Kalyani Priyadarshan on her biggest lesson from father Priyadarshan: 'I will never allow anyone to call me lazy'

After the record-breaking success of Dulquer Salmaan produced Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra, which crossed over Rs 300 crore globally, Kalyani Priyadarshan is being celebrated as one of the most consistent and hardworking actors in the Malayalam film industry. In the midst of the praise, Kalyani took a moment to reflect on the most valuable lesson she inherited from her father, the legendary filmmaker Priyadarshan - an unshakable work ethic.The master director was in thick of action few days back when he shot for his upcoming film Haiwaan with Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the middle of Mumbai city.

“I’ve always said that what I picked up from him is his work ethic and his professionalism,” Kalyani shared in an interview with ETimes. “All my life, I’ve just seen him work. He gives his all, even to this day. He doesn’t need to; he’s older now, and his body isn’t as strong as it used to be. But even now, I’ve seen him shoot crazy hours, shoot in the rain, or work while running a fever.”




She vividly recalled moments from her childhood that left a lasting impression on her. “I’ve seen him with a hundred-and-something-degree fever, drinking super hot tea, shivering, holding a mic, and still saying ‘action.’ I’ve seen him running around at 10:30 at night trying to figure things out on a set. This is the man I grew up watching,” she said with admiration.

For Kalyani, witnessing that level of commitment shaped her own attitude toward her work. “Somewhere along the way, that became a part of me too,” she said. “Anyone who has worked with me ,they can say a hundred things about me, but one thing I’ll never allow them to say is that I’m lazy. I’m sure everyone who’s worked with me will say that I’m hardworking, and I get that from my father.”

She believes that her father’s approach to filmmaking where the producer’s trust and the film’s integrity come before everything else deeply influenced her sense of responsibility as an artist. “He has always given his all for a film, and his producer has always come first,” she added. “That mentality has become mine as well.” Priyadarshan's next release is going to be Bhoot Bangla with Akshay Kumar,Paresh Rawal , Tabu and Wamiqa Gabbi.