In matters of the heart and craft Priyanka Chopra chooses the tricky trail. Filmfare chats up B-town’s girl on the go
An actor recently remarked, ‘Priyanka Chopra is the female Shah Rukh Khan!’ And knowing PC’s admiration for the King Khan she is probably jumping through hoops at this one. The girl has energy and a distinct brand of joie de vivre that’s unwavering. Come rumours of heartbreak or her father's ill-health, nothing can numb her energy. She survives heartbreak and box office thuds with equanimity. We at Filmfare were witness to her gusto as she laughed with Imran Khan to court the camera for our photoshoot. She may have given away her beauty pageant crown a decade ago, but this B-town princess is here to reign…You’ve been experimental in your choice of roles in films that didn't do well at the box-office. How difficult was it to do that in a male-dominated industry?
It is a male-dominated industry but I’ve been fortunate to get plum roles. Fashion, for example, completely rested on my shoulders. I’ve reached a point where directors feel I’m capable of playing heavy duty roles. Whether Saat Khoon Maaf did well or not, at least Vishal Bhardwaj felt I was competent to do it. No One Killed Jessica was based on women and it did so well. Times are changing for sure.
It is a male-dominated industry but I’ve been fortunate to get plum roles. Fashion, for example, completely rested on my shoulders. I’ve reached a point where directors feel I’m capable of playing heavy duty roles. Whether Saat Khoon Maaf did well or not, at least Vishal Bhardwaj felt I was competent to do it. No One Killed Jessica was based on women and it did so well. Times are changing for sure.
You play an autistic in Barfee. That must be tough…
Barfee is one of my toughest roles. I play an autistic character. There’s a very thin line between being autistic and mentally challenged.
Barfee is one of my toughest roles. I play an autistic character. There’s a very thin line between being autistic and mentally challenged.
Your look in Kunal Kohli’s untitled film has created a buzz…I’m doing a romantic comedy after a while. So being in this light space is refreshing. It’s too early to talk about the look but you know me na, I can’t do anything normal. (Laughs)
You’re working with Shahid Kapoor in Barfee again after Kaminey.
Shahid is a great co-actor and a fantastic actor. He’s also someone I know really well. Amidst jokes and laughter we don’t realise how time passes.
Shahid is a great co-actor and a fantastic actor. He’s also someone I know really well. Amidst jokes and laughter we don’t realise how time passes.
How easy or difficult is it being friends with your ex?
It’s a individual thing.
It’s a individual thing.
Reportedly, you had problems with your co-actress Illeana D’Cruz in Barfee.
I’ve never even met her.
I’ve never even met her.
Reportedly, Katrina Kaif was signed on for Illeana’s role but later she walked out. Were there some issues between you two?
I don’t have any trouble with Katrina. I don’t know what happened and why she walked out.
I don’t have any trouble with Katrina. I don’t know what happened and why she walked out.
You had signed three films opposite Saif Ali Khan but none have seen the light of day…
Yes, but somehow they didn’t work out.
Yes, but somehow they didn’t work out.
Does it have something to do with Kareena’s proximity with Saif…
I don’t think Kareena would be so petty or small-minded. The films didn’t work out due to professional reasons.
I don’t think Kareena would be so petty or small-minded. The films didn’t work out due to professional reasons.
If you were a film journalist, which celeb would you follow and what secrets would you unravel?The greatest challenge for me would be to get a quote from Priyanka Chopra about what’s happening in her personal life as she never talks about it.
If you were to interview Shahid, what would you ask him?
Just before a shot he becomes very quiet and goes into a zone for like four minutes. I always wonder what he’s thinking about then.
Just before a shot he becomes very quiet and goes into a zone for like four minutes. I always wonder what he’s thinking about then.
If you woke up as Salman Khan one morning…
Oh I love Salman! I love the way he lives his life on his own terms. Just being Salman Khan would be enough. The only thing I’d do is take out his Harley Davidson and go riding around Bandstand.
Oh I love Salman! I love the way he lives his life on his own terms. Just being Salman Khan would be enough. The only thing I’d do is take out his Harley Davidson and go riding around Bandstand.
If you were to pick 10 men who’d compete in Priyanka Ka Swayamvar, who would they be?
It’s difficult to choose 10 men but I can give you an idea of what he should be like. He should be confident and successful. A man’s confident only when he’s successful. (Laughs) I have a really long list but there’s no harm in wishing.
It’s difficult to choose 10 men but I can give you an idea of what he should be like. He should be confident and successful. A man’s confident only when he’s successful. (Laughs) I have a really long list but there’s no harm in wishing.
Which 10 people would you like to watch in the Bigg Boss house?
I’d like to watch Ashu sir (Ashutosh Gowariker) and Sajid Khan, Rakhi Sawant and Mika Singh. Also Rekha. There’s a mystery about her. I’d like to know what she does on a regular day. I’m a big fan of Dolly Bindra too. My ears would turn red whenever she’d talk. I love Daler Mehendi. And in the midst of all this I’d love to see Shashi Tharoor, Kamal R Khan incessantly, Jitesh Pillai and Karan Johar.
I’d like to watch Ashu sir (Ashutosh Gowariker) and Sajid Khan, Rakhi Sawant and Mika Singh. Also Rekha. There’s a mystery about her. I’d like to know what she does on a regular day. I’m a big fan of Dolly Bindra too. My ears would turn red whenever she’d talk. I love Daler Mehendi. And in the midst of all this I’d love to see Shashi Tharoor, Kamal R Khan incessantly, Jitesh Pillai and Karan Johar.
If you were stuck in a lift with Kareena what would you do?
Whenever we meet we discuss vacations. I’m jealous of her holidays because I never take any.
Whenever we meet we discuss vacations. I’m jealous of her holidays because I never take any.
If you could go back to an era, which would it be?
The ’60s. I’d like to be like Mumtaz. Asha Parekh mam was telling me how there would be so much politics but still they spoke so kindly of each other. They’d behave with adab (respect), tehzeeb (etiquette) and tameez (manners). But actually in their heads they’d be thinking something else. That was the era of the stars. Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna… they were larger than life.
The ’60s. I’d like to be like Mumtaz. Asha Parekh mam was telling me how there would be so much politics but still they spoke so kindly of each other. They’d behave with adab (respect), tehzeeb (etiquette) and tameez (manners). But actually in their heads they’d be thinking something else. That was the era of the stars. Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna… they were larger than life.
