Bollywood’s actress Priyanka Chopra, who spent a week in Kashmir recently for shooting a movie, has expressed willingness to be Kashmir’s brand ambassador and explained her tweet, which ruffled many a feathers in Jammu and Kashmir.

During her stay here in Srinagar for the shooting of Hindi film “Saath Khoon Maaf”, Priyanka Chopra was reported to have every praise for Kashmir and its people. She even made a suggestion that she can act as a brand ambassador for the state which brought in positive vibes in relevant circles. The Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir state was reported to be very serious about the offer.

While following the reported uttering of Priyanka Chopra, people associated with tourism industry of the state were over enthusiastic. “It is good to have somebody like Priyanka Chopra to promote tourism industry of the state but terming Kashmir uncivilized is the last thing I would have associated with the film star,” Said Abdul Raheem, a tour operator.

In an exclusive interview on her recent visit to Kashmir and her controversial tweet “I am going back to civilization”, Chopra said, “What I was trying to say was that I would be going back to my normal life... which is all about work.”

Chopra, who was in Kashmir to shoot her upcoming movie Saath Khoon Maaf, said Kashmir was a surreal experience for her “where I felt like I was in a fairyland.”

Interpreting her tweet, the actress said: “When I said I'm going back to civilization, I meant that I would be going back from this fairyland straight into reality which is not as beautiful as Kashmir is!”

After a week-long shooting schedule in the Valley, Priyanka is clearly enamoured by all things Kashmiri. In fact so idyllic was the trip that she is determined to return at the earliest — this time, with her entire family.  “I was in Kashmir two years ago for work and even this time, it’s for work. But I’m coming back here very soon with all my loved ones for a holiday. I was working non-stop for the film and got no time to just relax and soak in the clean air and natural beauty of the Valley. I want to come back just for that, and not for work."

In fact, Priyanka wants to publicly urge other film units in Bollywood to shoot in the Valley. “It’s absolutely safe here. The Tourism department and security personnel were impeccable in their hospitality. Not for a second did I feel there was any danger. I must say I’m leaving Kashmir very reluctantly and can’t wait to be back,” said Priyanka on Tuesday evening, while packing her bags. 

Another factor that made her visit to the Valley so memorable was the poetry. Playing a shy Muslim mohtarrma in Vishal Bharadwaj’s film, she was wooed earnestly by Irrfan Khan with poetry written by Gulzar. Sighs the actress. “I’ve always been Gulzar saab’s biggest fan and it has been my sincere wish to work with him. This is the closest I’ve come to his creativity. Actually, it couldn’t get any better ... the most beautiful place on earth and Gulzar saab’s poetry.” Indeed. 
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