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What is the film about?
Kiara and Akash, the characters that Priyanka and I play, respectively, meet on a bridge where they both want to commit suicide. But they decide that they will live another twenty days and fulfill all their wishes and live life to the fullest. The film is a love story spanning twenty days. They get to know each other, realize their dreams, get to know themselves, and a lot more.
Have you ever fallen in love with a stranger?
Fortunately or unfortunately, that has not happened with me. I have known the people I have dated for a long time or at least a period of time. Abhi tak, koi anjaani se pyaar nahi hua! But you never know what will happen in the future.
Tell us about the pranks on the set.
We shot Anjaana Anjaani over 100 days in the US: we travelled to New York, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. Siddharth is my family friend and I have grown up with him. He is a big prankster on the set, so is Priyanka. Siddharth used to have food fights with everyone, if he did not want to share his food and he would even spit in his food for that.
No one can play a prank on Priyanka because when she finds out, she will give a backhand slap! You cannot play a prank on Khatron Ki Khiladi but she used to participate in and play a lot of pranks on us.
Which, according to you, is Priyanka Chopra's best performance?
I would like to say Chamku! Jokes apart, I loved Priyanka's performance in Kaminey. She was phenomenal in that role which was not even author-backed. She made Sweety's character her own and shone completely in that film even though it was not her film. I do not think any other actor would have played the role as effortlessly as she did. Anyway, she is a fine National-Award and Apsara-award winning (Laughs) actress.
I think Priyanka is a very strong and dominating woman, and women are supposed to be like that. Women are superior to men, anyway.
| You have said that you do not want the film to release on 24 September. Please comment. Anjaana-Anjaani is a film about wishes and the safety and harmony of our country is our biggest wish. Our film is very special but the country is more special to us. 24 September is an important day in the history of India. We do not have good memories of the day. I have requested the producer to shift the release date because I do not want to celebrate my film on such a day because our energies need to be with the verdict. We just hope and pray that the final decision is not in conflict with anyone's mindset, it benefits everyone, and maintains the peace and harmony of the country which is more important than any film. We are trying to talk to Sajid Nadiadwala and Eros but it becomes difficult once the release date is set as theatres are booked and prints are delivered. We are still trying to push the release date by a week. |
This is your second film with Siddharth Anand, the only director you have worked twice with. What is your equation with him?
Siddharth is a family friend of mine and I have grown up with him. He is a fun guy and he is genuinely passionate about films which is why he is very filmy. His style of film-making is very different from the rest. If you watch Salaam Namaste, Ta Ra Rum Pum, or Bachna Ae Haseeno, you can see his stamp. He does not steal references from people and he has his own style. He is very hard-working and he loves eating so the food on the sets is very good. The atmosphere with him around is always fun and positive and it feels like a family. When the atmosphere is positive, it has to reflect on screen.
How filmy are you? What does love mean to you?
I have grown up in a film family and filmy moments are very real for me. If something real happens, then it feels strange (Laughs).
You have been lauded for every film you have acted in and have had more hits than flops. How nervous are you regarding Anjaana-Anjaani?
I will be nervous with every film, whether I have four flops behind me or ten super hits! I do my best and try to be different with every film and once the film is complete, I leave to its fate. I can talk about the film but I cannot change anything about it. I can only hope and pray that people like the film but since they are spending their hard-earned money on it, they have every right not to like it and everybody has different tastes. Yet, acting in films is my job and I put in my best efforts so I want audiences to give the film a chance by watching it at least once
Do you think the media is very invasive? Do actors need the press more or it vice-versa?
I think the media and celebrities are in a marriage; everything is give-and-take. I do not think actors need the press more or vice-versa. It should work as a good combination. Sometimes, as actors we get good press and at times, we get bad press. The bottom-line is that actors and press cannot do without each other.
| Your parents are promoting Do Dooni Chaar and you are promoting Anjaana-Anjaani, how does that feel? It feels great because every morning, while having breakfast we discuss where we are going for promotions! Everyone in my family is doing something related to films at the same time! My parents are very excited about DDC and I am more excited than them because they are coming together on screen after 30 years. I saw the film a month ago and it is a very nice movie. I hope people love it too. |
Don't you want to do an action movie? What are your next films?
I want to do an action movie and I have received offers but have not liked any as yet. When I do an action movie, I will work-out extra and do it with a lot of dedication so that people are convinced when they watch me on screen.
I have Imtiaz Ali's Rock Star and Anurag Basu's Silence after Anjaana-Anjaani.
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