Taking a flight into fantasy
Former Miss World Priyanka Chopra appears to have bagged the crown of Bollywood's new sci-fi girl. After taking a crash course in flying – albeit on actor Hrithik Roshan's arm – in the blockbuster Krrish (2006), then the just-released LoveStory 2050 has whetted her appetite yet again for giddy heights. Emirates Business caught up with Chopra during last week's club night extravaganza at Chi @ The Lodge, where she grooved with her LoveStory 2050 co-star, and alleged real-life boyfriend, Harman Baweja.
What's with your sudden fascination with all things sci-fi these days?
I know [laughs]. I've turned into the special effects girl. First Krrish, now LoveStory 2050 and then in August there's Drona with Abhishek Bachchan. I guess filmmakers enjoy casting me in unconventional roles.
Will we see you perform some death-defying stunts in LoveStory 2050?
No, thank God. All the action is in Harman's kitty. He's the one-man army, while I play the coy, meek love interest. But in Drona I play Abhishek's bodyguard and I have performed some really cool stunts there.
You have two very distinct looks in the film – one of the innocent Sana and the other as the futuristic rockstar Zeisha. Is it true, both these looks were inspired from a painting?
After a quick consultation with Baweja] Actually, Harman's sister Rowena is an artist and she had painted the changing face of a woman from two different eras – present day and futuristic. That was the inspiration for the different looks for Sana and Zeisha.
The last time we met in Dubai was for designer Aslam Khan's fashion show at the Grand Hyatt…
Right after I won the Miss India title and before Miss World happened. I was just 17 at the time and now seven years later, coming to Dubai is a different experience. My perception of this city has changed, and importantly my view on life has altered.
At 17, I was completely unaware of myself, and extremely naïve about showbiz. Now, at 24, I have matured with my career. This really is a coming of age journey for me.
After Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and yourself, it seems every girl who signs up for a beauty pageant in India thinks it guarantees her entryway into Bollywood.
You may gain entry into Bollywood by winning a beauty pageant and you may even do one film. But the audience is too intelligent to just accept you because you've won a crown. There are very few movie stars who last in the film industry. And to be one of those, you have to be talented.
Agreed that it was easy for me to get into Bollywood after winning the Miss World title. But when I started my first film as a newcomer, the audience judged me as much as they would judge any newcomer. And because they saw talent in me, I have lasted this long.
We've seen you as the brand ambassador for Lux soap, Sunsilk shampoo and Ponds face cream. How selective are you about product endorsements?
I have to be very sure that it's a brand that I see myself using. Secondly, I have to be convinced of the brand's ethics. It has to be a brand that matches my worth as a brand ambassador.
Many celebrities are now endorsing real estate projects in Dubai. Would you consider doing the same, or even investing in property here?
I don't know about endorsing a project, but funnily enough, I've just been voicing my interest in investing in property here.
Anything shortlisted?
No, it's too soon. I'm going to shop around and take my time before I buy.
LoveStory 2050. Currently playing in cinemas across the UAE