Of course, I'm extremely excited and looking forward to the release! It's among the biggest films of my career and my first with Shah Rukh! Everyone's looking forward to watching it and it's worked out beautifully. I've had a great time working with such a talented bunch of people like Shah Rukh, Ritesh (Sidhwani) and Farhan (Akhtar) and learnt a lot. I cherish every moment of 'Don'.

Recently there was a rumour that you wereunhappy about sharing poster space with Kareena Kapoor and Ishaa Koppikar, who've also been given a lot of prominence in 'Don'. Comment. (Laughs) I've become a favourite with rumour mongers! First they said that I had committed suicide when I was in Adelaide with my aunt! Then someone said that I had been throwing attitude on the sets of another film. Later I heard that I was apparently angry because I had to share the promotional campaign of 'Don' with Kareena and Ishaa. How do you expect me to react? I've been out of India for nearly three months on work. I've been living out of a suitcase! Just because I haven't been in Mumbai for long, people are busy creating controversies. Why would I be insecure of Kareena and Ishaa? I've worked with Kareena in 'Aitraaz' before and we got along well. In fact, she adds to the star set-up of 'Don'. Even Ishaa has done very well in the film. I want to put these baseless rumours to rest once and for all!

Was it difficult to play Zeenat Aman's character in 'Don'?

That was never my objective. I would never want to imitate Roma the way Zeenat ji did it. People would start comparing us and I would fall short of expectations! (Smiles) I was conscious all through that I had to essay the character of Roma in my own look, way and style. The Roma of the earlier 'Don' is different from the Roma of the contemporary one. I play a martial arts expert in the film and have actually done all the stunts myself! No body double has been used! I had to execute really high kicks! (Laughs) 'Don' will show me in a completely new 'avatar'.

Tell us about some of the stunts in 'Don'?

I have some great stunts in 'Don' and went through intensive training for nearly six months. I've never been so physically involved in a role. 

How different is the new 'Don' from the old one?

'Don' was a cult film of its time. Farhan (Akhtar) has given the new 'Don' his own interpretation and perspective. It is more young, cool, contemporary and slick, if you know what I mean. Even the characters have been very differently etched and enacted. I won't reveal much but there are some interesting changes in the storyline as well!

You said you've looked up to Shah Rukh as a kid. And now you've actually worked with him. Describe the experience.

I'm at a loss of words to describe how I felt on hearing that I'd be working with Shah Rukh. He is among the most gifted, passionate and hardworking actors, which is why he is where he is today. I've always wondered where he gets his energy supply from! (Laughs) He is always teeming with life and keeps everyone on their toes. He is so involved in the film and participates on every aspect of it. Farhan (Akhtar) and Shah Rukh would be in a constant discussion mode. It's so inspirational to work with an actor and human being like him! He's always teaching you something or the other. 

Tell us something about Shah Rukh we don't know!

He is a hardcore gamer! He loves video games!

What is your role?
Mine is a fun role. I never knew that I had good comic timing until I discovered it in 'Salam-E-Ishq'

We hear you created lot of problems on the sets. You asked for a limousine and wanted to do away with Merc. Then, you didn't want to wear the costumes that were given to you?
That's not true. Please don't create controversies. 'Salam-E-Ishq' was damn good fun.

Your 'Aap Ki Khatir' bombed, and did Lara walk out from that because of you?
No. She had other reasons. Things are fine between Lara and me. I respect her. She is one of the few people who helped me win the Femina Miss India contest - how to put on make-up, what to wear, and so many other things.
Why did you opt out of Santoshi's 'Halla Bol'?
I seriously didn't have dates. I had just finished one schedule of 'Salam-E-Ishq'. Then Salman gave dates for 'God Tussi Great Ho'. Then I was committed to Harry Baweja's 'Love Story 2050'. It was all clashing.

Going to 'Krrish'. The critics panned you?
I am not going to defend myself. I think I should have taken more care. I think I was lazy. Maybe I was not in the right frame of mind.

There were rumours that you were once again seeing Aseem Merchant?
I haven't met Aseem in five years. I think that I have answered your question.

Did you do 'Love story 2050' since you wanted to help your 'good friend' Harnam Baweja, Harry's son?
Never. I was not doing a favour for anybody. I am doing that film because I liked the script. I play two different characters and there is lot of scope to display my acting talent in it. 

