I haven't done homework for my films'

'In India, I'm able to work with the biggest stars on creating a scene, creating that emotion, without being too hung up on their persona.

If there was a pan-India list of Southern actors who have successfully crossed over to Bollywood, Priyamani would definitely feature on it.

The National Award-winning actor, who can fluently speak five Indian languages, has had a successful track record in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and now, in Hindi cinema.

Even though it was released way back in 2013, you will still remember the 1234 Get On The Dance Floor song in Chennai Express where she swung her hips next to Shah Rukh Khan.

Ten years later, Priyamani has back-to-back blockbusters in Hindi with the Web series The Family Man and the film, Jawan. Her latest Hindi film, Article 370, where she plays the gutsy Rajeshwari Swaminathan, joint secretary to the prime minister, is also a hit. Priyamani will be seen in the Eid release, Maidaan, co-starring Ajay Devgn. “We had been working on Maidaan for a while and I can’t wait for people to watch it on the big screen,”

Post The Family Man, you have been a part of successful projects like Jawan and Article 370, where you have played mainstream roles, more like Priyamani 2.0. What is the formula that has worked for you?

I was always a mainstream actress. But yes, I understand what you mean about my work in mainstream Bollywood. I think I am just fortunate, there is no formula. These are some of the projects that came to me that I could not say no to.

We had been working on Maidaan for a while and I can’t wait for people to watch it on the big screen.

When you sign on a project, what interests you the most -- the overall script and story, or the character you will be playing in it?

The script, followed by the story.