Talent unlimited

Preeti Nigam, who became a household name with the one of the longest running show ‘Ruthuragalu’ was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for completing 20 years in the industry by TSR Cinegoers' Association.

Nigam is known for her varied roles and has garnered rave reviews for her negative characters. Currently, she is working in ETV’s ‘Swati Chinukulu’.

In a candid interview, Nigam speaks about the award, career and new show

How does it feel to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement award?
I feel it was too early (laughs). I told them I don’t want it. It should get it when I’m in my 60’s. But my husband Ramakrishna said, “You worked so much, which is apparently equal to 60 years”. They convinced me by giving example of Sruthi and others who were awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award. So that’s how I was conferred with it.

Would you say that you are in the best phase of your career?
I think I crossed the best phase of my career. We’re working as machines these days. I used to enjoy my work in beginning of my career.

Not that I’m not enjoying it now, but it is just too much of ego that is destroying the beautiful relation between cast and crew members. I remember those lovely memories from ‘Ruthuragalu’.

One should enjoy the shooting atmosphere and it will happen when everyone will leave “E” from their “EGO”, which is not quite possible in today’s world. I’m not pointing out to actors; it’s about each and every person who is part of the team.

Why do you always choose negative roles?
I did many positive roles too, but people have forgotten that and remember me for the negative roles. I want to do something different. And I’m too tired of doing negative roles.

I don’t want to be a monotonous actress, but as they say work chooses you. So everyone type casted me. That’s the reason I told, “I’m yet to achieve my success”. I forayed into the industry at a very young age. When I got negative roles I grabbed them but never thought I would be caught in them.

Do you get nervous when you start working on a new show?
Before giving acceptance to any show, of course, I’ll be nervous but once I get into the skin of the character I’m into it. I mentally prepare myself and speak to the creative team about it. I also discuss about costumes because the outfit makes one a standout in the crowd.

When did you realise that you wanted to become an actress?
I realised it when I was in Class V. My father was a stage artiste. Most of his shows were held at Ravindra Bharati.

From childhood, I have been jack of all trades and master of none. One day, Anil Kumar, who is my Kuchipudi teacher, encouraged my mother to enrol me in dance classes. I started learning Kathak from AV Sridhar in Class VI. Subsequently, Anil made me to learn folk dance.

He did not want me to enter the glamour world. But somehow a few documentary people called me and Anil for shooting. He took my responsibility and that’s how my acting career began. I still remember that people praised me for the expressions I gave.

Your Hindi is good, so why did you not go to Mumbai?
Due to my personal fears, I did not venture into the ‘City of Dreams’. My first show was “Patjhad” and almost all crew members were from Mumbai and they appreciated my work. Then I did ‘Darar’; Sagar Sarihadi, director, asked me many times to get settled in Mumbai.

He spoke to my parents too. But due my own fears I couldn’t go. Shyam Benegal used to appreciate me a lot. He always used to say, “Hyderabad mein apni Nigam haina”. I still remember the time when I took an award on the stage in front of Amitabh Bachchan and he made the whole Mumbai fraternity give a standing ovation to me.

Is there any role which is your favourite in 20 years of your journey?
“Haritha” from ‘Ruthuragalu’ is my favourite character. The story is nothing but what actually happens in real life. I was in college when the show started, so I played according to my age as the show progressed.