Did Rakesh Roshan mention a sequel to Krrish while working on the film? 
“Everybody on the sets kept asking Rakesh Roshan about yet another sequel after Krrish. I told him he has to make a sequel because Krrish has become so successful now. Irrespective of whether I am there in the film or not, I would definitely like to see what happens to the character Krrish.” 
So are you guys working on the sequel already? 
“It’s too early for that. It was just a statement at that time. Let me bask in the glory of Krrish first. All that comes later.” 

What’s Aap Ki Khatir all about? 
“Aap Ki Khatir is a very romantic film. There’s nothing earth-shatteringly different about it. It’s just a sweet film. My character is a very confused girl who doesn’t know her own mind, but she tries to pretend that she’s quite in control of her life. It’s a real role, because most women are like that – they can’t take care of themselves. And yet they pretend to be worldly wise.” 

They say having two actresses in the same film creates quite a few problems for the director. And you’ve worked with Amisha in Aap Ki Khatir... 
“It’s not about having one heroine or two heroines in a film. It has to be a great story. Aap Ki Khatir is a great story. I never see whether there is one actress or two in the film. If that was the case, I wouldn’t have done half the films that I have done so far.” 

How’s it working with Dharmesh Dharshan?
“I always wanted to work with Dharmesh ji ever since I got to know him when I worked in Andaaz. This is a film which is very different from a typical Dharmesh Darshan film. It is a light, comic, romantic film. It is not an out and out comedy, but a romantic comedy

Don’t you think Akshaye Khanna and you make for an unconventional pairing? 
“Not at all. Akshaye is a great co-star to work with. He’s a superb actor. I loved working with him. I think he is one of the most talented actors we have in the industry today. Because he does so few films, he is not given his due. He has great timing.” 

Akshaye is known to be moody at times? 
“Not with me. Only with others. I have never found Akshaye moody
 

Though people’s perceptions have changed, I as a person am the same. But as an actor, every film changes something for me. It’s always an uphill journey. 

Aap Ki Khatir is your first film with Akshaye Khanna, but if you count your 36 China Town cameo, it is your second. How was he as a co-star? 

Before I began working with Akshaye I was actually stressed about this, thanks to all the things that I had heard about him from others, because I like to have a pleasant working environment. But he’s so damn sweet! Off-screen, he’s a thorough gentleman. On-screen, he is such a good actor! In fact, I have always been his fan! 

Which other actors are yopu a fan of? 

Madhuri Dixit! Even if I am considered two per cent of her I will think of myself as hugely talented.I also love Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. They obviously believe so much in what I too think -- that is, they are not interested in just going on the sets and finishing their shots, but in living the roles and breathing life into the characters. They make the characters seem very real and yet infuse them with magic. I guess it’s about loving one’s work, which is what I admire and try and emulate about them. 

How important is a co-star’s contribution for a good performance? 

Of course, it is very important. If a co-star has stupid lines or speaks them stupidly and you are being shot in a close-up, you can never act well. If a co-star is not serious and involved, it can get very irritating. Especially if you are a serious actor and enjoy acting like I do. The good thing about this is that in my experience selfish actors never succeed. It is only those who get involved in the film’s totality that have successful careers.

Have you always enjoyed acting, or was there some point at which you began to love it? 

I hated acting when I started out. And I am talking about films. I would do theatre when in school. But on the first shoot ever, I was told how I had to say my lines when I reached a certain mark on the floor and had to do it when looking in a particular direction. It was all very difficult. I went home and howled and told mom, “Yeh mujhse nahin hoga!”. She told me, “Okay, now that you have signed the film, finish it. Then you can go back to your college.” I was an engineering student then. Now, I cannot think of doing anything other than acting. 

What’s with the cameos? 

Oh, I did those for friends. 36 China Town was for Abbas-Mustan, the men whose work I have loved since Humraaz and also those responsible for giving me Aitraaz. Rohan Sippy is also a friend - I completely enjoyed working on Bluffmaster!

What’s your character like in Aap Ki Khatir? 

I am this ’I know everything’ kind of girl in Aap Ki Khatir who is forever in an illusory world, and this is very unsettling when things go wrong. But unlike his past films, this is one film of Dharmesh Darshan that is light and frothy rather than dramatic and intense. 

Once they reach a certain status, all female actors have this yen to do great, meaningful roles in middle-of-the-road, art or parallel films. Haven’t you been bitten by this bug? 

