Priyanka Chopra: Nothing is Impossible

How has the past year been for you professionally and personally?
It has been very conflicting. Professionally, there was Kaminey, which was hugely satisfying for me. The response I got for my work in the film, the response the film got and the whole experience of working with Vishal Bhardwaj was fantastic. I shot for What's Your Raashee? in 2009, I gave it my heart and soul and it broke my heart when the film didn't do well. But the opportunity to work with Ashu sir (Ashutosh Gowariker) was wonderful. Personally, I was unwell and it was a very stressful year.

In Pyaar Impossible!, you fall for a geek. In real life too, do you always fall for a geek?
Actually, I've always been the geek. In school I used to be very quiet, shy and an introvert. I remember in the ninth standard I had a huge crush on this guy who had green hair and was a rocker. He didn't even know I existed until I had to give him mathematics tuitions. I was always very good at math. I used to love quadratics, which was my favourite subject. So I was a complete geek. Nothing came of that though because I never said anything. So I understand what it's like for a geek to be in love with someone.

Hurman Baweja said in an interview that you never told him that the two of you were no longer together and that she had moved on. What's your side to this story?
Well I've never really felt the need to discuss my relationships. What needs to happen between two people should happen between two people and not in public. I don't feel the need to defend myself or comment on this.

Why are a lot of celebrities in denial of their relationships?
But celebrities always live in a fish bowl. You're a public person and everyone wants to know everything about you. You can't deny that. It's a personal choice. Some like to talk about it and some don't. I'm a very shy person and I prefer not to talk about my personal life until there is something substantial I can say or there's a situation I need to speak about. I like to keep my personal life to myself because it's something very private. Everything else I can talk about.

Your take on homosexuality?
I'm all for gay rights and I believe people should be free to live the way they want to. We live in a democratic world and that's what democracy is all about. Love is love whether you're homosexual, heterosexual or omnisexual. It's very important to accept who you are and not live a lie.

Are you ready to see two men or two women hold hands and kiss on the streets?
I don't think we as a country are ready to see men and women kissing, so forget about people of the same gender doing it. We're a society that comes with closed minds and closed eyes. If I had a boyfriend I don't think I'd hold his hand in front of my parents. Public display of affection is something I've never done and I don't think I ever can. But when it comes to tolerance I believe everyone has the right to live the way they want to.

Today, women make lots more money than men.
(Grins) I wish I could say that. In my profession men are making much more money. I think society has become more individualistic rather than gender based. Gender doesn't matter anymore. If you're good at your job, you're going to get what you deserve professionally. And I think this is a great time to be in this industry.