Here’s what Priya Prakash Varrier says on the controversy surrounding her viral ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’ song

Her cute wink and coquettish smile may have made Priya Prakash Varrier the national crush but the debutante, who is enjoying her newfound fame, hopes to have a lasting acting career rather than being a fleeting Internet sensation.

The 18-year-old college student, whose appearance in the teaser song ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’ from film Oru Adaar Love (A Superb Love Story) catapulted her to national fame, also has Bollywood dreams and counts Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shah Rukh Khan among her favourites.

“I would like to be known as a good actor rather than being known as the wink queen. This is a new feeling. But I am happy. The song has received good response,” Varrier, whose Instagram following has now reached 3.3m and the numbers are growing, said.

“Our director told us that the 30-second shot should be a memorable one and we followed his vision. I never expected that it would become such a big hit. It is a school-centric film. We are discussing love, crushes and friendship. Love in the time of schooling is the theme of the film,” she said.

In the viral number, the actor and her co-star Roshan Abdul Rahoof are seen doing a see-saw with their …read more