In December last year, actress Prachi Tehlan was on cloud nine. Her Mollywood debut Mamangam had released and she was overwhelmed with the appreciation from fans for her character in the period drama starring Mammootty. The film was centred around the 18th century Mamangam festival where a family of warriors plot to overthrow the Zamorin.
In August, Tehlan married Rohit Saroha, a wildlife conservationist and businessman.
A year after she fell in love with Kerala, she is back in Kochi. Tehlan talks to THE WEEK about her acting career, finding love amid the pandemic and more.
Excerpts:
How did you spend time during the lockdown?
I was in Mumbai for three months when the lockdown was announced. And then I moved to Delhi where my parents live. It is also during the lockdown that I met the guy of my life (laughs). And he proposed me.
Tell us more about him and your wedding during the pandemic.
We had dated each other for a few months in 2013, and then lost touch. We reconnected with each other during the lockdown and it all fell in place. That is how it happened. To be honest, I feel complete. Now I feel I have someone to look back and lean on to when I need support.
I have always wanted a small wedding, just with the people who matter in my life. We did not want to postpone the wedding, because nothing is certain about the pandemic situation. It also just felt right and we wanted to go ahead with it as soon as possible.
Your role in Mamangam is one of your most prominent ones yet. The film had opened to mixed reviews. How was your experience?
I have been lucky to make my south debut with a huge film like Mamangam, along with a superstar like Mammootty (sir). The film will always hold a special place in my heart. It is also very special because I was associated with the film right from the start of the project in January 2018. I was especially close to Achutan (child artiste who essayed Chandrathil Chanthunni Menon). It was his debut film, too, and he treated me like an elder sister. He even taught me how to eat fish with my hands (laughs).
The best part was the kind of feedback I received from the Malayali audience. I got messages from people who said they wanted to see more of me on the screen. People even messaged me that I was their adopted daughter, and that I am part of Kerala now. It made me so emotional that they have accepted me with an open heart. It feels like home here.
You have an interesting career graph. From sportsperson [she was former captain of the Indian Netball team] to television actress to the movies. How has the sports background helped you in showbiz?
Had it not been for my sports background, I would not have reached where I am today. Right from how I speak to how I carry myself, I owe it all to sports. In fact, my acting debut on the TV show Diya Aur Baati Hum happened because the team approached me after seeing my photographs on a Facebook fan-page when I was a sportsperson. I had not even thought of being an actor; it is all destiny.
The sports background has also helped me deal with the showbiz industry with a very positive attitude and tackle issues.
Any projects in the pipeline? Tell us about your Bollywood plans.
I keep giving auditions for Bollywood projects; I am just waiting for the right one to work out. I want people to accept me as an actor, and not just as a girl from a sports background. After Mamangam, I was approached for Mohanlal's Ram, directed by Jeethu Joseph. But I could not take it up because I was not content with the scope of the character. Though, it would have been a dream come true to act along with Mohanlal after sharing screen space with Mammootty also. My Telugu debut film Trishanku will release in 2021. It was scheduled to release this year, but was held up due to the pandemic.
As an actor, how do you feel about films heading the OTT way?
I believe, as an actor, it is important to be recognised on the big screen. Even for the producers, it is important that films get theatrical release. Or else, eventually the business will suffer. But the big screen has always been for stars. OTT, however, has given a chance to character actors. OTT platforms have opened up avenues for hugely talented actors who have not been given a space yet. Shows like Paatol Lok, Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story are proof of good content and actors like Jaideep Ahlawat and Pratik Gandhi are amazing. The line between big screen and small screen has blurred; it is all about good content.
Lessons learnt in 2020?
This year has been a blessing in disguise for many people. It taught me that I was just running around with the crowd. COVID-19 has taught us that it is important to be ambitious but it is also important that we live our life fully. Do the right things at the right age. Spend time with your family.
