Polite Society Interview: Meet Priya Kansara, "the Next Tom Cruise"

04/30/23 • 29 min

We’ve seen quite a few actors make a big impression via a first feature, but Priya Kansara does it in spectacular fashion in Polite Society. Kansara does it all in the film.

She leads as Ria, a young woman who dreams of becoming a stunt performer when she grows up. Her parents may not be wholeheartedly behind the idea, but that’s not stopping Ria. She’s determined to achieve her dream, and she’s equally determined to help her sister, Lena (Ritu Arya), achieve her dream of becoming an artist. Trouble is, Lena’s lost faith in herself. Soon after dropping out of art school, Lena finds herself on what some might consider a more traditional path, and Ria isn’t having it. Lena falls for a guy who ticks all the boxes and then some, and the two quickly become engaged. Convinced something isn’t quite right with Lena’s new beau, Ria sets out to expose him, end their relationship, and nudge Lena back on the path of putting herself first and becoming an artist.

Polite Society has a little of everything. It’s a moving coming-of-age story, a charming comedy, an electric action film, and also an emotional story of two sisters who grow apart and must find their way back to one another — and Kansara nails it all. Her energy is unmatched, her comedic timing and delivery are spot-on, she’s an ace with the stunts, and effortlessly pivots into hugely emotional beats that pack a punch. For any casting director out there, Kansara’s work in Polite Society is essentially an entire acting resume in one film. It’s a piece that shows off her boundless range and ability to tackle any challenge a production throws at her from nailing a choreographed dance to complicated fight sequences.

With Polite Society now playing in theaters nationwide, Kansara took the time to join me for a Collider Ladies Night Pre-Party interview to revisit how she scored her first lead role in a feature film.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve seen quite a few actors make a big impression via a first feature, but Priya Kansara does it in spectacular fashion in Polite Society. Kansara does it all in the film.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Evil Dead Rise Interview: Meet Lily Sullivan, Your New Chainsaw-Wielding Badass

There is no higher Evil Dead honor than to wield the chainsaw and Boomstick, and Evil Dead Rise star Lily Sullivan certainly makes the most of that opportunity in the new film.

She leads as Beth, a guitar technician who’s often on the road and isn’t the best at returning her sister Ellie’s (Alyssa Sullivan) phone calls. However, at the beginning of the film, Beth is compelled to head back to Los Angeles for a visit. What she hopes will be some much-needed quality time with her sister and her three kids (Morgan Davis, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher) turns into an utter nightmare when a Necronomicon surfaces. The book quickly consumes Ellie with its evil, leaving Beth as the sole guardian and protector of the kids.

With Evil Dead Rise now playing in theaters nationwide, Sullivan joined me for a Collider Ladies Night Pre-Party chat to recap her journey in the industry thus far from her earliest sets to living up to Bruce Campbell-level expectations as the Evil Dead film franchise's newest chainsaw and shotgun-wielding hero.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Jasmin Savoy Brown Interview: Yellowjackets Season 2, Scream 6 & More

Jasmin Savoy Brown’s been racking up impressive film and television credits for quite some time, but she skyrocketed to the top of the Collider Ladies Night guest bucket list in January 2022 courtesy of Scream.

Yes, there are many pre-Scream titles of Brown’s I’d highly recommend — The Leftovers, Laggies, and Sound of Violence being major standouts — but Brown carries one particular scene in Scream that quickly became a favorite scene of the franchise, and of all-time — the scene in which Mindy explains the rules of the new movie. It’s brilliant writing, but it’s also dialogue that only works in the hands of the most adept performer, someone who’s able to play into the comedic meta nature of the franchise while also respecting the fact that the series has amassed a slew of diehard fans. “To some people, the original is their favorite thing in the world, the movie that made them love horror, that mom or dad showed them when they were 10 that bonded them together.” That right there is me, and Brown delivers that dialogue in a way that’s both playful and reverential, and also sparks a feeling that very few scenes achieve; it suddenly feels like the whole world’s melted away and Mindy is talking directly to you.

Brown cemented her place on the Collider Ladies Night guest bucket list even further with Yellowjackets. In an ensemble packed with top-notch talent, Brown shines via Taissa’s determination and tenacity, and also the infectious love and warmth between her and Van (Liv Hewson). As things get darker (and colder) in Season 2, Brown soars while exploring the physical and emotional complexity of Tai’s situation, how it’s impacting her relationship with Van, her place in the group, and the person she’s becoming.

Want yet another reason Brown’s a must-have guest on Collider Ladies Night? Since skyrocketing in Hollywood via Scream and Yellowjackets, she's using her ever-growing reach and platform to encourage positive representation. Brown’s a true force in this business, and one that’s changing it for the better, making her the ideal Collider Ladies Night guest.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.