No one has a claim on me: Priyanka Chopra

"No one has a claim on me..."

The West has rolled out a red carpet for her and she feels right at home. Whether it's impressing the fashion police with her appearance at the Oscars or breaking social media with her Baywatch announcements, Priyanka Chopra is conquering a new frontier in the West, every single day. In the little time that she spends at home, she's like an energiser bunny. She's on the move nonstop. She's recording, she's shooting, she's posing for the camera and she has enough time to even go give her granny a warm hug. That's the essence of Priyanka. She brings a lot of cheer and warmth with her. She makes plenty of new friends but she doesn't forget the old ones. And life seems to reciprocate the same. So if Quantico is winning awards in Hollywood, back home she's winning raves for Jai Gangaajal. In the blitzkrieg of attention and adulation, Priyanka has her feet firm on the ground. In an intimate chat she talks about making her father proud and continuing to push the envelope. Friends, family and fame are all an integral part of this phenomenal girl. Excerpts from a candid conversation:

Your fame has cut across continents. What would your father, the late Dr Ashok Chopra, have said today had he been around?
(Smiles) I guess, he's sitting out there and watching over me. Dad passed away two years back. Since then just look at my career. I had no interest going international. I did music because I love music. I met some cool musicians and worked with them. Like Will I Am, DMX, Pitbull. I've sat in the same room as Bruce Springsteen and had dinner with him. Bonno knows my name. I met these amazing people as a music fan girl. But I never saw it as a career. It's just like after I became Miss World, I didn't know anyone from the movies. Opportunities came my way and I worked hard at them. I believe in destiny. But how much you give of yourself is all that matters. When you have the zest to be excellent, nobody can deny your success even if they hate you. It was a huge risk doing Quantico. I'd have to come back with my tail tucked between my legs if it didn't do well. But I worked hard, sat with the writers to understand not just my character but everything around the show. And now it's become mine. I'm proud of it.

Does taking risks bring you joy?
No. I find my joy on set. I find my joy in everyday existence. Of course, I have sad days. It's not that I'm always happy. But the pursuit of happiness and excellence is what I live for. When I walk on the set wearing my costume ready to say my lines, that's pure joy for me. Between action' and cut' is pure joy for me. I was never supposed to become an actor. That's why I believe in destiny. I got thrown into this and I learnt it. I've worked with such amazing directors - Prakash Jha, Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir, Vishal Bharadwaj, Anurag Basu... You sit and discuss and suddenly you've created a new person.

What other things bring you joy?
I get pure joy when I meet my friends like the recent holiday I had with them. I find joy in little things. The first thing I do when I land in Mumbai is have nariyal pani direct from a coconut. That's joy. You get it in cans abroad, it tastes so bad. In Mumbai, I keep gorging on samosas, bhel puri and dahi chaat. Big things and tangible things don't define you. They come and go. Maybe, I'm saying it because I have it all. But I've worked bloody hard to get here. Coming back, when I was younger, joy to me was pinching my brother Sidharth and making him cry. (Laughs) Because he'd make a funny face.

Apart from a fun side, everyone has a dark side. Do you too?
I've always had a dark side. When I'm happy I forget about it. As a Cancerian I'm moody. It's is difficult for people around me to keep up with my moods. (Laughs) My dark side is like my shadow. I draw from it when I want to be evil.

At this point, what does competition mean to you?
Competition for me has always meant to outdo myself. Actors have come and gone but their success or failure hasn't altered my career. I don't understand politics when it comes to cinema. I came into the business without knowing anyone. I've no uncles, aunties or friends here. I've only got work on merit. Yes, I've made some amazing friends in the industry who stand by me through thick and thin. Filmmakers have come with roles written for me. It's not because I'm good at networking. I'm the worst person when it comes to that. I don't know how to do dinners and parties. At times, I've not got work because I didn't do all these things.