(Sternly) I consider all my roles meaningful. I don’t think that only working in such films make one a good actor. You can give your best to any role and grow as an actor. I prefer to do films of the kind that I like to watch. 

You have done solo leads and two-heroine films. What made you accept a six-hero-six-heroine subject like Salaam-E-Ishq? 

Oh, it’s got such a wonderful script In terms of footage there may be less for every actor but that film has come out fabulously. Just watch it and you will know what I mean! 

And Drona? 

Well, I am hoping that I am on, because it’s a great subject! I would like to talk about this film only once it gets moving.

What else have you taken up? 

Well, Don is complete and Love Story 2050 is taking off. There are one or two other projects lined up. 

What is happening about the film you have done with Govinda? 

Last heard, they were planning to release it with a new title. I really don’t know what’s happening. The best part is that it is not a typical Govinda film but an interesting romantic thriller. 

So much has been said about your singing abilities - you even sang a line in Right here right now... in Bluffmaster!. Do you ever get involved in your music, like attending sittings or recordings? And do you make suggestions? 

I do, whenever possible. I have a good ear for music though my singing is for others to judge! But what makes the song recording process interesting is watching how it evolves from its scratch version to the final product, and often sounds so completely different in its recorded version! The process of how a song is created and developed is completely fascinating.

You made news recently because of your being chosen to speak at theGlobal Leadership Forum in Malaysia. How was the experience? 

It was fantastic! I was there right among all those heavyweight corporate heads from all countries! My topic was “Innovation Of The Competitive Edge”. Of course, I was a bundle of nerves before the actual moment but it went off really well. I felt amused that people there told me to take up a career in Public Speaking! So now I have an alternative career too! (Laughs)

What is your stand on the pesticides issue? 

I am not very happy with the statistics being offered. I think that all MNCs are bound to be targeted anyway. Besides, the authorities should be more worried about many other things that affect the health of citizens far more than colas.

Is it a desi version of The Wedding Date? 
I haven’t seen it. But many Hindi films are inspired by Malayalam, English, French, Iranian or Korean cinema. 

Bollywood makes the maximum romantic films. How is your role different?
I am spontaneous. I can safely say that nine out of ten times, mannerisms in Hindi films happen on the spur of the moment. Of course, if you’re playing specific characters like Devdas, DJ in Rang De Basantior Saif’s character in Omkara, you have to portray them in a particular way. 

How come you agreed to render a nazm for Aap Ki Khatir? 
I trusted Himesh Reshammiya completely. He said I could do it, so I did it. It was done in five minutes. 

You’ve sung it with a lot of feeling. What, or rather, whom were you thinking about? 
Sameer has written it so beautifully. It’s like getting a great dialogue. Once you get one, it’s just so easy to say it. That’s what makes us actors so vulnerable. We need to be surrounded by great talent to give our best. 

What makes a great film? 
It’s like the Russian roulette. To hit the bull’s eye, everything has to be on the same page.

A recent film you wanted to be part of?
I would have loved to do Aamir Khan’s role in Rang De Basanti. I loved the film. I think Munnabhaiand Iqbalwere also great. 

Is it true that you and co-star Priyanka Chopra didn’t get along?
(Laughs) Priyanka told me herself on the last day of shooting,‘you know I hate you, right? But I also love you’. So, there. 

Rumours insist that you are upset with Subhash Ghai also? 
Subhash ji is like a father figure to me. We don’t share a casual relationship where one day I’m happy and the next day, upset. It’s embarrassing to even answer. 

Are you a romantic guy?
I think so. Yeah, I think I am. You’d sing a nazmfor the girl you love? (Laughs) Only if it’s well written. 

Why do you act in such few films?
Not too few. Three releases this year and next year, there will be four. As clichéd as it may sound, I compete with myself. There is so much space for everyone and there are only a handful of actors. 

And why are actors so fake?
It’s difficult to say with authority but fakeness is everywhere. You either live with it or you move on and go somewhere else. You’ve got to understand that we aren’t living in a perfect world. There is no utopia. 

Do you still watch a lot of television? 
I surf all movie channels, History channel, Discovery, Nat Geo and Travel and Discovery channel. These days, I am hooked to TV series. I’ve already seen 24, Lost and Prison Break. Currently, I am seeing Sleeper Cell. These series are so engrossing that my poor assistant directors have a hard time getting me out of my van during shoots.
 

