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You might have seen her in Bigg Boss 9 and also in some TV news debates. We’re talking about the multifaceted Priya Malik, who, in her own words, is a ‘polarising personality’. In this email interview, she writes about a lot of things, including why her twitter handle is @priyasometimes. Excerpts:
1) How much did Bigg Boss help you?
It helped in being a platform that is viewed by a majority of Indians. It was a launch pad for me where people got to know me for who I am, rather than for what I do.
2) Is the show rigged? Please be honest here. 😛
Unless I have concrete proof, it will be unfair of me to say that.
3) You have been called ‘the most gutsy’ contestant on BB9, and you even received death threats on social media, because while many liked, some also hated you. How did you deal with that?
I am a polarizing personality, people either really love me or really hate me, there is no middle ground and I have made my peace with it.
4) Why is your twitter handle @priyasometimes? Do you also have another name?
My official name is actually Priyanka. The handle “priyasometimes” is in reference to an Alice in Wonderland quote which goes like this
“‘Who are you?’ said the Caterpillar.
Alice replied, rather shyly, ‘I — I hardly know, sir, just at present — at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'”
I, too, change, several times a day.
5) You were a stand-up comedian and also won a competition in Melbourne in 2014. Why didn’t you pursue it? Any plans to revive that?
It was a state finalist for RAW comedy in South Aus. I did do some stand up here too with Canvas and ICC. I still do corporate gigs. I got busy with acting and hence writing took a backseat. It is still one of the things I do (amongst many others).
6) You have always been vocal about things that matter – be it rapes, eve teasing, feminism, women’s sexuality and more. When did you start to speak about them?
Have mouth, will speak.
7) What are the reactions you get for being vocal about such issues?
Mostly love, sometimes a lot of hate which actually just fuels me to do it even more often.
8) What are the ways in which India and even the rest of the world can better when it comes to important issues?
By raising a voice against injustice of any kind. That is always the first step. I live by Snowden’s “Speak not because it is safe, but because it is right”.
9) Do you feel many of us don’t respect each other’s views & opinions? There’s no concept of agree to disagree?
If there is anything I can ever teach my children it will be this – ‘How to respect people you don’t necessarily agree with’.
10) How do you deal with trolls? Do you lose your cool while dealing with them at times?
I delete or defeat, depending on my mood.
11) Do you get unsolicited messages and pics from creeps and trolls?
You bet, I do! I had a flurry of di*k pics once. I still get them every now and then.
12) What are you working on currently and what are your future projects?
Working on a few things. My next HT column should be out soon, I am doing a show called Savitri Devi for Colors, a regular panelist on a few news channels and my play is still on, we’re going to take it interstate very soon, plus some appearances and endorsements.
13) Anything else which you want to say?
Thank you. 🙂
