Priyanka Chopra talks about Bajirao Mastani and the big clash with SRK’s Dilwale…
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 19, 2015)
Whether it’s a lead role, a cameo or an item number, Priyanka Chopra has always managed to turn heads. And she knows it. Despite being away from home for her Quantico shoots, PeeCee took some time out of her schedule to talk about her movie Bajirao Mastani, which she says is Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone’s film. Here the actress talks about her inner conflicts while playing Kashibai and clashing with Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale.
Are you underplaying it with Bajirao Mastani?
(Laughs) No, I am not underplaying it at all. Actually, I was stuck with my commitments for Quantico and that’s why I could not be back for the promotions. And honestly, it’s eventually about Bajirao and Mastani’s forbidden love story. Of course, Kashibai is a huge, integral part of the film. What happens to her forms a big chunk of the story but the film is driven by Ranveer and Deepika’s love story. I am not someone who doesn’t see that or understand it. I love Kashi’s role and I am really proud to be a part of this film but I’m not someone who will think that way and underplay.
Does screen time matter to you at all?
I can recall an incident actually. When I had just joined the business, someone once told me that there are no small roles, there are only small actors. I love the parts that I do and I take immense pride in whatever work I take up because people look forward to watching us on screen and we are in an extremely privileged position. I don’t take work for granted. I am not someone who competes for attention. I never needed to. I get it anyway. (Laughs) I’m not competitive but more collaborative.
This is your third association with Sanjay Leela Bhansali but first as a director. Ranveer said you took time to adjust to his methods of filmmaking. Is it true?
Sanjay sir and I understand each other extremely well. I was overwhelmed about the costumes, shooting for the period drama where at one point, I was shooting for Bajirao Mastani, Quantico and Gangaajal at the same time. So when I first came in, that was overwhelming. Working with Sanjay sir was the easiest part in the film. He has such an acute understanding of human emotions and I am very instinctive as an actor. I am someone who comes to sets and uses my instincts to gauge what the character must be going through. Sanjay sir is exactly like that. He comes on sets, gets everything ready and explains what to do, how to do. I did not come on sets thinking how Kashi is going to be.
Bajirao Mastani is probably one of the most physically and emotionally draining film you’ve been a part of. Will you attempt to do another film in the same space soon?
I don’t think there will be any other film like Bajirao Mastani. It’s one of those movies that gets made once-in-a lifetime for an actor and I am fortunate to be a part of it. Secondly, I don’t plan my films that way. I have to emotionally resonate with the character. And only if I think I understand her 100 per cent is when I do the film. And, it can’t be something I’ve done before. Kashi for me is extremely heartbreaking. I am a 21st century modern day girl today. If my husband cheated on me, I will be out! Kashi is in the 1700s and she doesn’t have any other choice. She had to deal with it and all that is so much. It was extremely painful for her. It doesn’t happen quite often with me, but I took Kashi back home. My heart ached and I will be emotional at times thinking it was such an awful position to be in. I would never play another character like that and I don’t think there will ever be another character like that written as well.
A lot has been spoken about the clash with Dilwale. You, Ranveer and Deepika share a warm relationship with Shah Rukh. Has this affected it in any manner?
There are ample instances which prove that if two good films come together on the same day, they can work. And I’m definitely looking forward to Dilwale. I will definitely watch it. And I know that the world will also want to watch it. I think both the films will work well because both of them are good and they are in completely different genres. Let’s just give due credit to both the filmmakers. They are extremely prolific and have a great body of work behind them. There’s no comparison at all. People too should go and watch both the films. After all, it’s the holidays, guys!