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Priyanka Chopra's highly-anticipated American TV show Quantico goes on air tonight
Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; October 3, 2015)
Clik here to view.
Priyanka Chopra's highly-anticipated American TV show Quantico goes on air tonight
Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; October 3, 2015)
After the striking promos of her international show, it's now time for the actual launch. As Priyanka Chopra's thriller drama series Quantico airs tonight at 9 pm on Star World, we talk to the actress about her global leap, her kickass character Alex Parrish and her newly-developed American accent. Excerpts from an interview...
What was it about Quantico that grabbed your attention?
I have always been interested in pop culture and Quantico is all that. It's entertainment - it has drama and excitement. It's sexy, smart and racy; it's at breakneck speed and it's just everything that television should be. I would pick a show based on what I would like to watch. This seemed appropriate. I loved Alex's character and I was very excited to be playing her.
Has it turned out the way you imagined it would?
It definitely turned out to be much better than what I thought; I guess my imagination will have to increase its size! The cast is great and the technical crew is amazing. Everything has come together really well.
Tell us about your character Alex, who's an FBI recruit suspected of committing a terrorist attack. You've compared Alex to Jason Bourne.
Just like Jason Bourne, Alex is super smart and can figure things out. She is a survivor. She is half Indian-half Caucasian and is a modern woman of today with an extremely global mindset. You can't outdo Alex. At the same time, she is vulnerable, compassionate and gentle and that's what I love.
Are there any similarities between you and her?
Over the seasons, that will happen. Otherwise, Alex is a lot bolder, smarter and sassier than me.
Something everybody wants to know... is Alex guilty or innocent?
I have no idea... you'll find out as Alex finds out!
How much did you have to work on to pick up the American accent? Also, did you undergo any other training for the role?
Yeah, I had to work a lot on it. It was hard for my tongue to roll off (laughs). It was just like my Marathi training for Bajirao Mastani/ Apart from the accent, I also had to undergo FBI training in terms of body language commands and guns etc. We were trained by a couple of consultants.
From the promos, there is some level of attraction between your character and Ryan Booth. How does that pan out through the show?
You have to watch the season to find out what happens. It's very complicated and I don't want to give away what happens. Of course, there is a romantic link as you see in the pilot.
The intimate scene too has grabbed every one's attention. How was it shot?
It's the same as it is in Bollywood movies. Anyway, it's an awkward situation; there are hundred people standing around and it's something you want to finish off fast and get it over with.
What's a regular working day on the set of Quantico and how different is it from shooting Hindi movies?
I don't think India versus Hollywood really made a difference to me. It's pretty much the way we function. It's the same technical crew - it's just that they speak English and we speak Hindi. The big difference was movies versus television. The pace was really fast.
Quantico has been promoted very well all over the world. How does it feel?
It's a global show, we are going to a 100-plus countries simultaneously. It's very exciting; it gives me an incredible opportunity to expand myself as an artiste. Until now, it was about my movie releasing on Friday and by Monday knowing the result of the film. This is every weekend. It's a new experience.
What are your expectations?
I hope I can live up to the expectations of the audience that loves me and they enjoy the show. It's an exciting thing to have happened to me. I'm waiting to see how the world reacts. There are so many people out there who may be more talented but I was given this opportunity and I hope I am able to entertain people.
Like your counterparts here, are you open to doing television in India?
I did television five years ago. I haven't found an interesting opportunity but if something interesting comes along, I'm always open to different avenues.
Quantico starts tonight and airs every Saturday at 9 pm on Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere HD.
What was it about Quantico that grabbed your attention?
I have always been interested in pop culture and Quantico is all that. It's entertainment - it has drama and excitement. It's sexy, smart and racy; it's at breakneck speed and it's just everything that television should be. I would pick a show based on what I would like to watch. This seemed appropriate. I loved Alex's character and I was very excited to be playing her.
Has it turned out the way you imagined it would?
It definitely turned out to be much better than what I thought; I guess my imagination will have to increase its size! The cast is great and the technical crew is amazing. Everything has come together really well.
Tell us about your character Alex, who's an FBI recruit suspected of committing a terrorist attack. You've compared Alex to Jason Bourne.
Just like Jason Bourne, Alex is super smart and can figure things out. She is a survivor. She is half Indian-half Caucasian and is a modern woman of today with an extremely global mindset. You can't outdo Alex. At the same time, she is vulnerable, compassionate and gentle and that's what I love.
Are there any similarities between you and her?
Over the seasons, that will happen. Otherwise, Alex is a lot bolder, smarter and sassier than me.
Something everybody wants to know... is Alex guilty or innocent?
I have no idea... you'll find out as Alex finds out!
How much did you have to work on to pick up the American accent? Also, did you undergo any other training for the role?
Yeah, I had to work a lot on it. It was hard for my tongue to roll off (laughs). It was just like my Marathi training for Bajirao Mastani/ Apart from the accent, I also had to undergo FBI training in terms of body language commands and guns etc. We were trained by a couple of consultants.
From the promos, there is some level of attraction between your character and Ryan Booth. How does that pan out through the show?
You have to watch the season to find out what happens. It's very complicated and I don't want to give away what happens. Of course, there is a romantic link as you see in the pilot.
The intimate scene too has grabbed every one's attention. How was it shot?
It's the same as it is in Bollywood movies. Anyway, it's an awkward situation; there are hundred people standing around and it's something you want to finish off fast and get it over with.
What's a regular working day on the set of Quantico and how different is it from shooting Hindi movies?
I don't think India versus Hollywood really made a difference to me. It's pretty much the way we function. It's the same technical crew - it's just that they speak English and we speak Hindi. The big difference was movies versus television. The pace was really fast.
Quantico has been promoted very well all over the world. How does it feel?
It's a global show, we are going to a 100-plus countries simultaneously. It's very exciting; it gives me an incredible opportunity to expand myself as an artiste. Until now, it was about my movie releasing on Friday and by Monday knowing the result of the film. This is every weekend. It's a new experience.
What are your expectations?
I hope I can live up to the expectations of the audience that loves me and they enjoy the show. It's an exciting thing to have happened to me. I'm waiting to see how the world reacts. There are so many people out there who may be more talented but I was given this opportunity and I hope I am able to entertain people.
Like your counterparts here, are you open to doing television in India?
I did television five years ago. I haven't found an interesting opportunity but if something interesting comes along, I'm always open to different avenues.
Quantico starts tonight and airs every Saturday at 9 pm on Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere HD.