On a winning spree
She's lifted every trophy in sight this year and backed it up with the
box-office success of Dostana and Kaminey. By essaying 12 roles in
What's Your Raashee?, she's poised to make it to the Guinness Book of
World Records. Priyanka Chopra has also just snagged a Levis
endorsement. The desi gal is racing ahead to the top spot. Catching up
with the winsome miss..
How was your holiday? Hope you got to relax and recoup.Oh,
I just took a four-day holiday to Koh Samui in Thailand. I had to come
back for I am stuck in the commitment-responsibility thing.
Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the beaches and the atmosphere there.
I was being a complete beach- bum, I used to just sit around and sleep
on the beach. As a result, I am nicely tanned.
Are you still reeling under the success of Kaminey?I
won a lot of appreciation for Fashion and also for Dostana. Kaminey
came as a cherry on the top because it was altogether unexpected. It's
always been my endeavour to try and do as many different things in
every film as possible, which is difficult, considering that I do
four-five films a year. But I like to give each film a little bit extra
and provide entertainment that people find refreshing.
Which is the best compliment you received for Kaminey and how do you handle all this adulation?People
have called me the best in this generation, that I was the most natural
actor of the decade – I got some great compliments from filmmakers and
actors. All this praise scares me, I feel like - oh my God, I have to
live up to it. I am trying not to let expectations get to my head.
What is that one Maharashtrian trait or phrase that you have carried forward from Kaminey?Shee baba.. I say that a lot now.
What's the most challenging part about playing a dozen parts in What's Your Raashee? (WYR?)?WYR?
is a different movie - a family entertainer and a rom-com with a twist
to it. Playing 12 different parts in the age group of 15 to 24 was very
intriguing for me, that's the kind of cinema I pick up. The most
challenging part about WYR? was not changing my clothes and hair, I do
that all the time, I had 157 changes in Fashion. It was challenging to
play 12 different people without the help of prosthetics or make-up. I
haven't used a fatter nose or shorter self in the film. Physically, I
am one person, I have had to change my body language, voice and acting.
And that didn't come easy.
You play 12 girls belonging to all
the Zodiac signs. Being a Cancerian yourself, do you identify with the
Cancer girl in the film?I do - a Cancerian has a lot of
strength and resilience and yet she's emotional. She keeps her feelings
to herself, yet she's very honest. That is a lot like me.
Are you excited to be included in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing maximum number of roles in a film?If this does happen, it will be phenomenal. I'm overjoyed and honoured to be a part of this record-breaking film.
You always say that you are a director's actor. What did you pick up from director Ashutosh Gowariker this time?Ashu's
sense of technique. I have tried to incorporate that in everyday
working. For instance the shot break -up - he's made his film even
before we come on the sets, that for me was a revelation. He's so
well-prepared. Playing 12 girls became that much easier for me as we
spent a lot of time prepping. Any ways, I become my director's doormat
when I start doing a film with him. I become very possessive about my
directors - I land up at their office for a cup of coffee or drop by
randomly - I just like to know them well. I enjoyed meeting Ashu for
many a discussion.
What about your special co-star Harman? How has he coped starring opposite 12 of you?I
have known Harman Baweja even before I was an actor. I have known him
for years now, he also knows me tremendously well. If he was not on
this film I wonder how I would have played 12 parts. He was hugely
supportive - I was cranky and emotional as I was handling so much
stress. But he was always at peace, always calm, always supportive of
me, never trying to outdo me at any point. We were an amalgamation of
each other, that's why the scenes have come out brilliantly. Harman is
an extremely talented actor. I am sure with WYR? people will recognise
his worth.
This is the first time that two Chopras will be the lead pair of a film - Pyar Impossible(PI).Oh,
Uday is such a darling, PI has been one of my most favourite films to
shoot. I was shooting three of my most difficult films - Fashion,
Kaminey and WYR? when PI came my way.
It is a simple love story
about a beauty and a geek. He's in love with an unattainable beauty and
doesn't know how to get her and how this beauty who is a princess in
his head is really a simple girl.
Any more films with YRF?Not as yet
With your next film Anjaana Anjaani co-starring Ranbir Kapoor shot entirely in the US, you will be back in your zone.What are you saying? My zone is my home! And I am an army officer's daughter, I can adjust myself anywhere.
What will your next two ventures be?The
details are being finalised, but I can tell you that one is a rom-com
and the other one is a dark drama. Both are daringly different.
What's the most enjoyable part about being an actor?The
power of creation. An actor has the potential of creating a character.
Most of us aren't even aware of it, I didn't know of it till Drona.
With Drona, I realised how I could create a character that was another
person and not Priyanka Chopra.
Did you feel let down when experiments like Drona and Love Story 2050 didn't work?I
have broken away from my comfort-zone with every film last year. I like
to get up up in the morning and ask, what am I doing on the sets today?
I like the power of creation. I have been experimenting - some have
done well, some haven't. Like Drona and Love Story 2050 were
pathbreaking films, whenver people talk about SFX in Indian cinema,
these two films will be mentioned.
Fashion was also a huge
experiment. I went with Madhur's belief and fortunately for me the film
did well with just female protagonists. That was a big achievement for
me. Getting critical acclaim and box-office success for Dostana which
was a rom com with a difference, touching upon homosexuality - was a
blessing.
Kaminey was a completely different movie, yet catering
it to intelligent audience. I pick up a film that I'd want to go watch,
I work with directors who can direct me with honesty when I come on the
sets.
Does the numbers game affect you? How do you cope with the competition around you?
It
does affect me, I like to know what the public perception is. But I
won't let it come in the field of my thinking. I am very honest to my
work and I am fortunate that I get to pick some fantastic movies. I am
popular, my films are successful at the box office, critics like my
work, people like me as a person - God has given me everything. So I
might as well focus on my work and on being a good human being.
Which co-stars are on your wish list now? Aamir?
I
haven't worked with Aamir, Saif Ali Khan and Imran Khan yet. I sure
with so many films being made and with so few actors around, we will be
paired together soon. But I never take up films because of my co-stars.
I have always had a reason for doing a film and usually it's never the
co-star.
Okay so what does a girl who has everything wish for next?
I am so certain that I don't have everything! I am looking for happiness and contentment ahead.
Did you pay a thanksgiving visit to Ganesh mandal this year?
I
went to Andheri cha Raja recently to pay my respect to God has been
very kind to me and this is the beginning of a new year for me with
What's Your Raashee? and Pyaar Impossible releasing by the end of this
year and then I shoot for Anjaana Anjaani. In the new year, I will take
on three more films. I am hoping God will keep his hand on my head as
he's always done.
Quo vadis, PC?
I am headed for Toronto film festival where WYR? will be premiered on September 16.
- Screen India
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