To Catch a Star: Priyanka Chopra (Part II)

Rajeev Masand: Have you ever got into a real catfight?

Priyanka Chopra: Yes, in school. It was in Class X and I won. I kind of broke her nose.

Rajeev Masand: What did she do? Was it over a boy?

Priyanka Chopra: No, she accused me of some really stupid things. And it was quite racist actually at that point. I got really angry with her and she said ‘let’s take it outside’ and I was fine with it. We actually fought on the basketball court and it was good fun.

Rajeev Masand: And you broke her nose, bravo!

Priyanka Chopra: Yes, I did but I really felt bad the next day.

Rajeev Masand: Nobody discovered this during the Miss World contset? They didn’t dig it out that you had broken somebody’s nose?

Priyanka Chopra: No. I went to the hospital to see her and took flowers. I felt really bad.

Rajeev Masand: See, that is such a Miss World thing to do.

Priyanka Chopra: No, but it’s a very humane thing to do because I was still scared of her when I went to meet her. I thought she would just get up from her bed and punch me. But it was all right, she was fine later.

Rajeev Masand: You have just signed a three-picture deal with a reputed production house. What’s interesting about this deal is that you are also going to input creatively on the films that you decide to do with them. Is that the kind of control that you were looking for?

Priyanka Chopra: I just knew that I wanted to do something that I enjoy doing and not just based on a character but the entire film and the people you work with. And that’s what makes the four months of working together fun and memorable. My contract with UTV was exactly that. I sit on the film from its very conception, then we get people on board to write it. And that’s what excited me the most.

Rajeev Masand: Writers say that the biggest problem with Hindi cinema is that actors are too powerful. They can pretty much dictate scripts and they change characters on sets. So, this is exactly the kind of things that writers will be up in arms against. Don’t you think?

Priyanka Chopra: No, that would happen once the script is written and then you reach the sets. Then if an actor turns around and says ‘I don’t think the scene is happening,’ that is not right. Then it’s a bound script and you have agreed to shoot it. So, what is the point of having a bound script? Of course, little changes always happen on the sets.

Rajeev Masand: I am sure you have been on sets where actors have changed more than just a few lines.

Priyanka Chopra: I have been on those kind of sets where lots of things have been changed. But I guess Hindi cinema has evolved a lot. I don’t think one could get a bound script three years ago but now every film has one. So, now you know exactly what you are going to do.

Rajeev Masand: Are there films which now you think in retrospect you could have more control over? That you could be involved in from conception perhaps?

Priyanka Chopra: I actually have not regretted any film that I have done. Nothing has been so bad that I wished that I had never done it. Films have flopped or done well, but that is a part of every actor’s life. Or for that matter anybody in cinema, like even some of your interviews might be great but some might not be. It happens with everyone especially in the creative field. So, one has to be prepared for such things.

Rajeev Masand: Every actor says we are not in the race. They say they don’t want to be number one. Then what are you personal goals?

Priyanka Chopra: I think for me it’s really important to be working in a film which is commercially successful. And after you reach a point where you are considered a box-office success then you do parts, which are critically acclaimed. Then you reach a point and it’s a balance of both. So, there is so much to do. I have never really thought about all this. Everything has been a trial and error so far. I have never been formally trained in acting and neither do I come from a cinematic family. My acting schooling has been on the sets.

Rajeev Masand: If that is considered then you haven’t done badly for yourself. It has just been a few years for you in the industry. What do you consider your career milestones in terms of your own performances?

Priyanka Chopra: My first film, Andaaz is really special to me. It was also my first success.

Rajeev Masand: I like Aitraaz the best. I think it was really a performance and you pretty much carried the film on your shoulders.

Priyanka Chopra: Yes, it was. I was coming to Aitraaz as it was a turning point in my career. Mujse Shaadi Karogi as well because it was a more commercially successful film. It was also my first solo hit. And then Krrish and Don consolidated that position in a way.

Rajeev Masand: I know you said you don’t regret any of your films but are there some that you are embarrassed of?

Priyanka Chopra: Yes, but I am not embarrassed of the film as such but of what I did in them. Like there are times when I feel ‘damn if it would have been now, I would have done them so differently.’

Rajeev Masand: What was the harshest criticism?

Priyanka Chopra: I think Krrish was really harsh because I was expecting a lot more from it. The joy of the success of the film kind of…

Rajeev Masand: Did you feel left out?

Priyanka Chopra: I was extremely happy and it’s one of my biggest films. I still get a lot of fan mail on Krrish. So, it’s great but a lot of joy was taken away from the fact that I got a lot of flak for the way I looked in the film. It was a tough period and I don’t want to blame anything but I guess it just happened.

Rajeev Masand: One film that you saw in the last one year and you thought I wish I was in this.

