Priyadarshi: The collective trauma of the pandemic got to me

Actor Priyadarshi talks about treading a dark zone in Telugu web series ‘In the Name of God’, the success of ‘Mail’ and ‘Jathi Ratnalu’ and working during the pandemic

Priyadarshi Pulikonda has so far appeared in comic or character roles that are generally amiable. Imagine him as a protagonist headlining a story of lust, greed and power. The Telugu web series In the Name of God (ING), which will stream on Aha from June 18, will see him in a dark zone. The actor, who was seen in indie film Mail and the box office hit Jathi Ratnalu earlier this year, discusses his new web series and why he likes to takes up both mainstream and offbeat projects. Edited excerpts from the interview: It was fun to portray a dark character like Aadi. I wanted to be part of a story that looks at the greed and power dynamics in society. When Vidya [director Vidyasaagar Muthukumar] came up with this, I thought it was time to push myself into this zone, away from the amiable characters I am known for. The digital space gives us scope to push the bar. Gods of Dharmapuri (web series on Zee5) whetted viewers’ appetite for darker Telugu stories. Loser (the sports series) also gave me the confidence to do something new.