Model turned actor Pranati Rai Prakash has had a slow but inevitable growth in the performing arts. After a small part in Imitiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal, she is now the lead face of new MX Player web series, Mannphodganj Ki Binny(Applause Entertainment, DJ’s A Creative Unit)
“I wept with happiness seeing myself on the poster and when the trailer first went live. I have struggled a lot to get here. I still remember when I had signed my first film, Family Of Thakurganj, I was nowhere on the poster and promotional material. I was especially hurt when the team dropped me from our cast’s (Jimmy Shergil and Mahie Gill) visit to The Kapil Sharma Show on the ground that they don’t entertain newcomers. I cried myself to sleep that night, but then I decided to prove my mettle. And here I am now with a title role.” says this winner of India’s Next Top Model (MTV, 2016.)
Talking about her character in Mannphodganj Ki Binny, she says, “Binni is your average small-town, middle-class gal. Everybody will identify with her dreams and aspirations of getting a ticket to the big city life.”
Going on, she adds, “I had a great time working with both Alka Kaushik and Atul Srivastav, who play my folks. Alka ma’am is just like my real mom, while Atulji is a very cool guy; I have learned a lot about the acting craft from him.”
Is your series bold?
“There a few such scenes. I have kissed for the first time on the screen, which was needed to show the emotions.”
Ask if the lack of promotions might affect the show’s prospects (due to Corona lockdown)?
“Our biggest saving grace that unlike a film that will go away from the theatre, our series will remain on the app. So whenever we get the chance to promote, I am sure our viewership will increase. I am confident of reaching our target audience, which is the masses of India.”
Here Praniti compared the Coronavirus induced lockdown to Indira Gandhi imposed 1975 emergency. “Mom often talk about those dark days. I never thought a day would come when the entire nation will be sitting at home.”
In closing, we ask her what went wrong with Love Aaj Kal?“While I am too small to comment on the same. I still feel that the public failed to connect with Imtiaz’s sir concept of new age romance.”