FILM INTERVIEW: PRIYANKA CHOPRA
It would appear Piggy Chops is sitting pretty as one of Bollywood’s finest actresses
Bollywood leading lady and Dostana star Priyanka Chopra may get bored rather easily, but not so much that she wants to take her own life like her character, Kiara, tries to do in Siddharth Anand’s romantic comedy Anjaana Anjaani. A Sajid Nadiadwala production also starring Ranbir Kapoor and Zayed Khan releasing on September 24th, Priyanka, the former Miss World and Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi 3 host who recently turned down Jay Sean’s invitation to sing with him, told reporters, at the Kingdom of Dreams, that she makes every effort to diversify her life.
Gearing up for the Colors television channel reality show program shot in Brazil, Priyanka believes there is a strong correlation between success and bored avoidance.
“Doing something different is what makes acting fun. I get bored of doing the same thing every day myself,” the award-winning star of Fashion confessed to the Indian media as she promoted Anjaana Anjaani. “When you are challenged with something, you want to perform better; you want to do well. And when you get success out of something which is hugely challenging, the satisfaction and gratification is tremendous. I think that has been an ambition for me.”
Perhaps her ambition to challenge herself stops at hosting the latest Fear Factor season instead of actually taking part in the show featuring interactions between unsavory critters and wild stunts both underwater and in mid-air, yet Piggy Chops is not afraid to “challenge” perceptions of suicide and tackle the sensitive issue via cinematic creativity.
Indeed, Anjaana Anjaani aptly touches upon a sensitive issue, as Siddharth Anand presents two strangers, portrayed by Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor, who randomly cross paths when they arrive at the same place to kill themselves.
Priyanka shared her thoughts on how well Anjaana Anjaani tackles suicide while also chiming in her two paisa on the issue.
“With so many suicides happening, it is a topic of discussion in India now. The greatest thing about this film, I feel, is that it is the window which shows you shouldn’t do that — you never know when life will turn around,” the Don star opined to the press during her chat with reporters at the Kingdom of Dreams. “Give yourself an opportunity. This message is conveyed in a beautiful way through the film.”
Perhaps Priyanka’s positive perspective is heavily influenced by her own success as a Bollywood star. Reportedly one of Hindi cinema’s highest-paid actresses, the Filmfare Award-winner has been dubbed as the “number one” thespian in Indian film.
Naturally, Priyanka will point out how things indeed do “turn around” rather quickly, especially for the 28-year-old actress who worked rather hard to arrive at the top after winning a Filmfare for Best Female Debut (Andaaz, also starring Akshay Kumar and Lara Dutta) and launching her Bollywood career opposite Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta in the 2003 film Hero: Love Story of a Spy.
“Being number one is always flattering. I work really hard. I come from a very normal, middle-class background. I am an army officer’s daughter,” she passionately yet humbly told the press. “It feels great to see where I have reached now. God has given me so much; I feel really blessed.”
While Priyanka indicated suicide had never crossed her mind, she did narrate the struggles she had to endure in order to earn the privilege to even be mentioned as one of Bollywood’s top actresses.
“It is definitely difficult when you arrive in the film industry without knowing anyone,” she stated to the press. “There is nobody coming to you saying, ‘Okay, I am making a film for you.’ When people don’t like your work, you are written off. However, at the end, you are only known by the work you do.”
The former Miss World has indeed built quite the resume, as aficionados and casual fans of Indian cinema alike are all very aware of the work Piggy Chops has indeed done. Her resume includes Filmfare Awards for Best Debut, Best Villain (Aitraaz), and Best Actress (Fashion). She has also won a National Film Award for Best Actress (also for Fashion).
In addition, Piggy Chops earned an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records last year when she played 12 different roles in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s What’s Your Rashee?
Oh, she also headlined in several other Bollywood blockbusters, such as Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, Dostana, Don and Kaminey, each earning big dollars at the box office while also drawing critical acclaim and rave reviews.
Sure, it would appear Priyanka is sitting pretty as one of Bollywood’s finest actresses. This weekend, Hindi film fans around the world will have a chance to see whether Piggy Chops can convincingly portray a persona her apparent opposite as she takes on the suicidal Kiara in Anjaana Anjaani.
Anjaani Anjaani opens in theaters around the world on September 24th.
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