Out to conquer the world again

She has not opted for the road less travelled.

Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra is now ready to sizzle on the silver screen with half a dozen films in her kitty. She tells you nothing in her life was planned. You might be inclined to believe her.

At the moment, Priyanka is shooting for a K C Bokadia. It's evening. Priyanka is trying to catch up on the previous night's sleep. And she has a flight to catch the next morning. But any hopes of shuteye are dashed but the smile is warm and the tone welcoming, as she settles down for a chat with Vidya Shivram:

Tell us about your current assignments.

I am currently shooting for K C Bokadia's film, a remake of a South film, tentatively called Ek Haseena Ek Deewana. It is about how this guy's (Govinda) obsession with a girl and the lengths to which he will go to get her.

Next is Hum Bhi Khush, Tum Bhi Khush, directed by Satish Kaushik, with Anil Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. Then there is Vijeta Films' Gandhi, with Sunny Deol; Vijay Galani's film directed by Mahesh Manjrekar opposite Bobby Deol; and Kuku Kohli's film with Ajay Devgan and Dilip Kumar.

Could you elaborate on the roles you are portraying in your films?

In Ek Haseena Ek Deewana, I am a simple and content sort of person looking for love and finding it unexpectedly. The film revolves around me. Whereas in Hum Bhi Khush, Tum Bhi Khush I play a village girl. It's a brilliant comedy and I play a girl who falls in love with a film star. I try to trace him in a city and bump into Anil [Kapoor].

Gandhi is an action film about a don. The initial half is a peppy romance but later, the don goes into hiding and his wife, a middle-class girl, takes charge. In Kuku Kohli's film, I play this rich girl just out of college. A bit scatty and very accident-prone, she meets Ajay [Devgan], a sober guy.

All the roles have their fair share of glamour. Actually, glamour all about how well you carry yourself.

Were you intimidated working with established actors?

Of course! It is daunting to work with such senior people. In fact, I'm hoping to work with some newcomers! *Laughs*

But they are all very kind and explain stuff when I ask.

Tell us about your first shot. How did it feel?

That was during Mahesh's film. It was basically a mahurat. It was at a police station with Bobby Deol. It was all a blur and I didn't know what to do. But the first take was okayed.

Does anyone chaperone you on shoots?

My mom is with me on outdoor shoots. She's my best friend. We discuss everything, from good-looking guys to bad producers. She manages my work, my money, my agent, my CA, lawyer... everything. I just relax.

What are your first impressions of the film industry?

It is an undecided industry. You don't know what will happen tomorrow. From the outside, you think it is a pack of wolves but I have made some great friends here.

Any role models?

In the newer lot, one person I admire the most is Shah Rukh Khan. He is truly self-made and has come a long way from his Circus and Fauji days without a godfather in the industry.

I like Kajol. She is so spontaneous, it is as if she is not acting. I like Juhi Chawla too --- she is so good at comedy.

What's your take on the increased professionalism in the industry, especially among the newcomers?

Thank God for that. So often, I end up waiting for hours but I don't get angry. After all, they have my dates. You have to be accomodating. At the end of the day people are going to say that it is your film. Professionalism is important, even if it is not always appreciated.

All I want is to be satisfied at the end of the day every day. When I won the Femina Miss India crown, my mentor told me that it was not the number of the projects that mattered but doing a good scene and people clapping for you.

India News Feature Service