anyone else, because no one can be better than you. Just believe in yourself, and it will always work for you.

• What kind of work do you want to do?

I’m an actor, and I love playing all kinds of roles. I want to do every kind of role.

• What does success and failure mean to you?

I think you should never give up. The more you fail, the closer you get to success.

• What would you like to say to your audience?

I’ve played different kinds of roles, and you’ve supported me through every character. Thank you so much for your love. Keep supporting me like this.

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