After Ethir Neechal, Vanakkam Chennai and Arima Nambi, Priya Anand is riding a success wave. In an exclusive chat with sify.com, Priya talks about the journey so far in the movie industry and the road ahead for her.

All your recent movies have done well at the Box office and the critics have appreciated you as well as the movie. How do you feel? How is the journey so far?
When I look back, the biggest thing for me is acting with my idol Sridevi in English Vinglish. That's what got me the national attention. Many people do not know this. Even now, I get more Bollywood offers than offers in South. But I don't have time for them. I work hard for each of my movie. I try to look different in each of my movie and there is lot of effort that goes into my looks for my movies even though many people may think they are all commercial movies.

You have done/doing movies with Sivakarthikeyan, Vikram Prabhu, Atharvaa Murali and Gautham Karthik. All young heroes who are hot and happening. How did that happen? Is it by your choice?
I don't plan anything. I don't have any godfathers in the industry. I guess I'm lucky that things are falling in place. Despite my international upbringing, I speak Tamil well and I fit into any character whether urban/modern girl or girl next door. I do work hard and I'm happy that I get to act with these great young stars-Siva, Vikram Prabu, Atharvaa and Gautham.

Tell us something about your recent movie Arima Nambi. How was the working experience?
It was a fantastic experience. I really enjoyed working in the movie. The movie had an edgy screen play. Dir Anand Shankar is going to direct tons of movies in future. But I'm glad that I will always have the honor of being his first heroine.

Irumbu Kuthirai is going to release shortly. What is your take on the movie?
I'm lucky to sign two movies with AGS. Irumbu Kuthirai and Vai Raja Vai. I play a girl from Pondy in the movie. Working in IK is like a holiday. Shooting in Italy was lot of fun. It's like a paid holiday hanging out with friends like Atharvaa and others.

Oru Oorla Rendu Raja's music is all set to release soon. How was it working with Vemal, Soori and the whole setup of OORR?
Music director Imman has come out with a rocking album in OORR. I have become a big fan of his music. Dir. Kannan shows all his heroines with lot of elegance. I wanted to mix it up and work with Actor Vemal. Working with Soori was lot of fun. They all made me comfortable. Even though, we have different backgrounds, we all had a great time working in OORR.

Your friend Vishakha also has a role in OORR. How did that happen?
When the role of my friend in the movie came up, the first person that came to me was my good friend in real life – Vishakha. Vishakha Singh accepted OORR because of the blind trust she has in me. I think more than me and Vemal, the chemistry between me and Vishakha is more in the movie and it has come out really well.

You are also busy shooting for Vai Raja Vai. How is that experience so far.
VRV is my third film with a woman director. It's a big compliment when women directors offer you a role. Because a woman is more critical and only when they feel, I'm really worth it, they will approach me. Like IK, even VRV shoot is lot of fun and like a paid holiday.

We haven't seen you of late in Hindi or Telugu. Why?
I'm busy and happy with the way things are moving in the right direction for me in Tamil. I'm a Tamil Ponnu and I want to work with as many people as possible in Kollywood first. I do get lot of offers in Hindi, but as I said earlier, I don't have time for them.

I understand you haven't been to your home in US for a long time. Is it true?
Yes. I haven't taken time off in the last few years. Only when I was shooting for 180 and English Vinglish, I stopped at my home in US for 2/3 days. I'm so busy here and miss all my folks back in US. Hope I get to go there for a vacation in December.