Grown-up talks

Manpriya Singh

All of 10, she can cook up quite a storm with her theatrics. The drama queen that she is. City-based talent Mehnaaz Maan corrects, just in case you trip on the facts. “I did not win India’s Best Dramebaaz, I was a finalist,” she shares of the Zee TV’s reality show, which she entered, while she was just an 8-year-old. Currently seen on Dramebaaz Company, a serial that is, “A lot of comedy consisting of gags with the finalists of India’s Best Dramebaaz as the cast. It is fun and plays on weekends,” shares the student of St. Xavier’s Panchkula.

Starting point

It all started when they advertised the auditions for the reality show. “I cleared the Chandigarh round, followed by the Delhi round and then to the Mumbai round, down to top 12 finalists.” She adds, “Also, my mother is an actress. I copied her and already had an interest in the field.”

Ek Mutthi Aasman followed and the serial is in the pipeline, “Is some project that papa knows about. Some film-makers got in touch. Let’s see.”

Special leave

Young talent invariably brings questions on studies, school and curriculum. “I was good in studies. The school authorities arranged for a special leave.” As for the peers, “My friends really like the programmes and tell me about it. Some of them don’t, even then they tell me that they have no interest in television. Either ways, I’m good with it.”

Future plans

Misfit as it might sound, nevertheless, is there anything she’d like to be when she grows up? “I want to be an actress, singer and dancer when I grow up.” And perhaps in the same order of preference. In tandem with the best in the industry. “There are soooo many favourite actresses. I really like Deepika Padukone because of the fact that we never see her in a similar role again. I also like Madhuri Dixit a lot for her dancing and singing.”

So, what is it about acting that she likes? Perhaps the make-up and special treatment! “Oh, I used to like that initially when I started in the field. Things like make-up, new dresses and long cars attracted me a lot. But now it is also for the love of acting. I understand the field more and also understand the nuances of character.” This little one has grown a little already.

manpriya@tribunemail.com