Then what worked for you?
You can't deny my merit. So far I've survived on that. That's why I get along so well with my female co-actors. Because I'm not at all competing with them. I believe one person alone doesn't make a film. Those hundred faceless people behind it make the film. Just because our face is on the poster, we take credit for it. And I'm not trying to be saintly. Every single crew member contributes... my make-up dada, my hairstylist who made all those curls for Kashi (Bajirao Mastani) with his hands to make it seem authentic, my costume designer Anju Modi, the lighting team. I'm spiritual about my job.

How ambitious are you?
Ambition is my passion. It's not wrong to be ambitious. Women, especially, feel apologetic about being ambitious. My pursuit is excellence. Success is not the destination. Your film becomes a hit; people applaud and say, You've become the No.1 heroine!' But what if the next one flops? Then the same people will say, Oh, she couldn't make it.' I'm blessed people still want to watch me and love my work. But it's only because success is a journey. You have to be consistently successful. Only then will you be called successful. I don't have a name to my ambition. I just keep climbing. Will Smith once said, "I'm a climber, so if I see a mountain, I have to climb it. I'm not a camper; I don't like hanging in one place too long." I love this quote.

The emotional satisfaction that good work brings must be way beyond the money...
Of course, everyone should be paid for the work they do. But I've never chosen work based on money. I believe in doing good films. I've done smaller films at half my price. If the film is a hit then you're a hit. I've understood that the product is beyond everything. Beyond you, beyond cheques, it's for a lifetime. Your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren will know you because of what they see of you on celluloid.

Are you open to doing more films in Hollywood?
I work on my own terms. If a film comes my way, which is worthy of my position and who I am as an actor, of course I'll do it. Language is no barrier. Many Hollywood films have come my way. I've a certain stature with the kind of work that I've done in India. I don't want to negate that. I have no desperation to prove a point.

Heard you're entering the regional territory.
Currently, I'm producing three regional films under my production company Purple Pebbles Pictures with amazing directors and great stories. I want to give opportunities to new talent. Talent that doesn't find expression. I came from Bareilly, I didn't know anyone here. I was fortunate my first film did well. I started getting work on merit. But I was thrown out of so many films because someone else was recommended or somebody's girlfriend was brought in. I don't believe actors should be punished for not knowing people. You could be good. Whether you're a writer, actor, or musician. So I want to attach my name to cinema that needs a voice.
First we will make cinema in regional languages. I'll produce films in Hindi also. But Hindi is tricky because they want to make them with me. And with Quantico, I can't allot much time here. I can only do two films along with it. This year, I've been offered a variety of such amazing scripts but I'll have to let go. It breaks my heart. I'm such a greedy actor.

Heard you bought a new house recently...
I've bought a new house but it's not my dream house. It's the in-between. I haven't found the spot that hits your heart. I've seen every bungalow in Juhu. But it hasn't hit home. So I have an apartment in Juhu. I live alone there. I've moved out of my mother's house who's having withdrawal symptoms. In Montreal too, I live alone. At 33, it's the first time I'm living alone. Which is stupid because I was never independent. I was always looked after. Suddenly, I'm living by myself. I have staff and help but no mom, no family. So I'm responsible for all my decisions.

How does it feel to be on your own?
Grown up! Guess that's why my mother wanted me to get a new house. She wanted me to grow up. She said, You need to have your own home, you're an independent girl, you need to live by yourself, order dinner yourself. When you get married you have to take care of your own home na.' So she's teaching me things. Now she's regretting it though as she's missing me.

Do men on the set of Quantico hit on you?
They're all married or in a relationship. We share this beautiful platonic relationship with each other because everyone has a significant other. Their wives and kids are on the set. I'm obsessed with their babies. We all share things about our relationships. It's lovely. It's not awkward in any sense.

So do they know who your loved one is?
(Laughs) Nobody knows that. C'mon! When there is a ring on my finger, which is actually given to me, then I'll tell the world. Till then no one can claim me.

And when will that happen?
When it's the right time. When the stars align. When circumstances come together. It may happen, it may never happen. Who knows? Why does a girl have to be defined by marriage? I don't want to be known by it.

How do you make up for the time you spend away from your loved ones?
Loved ones travel. Like my mother always travels.