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Saiparn’s ploy
By Suwitcha Chaiyong, Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
Young actress plays the perfect part

To get noticed and make it big in showbiz, many actors have to transform themselves into characters that are totally different from their own personalities. That wasn’t the case for 17-year-old rising star Apinya Sakuljaroensuk (Saiparn).

In the new movie Ploy, director Pen-ek Ratanaruang’s latest film, Saiparn found herself portraying a young woman who was a lot like herself.

“I’m very similar to the character Ploy in the way that she talks and behaves,” she said. “We’re also both down-to-earth and outspoken.”

Those qualities helped propel Ploy and the young star to international recognition. The film was selected to premier at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

LUCKY SNACK

Saiparn started down the road to stardom a few years ago. She was crossing the street to get a snack at a convenience store when a lost traveller stopped her.

“I bumped into a talent scout who was lost, and he asked me for directions,” she said. “After I gave him directions, he took my picture. A week later I had an audition for my first commercial.”

From those humble and unlikely beginnings, Saiparn — currently a 10th-grader at Interkids Bilingual School — won her first role. Cinema-goers will remember her from one of the commercials that runs before the feature, encouraging movie viewers to turn off their mobile phones.

Since then, she’s appeared in more than 20 commercials, several music videos and as one of the hosts of the TV show Strawberry Cheesecake. Although all of those appearances have made Saiparn a familiar face, she said that none of them reflected what she’s really like.

“I mostly play sweet girls or somebody a lot older than I am. What I did on Strawberry Cheesecake is completely opposite to my true character,” she said. “ The hosts have to be extremely sweet. It isn’t what I am. I’m like a lamoot or a sugar-apple, not a strawberry.”

THE RIGHT ROLE

Saiparn finally got what she feels is the role of her dreams when she landed the part in Ploy. But it didn’t feel like a sure thing after her first audition.

“After the audition, I didn’t expect that I would get the part, but I’m glad and comfortable with the role,” she said.
Being herself wasn’t a piece of cake, however — especially playing opposite veteran actress Lalita Panyopas (Mew).

“I felt tense. She’s a real professional,” Saiparn said. “I was afraid to make eye contact with her and show my facial expressions on the set.”

Despite her initial jitters, Saiparn was able to overcome her anxiety during rehearsals.
“All the nervousness was gone after we got into rehearsals. Mew was very nice,” she said.

DOWNSIDE OF FAME

Viewers at Cannes, a notoriously prickly bunch, gave Ploy a warm welcome. Saiparn wasn’t able to enjoy any of the accolades first hand, however. Real-world responsibilities back home kept the young star far from the glitzy showbiz world on the French Riviera.

“I gave up the opportunity to go because I had to go to school,” she said. “These days, I can only go to school three days a week.”

A tight schedule and lack of sleep are definitely the downsides of fame, Saiparn said.
“I have no time to sleep. Yesterday, I came back home at 2 am and woke up at 6 am. Today, I have to work until midnight,” she said. “It’s been like this for three months. I could be dead if this continues.”

Saiparn’s growing celebrity has undoubtedly changed her life. In spite of all of the differences, she said that one thing hasn’t changed.

“Whether people know me or not, I have never changed myself,” she said. “I am what I am.”

Source : http://www.student-weekly.com/thisweek/020707_entertain_02.html