Leading men are objectified as films are promoted based on their bodie

Priyanka Chopra once rightly claimed that she has the 'act' in actress. The 'exotic' star, who has proved her acting mettle one time too many, became a trend-setter when she made a global mark with her singing career. Priyanka spoke with Pinkvilla about her three grand releases in 2015, a grand family wedding, and her thoughts on winning the Sexiest Asian' poll. In the midst of the million projects that she is into, PC also mentioned how she is watching out for her sisters Parineeti and Mannara, trying to protect them from any bad tidings in Bollywood. Read on...

So you have been voted the Sexiest Asian' for a second time, by an international poll. What do you think got you the win this year?

I don't know what the reason is, because, a year ago also, I had won it. I don't know why I had won it. See, sexy is such a strange word, and is so subjective to a person. It could be that I have done an amazing song, or a film like Mary Kom' which had nothing to do with sexy (laughs). But I've always believed that sexy is what sexy does, so I must be doing something right.. and I am okay with just that! (Laughs)

You've also won a popular Indian poll for popularity, done by a leading newspaper.

It's a great feeling to have, people so strongly standing in your corner. When I get such recognition, I feel like I am leading a march (laughs) with five people standing on my side, or millions!

You are a UNICEF ambassador in India, and are now bringing the film Girl Rising' here. What's your take on objectification of women on Hindi cinema today?

(Smiles) Have you seen the levels of objectification of the boys? Have you seen them walk around with their muscles, with their shirts off and with slow motion walks? Objectification is objectification. When it comes to the arts, like cinema, it's a very individual thing. Saying, item girls' for heroines makes for big headlines sure. Films are a creative art, there has to be freedom of expression. Leading men are a lot more objectified, films are being promoted these days on the basis of their bodies, so that's objectification too, isn't it?

Films with strong female parts are doing very well, that's a positive reflection that some films can be empowering. And that's a huge achievement. It's a great time for leading women in Hindi cinema currently.

You've got a family wedding coming up. Tell us about the plans.

The plans are to make it extremely intimate, and very family driven. It's a Punjabi wedding, so it will be boisterous and loud. We have a HUGE family. And the guest list is currently 200 people who are JUST family. Then there are friends. So it's going to be almost like a reunion, and everyone is flying down from everywhere around the world. It will be like a whole load of NORMAL and that's wonderful!

You've been a source of support for Parineeti & Mannara, your cousins. When you made your debut, was it a lot lonelier?

Yeah it was! I always tell Parineeti & Mannara, and my other cousins who are doing other things, that by God's grace, I have been put in a position today, for whatever it's worth, I am a little bit of a force to reckon with. Because I am there, you can go fly. They are adults, they will do what they want to, and I don't control them with ropes.

My dad always told me, whatever you do come back and tell me, so I will pick you up if you fall. If somebody messes with you, they've to deal with me (laughs). They (Parineeti & Mannara) take their own decisions, but if they need it, they have my home to come to. I have the experience to protect them! Be it Parineeti, Mannara or Meera or a cousin who is studying biochemistry in some island university (laughs).

I want them (Parineeti & Mannara) to feel the freedom of taking chances now, because you have some one to fight your battles for you. I didn't have that when I entered Bollywood and it was very scary. I didn't know what's the right choice, how to behave, who to speak with.

And it took me a lot of years, about 6-7 years, on how to be a Hindi film actress. I didn't have uncles, or aunties, or hadn't' grown up with my colleagues. I didn't know, how does one behave, in a film party, or how to networking. Being a private person, I still don't know how to do it.

Is that why your personal life has also been scrutinized a lot more, because you are an outsider?

No no, not because I am an outsider. I think people consider me important, and that's why they scrutinize my personal life. I also think people scrutinize my personal life because I don't talk about it. Curiosity killed the cat! I have been very personal about my personal life from the very beginning so of course people don't want to talk about it.

Final question- the Bollywood awards season is just around the corner. I won't be the first to tell you that you have a strong chance of winning most for Mary Kom'.

Oh, this pressure please!! It always happens to me, people say I am a sure shot winner and somebody else takes away the prize. So I don't want to go in with all these expectations. So my biggest victory is how positively girls felt, and how empowered women felt after watching "Mary Kom'. She got the recognition that is due to her, with many more people knowing her story.

A lot more schoolgirls have told me that they found confidence after watching the film, and that to me, is my greatest victory. Through my work, if I can make even 2-3 girls feel empowered, that's a great win.