From Canada to T-town

Canada born Priya Banerjee debuts in the upcoming tollywood movie KISS

Armed with a degree in International Marketing, Canada born Priya Banerjee landed in Mumbai in pursuit of her dreams. But she had no plans of joining a leading MNC or starting a business of her own. Instead, she signed up for an acting course at the Actor Prepares institute founded by Anupam Kher. Priya’s stars must have been well aligned because as soon as she completed the course, she received her first offer from Tollywood.

“It was a bold step for me to come all the way from Canada to

follow my dreams,” Priya recalls, adding, “As soon as I completed the acting course, I was all set to fly back home. It was then that a friend of mine informed me about the auditions for the movie KISS. The film’s shooting was scheduled in San Francisco

PRIYA BANERJEE

ACTRESS

and since I was flying back in the same direction, I thought, ‘Why not give it a shot?’”

As luck would have it, she was selected to play the female lead opposite Adivi Sesh in the film.

“I sent them my recorded tape for the auditions and received a call after a few days. They told me I was selected to play the lead. I was so excited!” says Priya, who has also finished shooting for a Tamil movie and signed on a Bollywood film as well. About her role in KISS, she adds, “The character I play is similar to the way I am in real life and even her name is Priya. She is an NRI, born and brought up in a very strict and conservative Indian family. But she wants to be independent and experience love and life in her own way.”

Just days away from the release of her debut film, Priya shares, “I am excited and nervous. I’m looking forward to seeing myself on the big screen for the first time.”

The character I play is similar to the way I am in real life and even her name is Priya