Priyanka Chopra: Last film I saw just to be a part of would definitely have been Rang De Basanti. I loved that film. I don’t know which part but probably Aamir Khan’s part (laughs). Or even Siddharth, Kunal or Soha’s part, in fact anyone in that film. Each part in the film was so well etched out. That was one film that really affected me and I came out feeling completely patriotic. I felt I was going to change India.

Rajeev Masand: Now this one is the rapid fire round. So, no diplomatic answers.

Priyanka Chopra: I am diplomatic, it is ingrained in me.

Rajeev Masand: No, no, we will try and make this fun. Let’s take a shot. While making sequels for Don and Krrish, the dates are clashing, which one will you do?

Priyanka Chopra: (laughs out loud) This is a very bad question. I have to do both because the stories won’t go forward otherwise. I can’t pick out of them because both are very special to me.

Rajeev Masand: Aishwarya Rai and Lara Dutta are drowning and you have only one life jacket, whom would you save?

Priyanka Chopra: I would save Lara because I know her much more and also because I share a complete history with her. I hardly know Ash, even though I really admire her but I know Lara much more.

Rajeev Masand: You are stuck in an elevator with Mallika Sherawat, how would you break the ice?

Priyanka Chopra: I would say, ‘Hey what’s up?’ I really admire her because she is somebody who says what she wants to and does not believe in repairing consequences in any form. So, I think it’s really great. I would just make her talk.

Rajeev Masand: Whose call do you always take on your cell phone?

Priyanka Chopra: My dad’s. I always stand up when he calls even when I am in the car.

Rajeev Masand: What are the three things you never leave your home without?

Priyanka Chopra: My phone, schedule diary and a thing of pictures. I usually change bags and they go in every bag.

Rajeev Masand: Which are the three DVDs that you would take if you were to be marooned in an island for a week or a month?

Priyanka Chopra: Only three? That’s awful. I would take DDLJ because I am a DDLJ groupie. Can I say TV series?

Rajeev Masand: Sure.

Priyanka Chopra: Then I would take 24 because it was simply great. And Maine Pyaar Kiya.

Rajeev Masand: None of your own?

Priyanka Chopra: No, can’t watch it for more than once. Have been through it for four months in any case.

Rajeev Masand: Are you a cat or a dog person?

Priyanka Chopra: Dog person. All cat lovers don’t mind but cats scare me. I don’t think they are trustworthy, they just look a little creepy. I have a dog called Brando.

Rajeev Masand: You are big fan of Marlon Brando?

Priyanka Chopra: After Marlon Brando died I felt his legacy needs to be carried on and that’s when my dog had come so it’s my dedication to the actor.

Rajeev Masand: You are a coffee or tea person?

Priyanka Chopra: Coffee because it wakes you up quicker.

Rajeev Masand: In your next life you would like to come back as?

Priyanka Chopra: Me and as a human being and not as an ant, or a fly or snake. Oh god! Certainly not a spider. Very bad question, I just want to be me.

Rajeev Masand: Who is on your mobile speed dial?

Priyanka Chopra: My dad and my brother because I am very technically challenged and he usually figures all that out for me.

Rajeev Masand: What’s your favourite swear word?

Priyanka Chopra: Now I can’t say that in any case.

Rajeev Masand: Oh so it’s one of those ones.

Priyanka Chopra: Yes.

Rajeev Masand: How often do you use it?

Priyanka Chopra: Once in every four months when I am really stressed out. But I can’t say it.

Rajeev Masand: Do you know how much your mobile bill comes to?

Priyanka Chopra: Yes and am not going to say that either. It’s very scandalous.

Rajeev Masand: Who pays the bill?

Priyanka Chopra: I pay the bill, who else will pay it? But I get a thrashing for it from my mom since she is my financial manager. And she goes like ‘why do you give so much money to the mobile companies?’ That is my only expenditure because I am not a very shopping person.

Rajeev Masand: Shah Rukh Khan invited you for his birthday party and Abhishek invited you for his baby’s naming ceremony. Both are on the same day, which one would you attend?

Priyanka Chopra: You are really bad. I love Shah Rukh so I would definitely go for his birthday.

Rajeev Masand: And what are the chances of being invited for Abhishek’s baby’s naming ceremony? Is it? I think you did fairly well in the rapid fire round. Unfortunately we don’t have a coffee hamper to give you.

Priyanka Chopra: There should be something.

Rajeev Masand: Best wishes I suppose for your films.

Priyanka Chopra: You are damn cheap Rajeev. You couldn’t get anything for me. Cancel this rapid fire round. You have to get a gift after this.

Rajeev Masand: Best wishes are the best prize you could ask for. Thank you so much for talking to us.

Priyanka Chopra: Thank you.