NEWSMAKERS
Priyanka decoded
RESHMA S. KULKARNI
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She’s looking great and has a range of new releases lined up. Priyanka Chopra on why she’s thrilled with life right now.
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The diva-esque Priyanka Chopra, who was missing after “Salaam-e-Ishq” and “Big Brother” last year, is back in a hot new avatar and a slew of mega releases lined up in 2008. Priyanka gets vocal about all the action in her life
right now.
Tell us about “Love Story 2050”.
“Love Story 2050” is a romantic saga that begins in 2008 and moves onto 2050. It’s the first time I’m playing a double role and that’s also why I’m super-excited. It has been a challenge playing a futuristic girl for whom I had no reference point.
Yes, the film has been making news also because of my hair-raising tales (laughs). My hair was ruined due to colouring it red twice. But I got a sassy new short hairstyle.
You are not commenting on the ripples created by the chemistry between you and Harman…..
If you are asking about the ripples on-screen, we share a great rapport with each other and Harman is a fantastic actor who knows his craft well.
If you are hinting about our ‘affair’, I wouldn’t like to say anything. I’m tired of speculations, irrespective of the clarifications we offer. Also, our lives are so open to public scrutiny that I prefer to keep a bit of my private life private.
What do you have to say about Harman being compared with Hrithik Roshan, since you have worked with Hrithik too?
No debutant can escape comparisons. Shah Rukh was compared to Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik to Shah Rukh and so is the case with Harman. The comparisons will die once people see what Harman can bring to the table. Both, Harman and Hrithik are fabulous dancers and very committed individuals but, beyond that, they are two different entities.
2008 will showcase a lot of Priynaka Chopra, won’t it? Tell us about your other projects.
After “LS 2050”, there’s Madhur Bhandarkar’s “Fashion”, Karan Johar’s “Dostana”, Rumi Jaffrey’s “God Tussi Great Ho”, Goldie Behl’s “Drona”, to be followed later by Vishal Bharadwaj’s “Kameenay”, Ashutosh Gowariker’s “What’s Your Raashi” and Kabir Kaushik’s “Chamku”!
Why is your schedule so choc-a-block? Don’t you feel like chilling out?
I love my work 120 per cent! And that’s how I like to chill out because when you enjoy what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like work. I don’t miss a normal life either. I go clubbing, hang out with friends, visit restaurants, and do all the stuff that girls my age do.
Does the love for experimenting — learning martial arts for “Drona” or colouring your hair for “LS 2050” — stem from passion for work?
Of course! I’m game as long as it makes my character look stand out. I had a field day learning martial arts for “Drona” and earlier “Don”. Though my father was shocked to see me as a red-head; that too was great fun. Presently, I’m taking tuitions in Marathi for my role in “Kameeney”.
Tell us about the much-discussed “Fashion”.
“Fashion” has been a great experience because of its modelling background. But though I had a sense of déjÀ vu since Meghna (my character) comes from a small town and makes it big in the fashion world, it is not a semi-autobiographical take. There were occasions when a particular scene or dialogues reminded me of my life.
You and Kangana bonded fabulously, isn’t it?
Yes; we bonded well on the sets. She’s very down-to-earth and doesn’t hesitate asking for advice. I like her simplicity.
Have you got a chance to bond with Abhishek Bachchan after “Bluffmaster”, since you are doing two projects with him?
We bonded fabulously while shooting for “Drona” and recently “Dostana” and had a whale of a time sight-seeing and eating out. Marriage has not changed AB. He’s the same prankster and great fun to have around.
Is it true that you will be donning a bikini in “Dostana”?
No, I’m wearing a lot of swimwear in “Dostana”, but no bikinis.
And what about your look in “Fashion”? Weren’t you asked to shed weight for it?
Again, these are baseless rumours. I wasn’t asked to lose weight. I went on a diet to tone my physique a bit to do justice to the fabulous look that Rita Dhody and Narendra Kumar Ahmed designed for me.
2007 saw you in a lot of turmoil. Are things looking up now?
I wouldn’t like to comment on the controversies since I prefer to let bygones be bygones, yes, my father’s health is improving and I’m finally at peace due to that. He is working on his music album; though I would have loved to, I’m not singing in it.
Your wish-list for the near future?
It’s ironical, but while I feel blessed for getting so much at such a young age, there’s so much more to do. I want to do as many different kinds of films as possible before I step back from this industry that has given me so much.
One thing about you that we don’t know
“I’m a huge gizmo freak! From the latest Nokia AGB cell phone, an iMac laptop, a cool iPod, to some freaky stuff like an alarm clock that keeps jumping and rolling around till one wakes up to a gadget called ‘Hydromate’ that measures the level of water retained in the body, I have it all. I love Boo and QT, my robot-friends in LS 2050.
Your fitness mantra.
I have no mantra since I have genetically been blessed with a good metabolism and a good body.
But since I’m a huge foodie, I need to exercise a bit to keep myself toned. But I hate working out in closed gymnasiums. I’d rather go running, cycling and rollerblading.
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