With seven awards, it's been a 'fantastic' start: Priyanka Chopra

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) It's not even halfway down the year, but Priyanka Chopra already has reasons enough to say 2009 has been 'fantastic' for her. The star has already walked away with seven awards including an international honour.

'It's been a fantastic start to 2009. Awards mean a lot to me. After you work so hard, the award validates your work. So every award has a very special place in my heart and gives me a huge sense of achievement and encouragement,' Priyanka told IANS over e-mail.

Priyanka, who scorched the screen with distinct roles in films like 'Fashion' and 'Dostana', was bestowed the Nielsen Box Office Award for outstanding contribution to Asian cinema at the Third Annual Asian Film Awards held in Hong Kong last month.

She says the award is an encouragement for her to perform better.

'I have only been in the Indian film industry for about five years now and so it was a huge surprise and an honour to have been conferred the award. This is my first international award and is definitely an encouragement for me as an actor to perform better. It was a proud moment for me to represent India at the Asian Film Awards,' she said.

The 26-year-old actress, who won the Miss World title in 2000, also walked away with the Filmfare best actress award for her performance as a supermodel in Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Fashion'.

For the same film, Priyanka also bagged the best actress award at the STAR Screen Awards, Lions Club Gold Awards as well as the Stardust Awards.

'I feel privileged to have been given the chance to essay a complex character like Meghna Mathur in 'Fashion' and I'm truly overwhelmed by the appreciation I have received,' she said.

'I am very grateful for the support I have received, be it from my directors and co-stars to the technicians on each film. Without them, it would not have been possible,' Priyanka added.

These apart, the now three-time Filmfare award winner also received an honour at the 10th FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Frames this year for her contribution to entertainment and was also given a best brand ambassador award at the NDTV Profit Car and Bike Awards.

And Priyanka can expect some more prizes with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards approaching soon.

Till then, she is busy working hard for her forthcoming films - Ashutosh Gowariker's 'What's Your Raashee?' opposite Hurman S. Baweja and Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Kaminay' alongside Shahid Kapur.