Preity Mukhundhan is still exploring her identity as an actor, but her ambitions already extend beyond acting. In a recent conversation about her characters, storytelling and the way women are written in cinema, the actor revealed that she would eventually like to become a writer.
One of the most interesting aspects of Preity’s approach to acting is her willingness to acknowledge the complexities of the characters she plays. Discussing her role as Iyal in Anbil Avan, she admitted that the character fits the familiar “damsel in distress” trope.
Preity Mukhundhan on Playing Iyal in Anbil Avan
Preity explained that Iyal is assertive and intelligent, even though the story places her in situations where she needs protection from her husband, Suriya, played by Ashok Selvan.
For Preity, portraying vulnerability did not mean making Iyal appear weak.
“Having a vulnerable moment doesn’t make you weak. I think the vulnerability made her look more human; I just made her real.”
The actor believes female characters can be strong without always being portrayed as physically aggressive or constantly ready for confrontation.
She pointed to her role in Blast, where physical strength was closely connected to her character’s mental strength. At the same time, she argued that cinema should explore a wider emotional spectrum when writing women, including their darker and more complicated sides.
According to Preity, meaningful characterisation requires filmmakers and writers to understand women as complete human beings rather than relying on simplified ideas of femininity.
She Wants More Nuanced Stories About Women
Preity also spoke about the way films portray women from underprivileged backgrounds. While she understands why filmmakers often focus on hardship to create empathy, she would also like to see the everyday joys and personal dimensions of these characters.
She wants audiences to see what makes such women happy, what they enjoy and what gives their lives meaning beyond their economic circumstances.
Preity acknowledged that her own perspective is shaped by growing up in a privileged household. Rather than ignoring that privilege, she believes it makes it even more important for her to look for nuanced portrayals of lives different from her own.
Her comments point to a broader interest in character-driven storytelling—stories where a person’s circumstances are important but do not completely define who they are.
Preity Mukhundhan Says She Was Once Shy and Inhibited
The actor also reflected on her own upbringing and how being frequently noticed for her appearance affected her personality.
Preity said she was often looked at and discussed because of what she described as her conventional good looks. Rather than making her more outgoing, the attention made her shy and inhibited.
Now, she says she wants to move beyond those limitations and continue discovering her comfort zones.
That process appears to be influencing her work as well. Instead of simply looking for familiar roles, Preity seems interested in characters and stories that require her to learn something new.
‘I Love Cinema. I Think, Up Next, I Would Like to Write’
Preity’s interest in storytelling appears to go beyond her work in front of the camera.
“I don’t think I’ll stick just to acting. I love cinema. I think, up next, I would like to write.”
She described herself as someone who is particularly interested in narratives. Even when watching a film, she said she tends to focus more on the story than on the actors or their performances.
Her curiosity also extends to everyday conversations. Preity enjoys observing how people tell stories, including the way a narrative develops and changes as someone recounts it.
That fascination could eventually shape the kind of filmmaker or writer she becomes.
Arrival Is Her Favourite Film
If Preity’s future writing reflects her cinematic preferences, audiences might expect stories that combine strong concepts with emotional depth.
She revealed that science fiction is one of her favourite genres and singled out Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival (2016) as her all-time favourite film.
The actor particularly appreciates how the movie combines its science-fiction premise with emotion. She also revealed that the film moved her deeply and made her tear up.
Her admiration for Arrival offers a glimpse into the type of storytelling that interests her: concept-driven cinema that remains emotionally grounded.
Preity Mukhundhan’s New Challenge With Dhanush’s D56
Preity was recently announced as part of Dhanush and Tamizharasan Pachamuthu’s upcoming film D56, which is being filmed in Madurai.
While she was careful not to reveal details about her character, Preity said the project marks her first opportunity to play a rural character.
To prepare for the role, she has been taking guidance classes to understand the behaviour and speech patterns of someone who was born and brought up in such an environment.
For an actor who says she is still exploring her capabilities, the preparation appears to be part of the attraction.
Preity Mukhundhan Wants Characters That Matter to the Story
Preity also admitted that she places considerable expectations on herself. She is concerned about reaching her potential and does not want to look back later in life feeling that she failed to pursue the opportunities she dreamed about.
For now, her ambitions are focused on finding meaningful stories and characters.
Her goal is not simply to be present in a film. She wants to play characters whose presence is essential to the narrative.
“I want to do stories that reach people, and portray characters that make you say, ‘if the girl wasn’t there the story wouldn’t happen.’”
That ambition neatly connects the different parts of Preity Mukhundhan’s conversation—from her thoughts on writing women to her interest in storytelling and her desire to eventually write herself.
For an actor still building her filmography, the next chapter may therefore involve more than acting. It could eventually include creating the stories she wants to see on screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Preity Mukhundhan?
Preity Mukhundhan is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil cinema and is known for taking on varied roles while continuing to explore different aspects of performance and storytelling.
What did Preity Mukhundhan say about writing?
Preity said she does not think she will limit herself to acting and revealed that she would like to write in the future. She described herself as someone who loves cinema and narratives.
What is Preity Mukhundhan’s favourite film?
Preity named Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 science-fiction film Arrival as her all-time favourite, praising its combination of science-fiction elements and emotion.
What is Preity Mukhundhan’s role in D56?
Preity has been announced as part of Dhanush and Tamizharasan Pachamuthu’s D56. She said it is her first time playing a rural character and that she is taking guidance to understand the character’s setting and mannerisms.
What kind of roles does Preity Mukhundhan want to play?
Preity said she wants to be part of stories that reach audiences and characters whose presence is crucial to the narrative rather than roles that feel incidental to the story.
Final Take
Preity Mukhundhan’s comments reveal an actor thinking beyond performance. Her interest in nuanced female characters, narrative structure and eventually writing suggests that storytelling itself is at the centre of her ambitions.
With D56 offering her a new kind of character to explore, Preity appears to be using each project as an opportunity to expand her range—while keeping a longer-term goal in sight: telling stories of her own.