24 July, 2006
Priyanka Chopra turned Miss India at the age of 17 and Miss World at the age of 18. Always reluctant towards acting, she was never keen on films as her career. Nevertheless she did a crash course in acting for 15 days and learnt kathak for one and a half years. Today, it's been a little over three years when her first Hindi film The Hero released and now she already has 22 films to her credit. Her career graph just seems to be going skywards and with films Don and Salaam E Ishq in the pipeline; life just seems to be getting better for her. Businessofcinema.com 's Rohini Bhandari caught up with her on the sets of her forthcoming film Aap Ki Khatir and spoke to her about her journey so far and her forthcoming films.

From The Hero to Krrish, how has your journey been?
The journey has been rather interesting. When I sit and watch my old films now, I can see the difference in my face, clothes, talking style and acting. Change has been a constant part of my career. I learn so much everyday. The day I look at my film and say to myself 'Wah Priyanka you have done a good job!', I'll retire that day. 

Tell me something about your forthcoming film Aap Ki Khatir
It's a romantic comedy about relationships. The film is based in London, so we shot there for almost 30 days. As the title suggest the film is about sacrifices and everyone makes sacrifices for each other in the film. Dharmesh generally makes very intense films and comparatively this is a very light hearted film. So I'm sure this must have been something new for him also. Today we are shooting the last song of the film which is Amisha's wedding reception.

What is your character in the film?
I play this scatter brain who has a lot of quirks in her and pretends to be really strong in front of the whole world. I am in love with Dino in the film and he has broken up with me. So to make him jealous I ask Akshaye to pretend to be my boyfriend at Amisha's wedding. Amisha is my sister in the film.

So do you eventually fall in love with Akshaye Khanna in the film?
Well. The story of the film is about that. So I can't tell you that now. You'll have to see the film for that. 

How was your experience working with Akshaye for the first time?
(Laughs) He is a very scary and unpredictable guy. He is very moody and our shooting schedules used to depend a lot on him and his mood, but touch wood he has been good so far. But one of the most superb actors we have. I got along well with him.

After Aap Ki Khatir, Don is due for release in Diwali. Did you pay special attention to Zeenat Aman's charcter to shoot for the remake?
Zeenatji was so good in the old Don. Even if I try to be like her, I know I will not be able to do it. If I do anything like her in this film, I will always fall short. So I made sure that I try not being like her at all. So I have presented my character in a very different way in the film. Aki Narula has done my styling and I look relatively different in the film. 

Did you have to undergo any special training for Don?
Yes, I play a martial arts fighter in the film, so for almost 45 -50 days I had to train myself under a shaolin teacher called Kanishk. Thankfully it was in Mumbai only.

How was your experience working with Shah Rukh Khan in the film?
He is an actor who I have always been in awe of and I still am even after knowing him so much.His film DDLJ has been my favourite film from childhood till now. I had done my first TV ad with him and now I have done a film and a world tour with him. After knowing him the way I do, I still like him because of the fact that he takes so much interest in his work and I think every actor really need to do that. 

What happened to London Dreams?
I was approached for the film but I don't know what happened after that. They were talking to my secretary. 

When will you start shooting for Love Story 2050?
I will start shooting for it in September. Half of the film is based in Mumbai in 2050. The film is creatively very stimulating and I am very excited about it. Just imagine playing a character in 2050...wow! 

So how is Mumbai going to be in 2050?
Some basic things like Chor Bazar, rickshaws are going to go from Mumbai. So we have maintained the basic essence of our city. We will also be using a lot of special effects in the film. It is something that has never been done before in our films, not even in Krrish. 

Have you hiked your rates after the success of Krrish?
I can't say I haven't. It's not just happened after the success of Krrish. Everybody starts charging more as they become a little senior. I have also increased my rates but not insanely. I have never done my films for money. I believe that if I do a film I really believe in and if the film does well, and I get the success I want, then it is because of that, that I get to do my ads and shows and that's where I make money.

Do you take interest in the business of your films?
Of course I do. I follow it up quite a bit. Even though I am still learning about territories, distributors and exhibitors, I do keep a track but still trying to get a hang of it.

You are a good singer. Will you ever sing for a film?
I am fond of singing. A lot of people have approached me to sing in my films, but I have still not done it. I have grown up with music in my house and I am scared that if I don't sing well, it will get very stressful. But someday I think I would want to release my private album.

Did the health minister approach you to not endorse cola brands?
No I haven't been approached.

If you are, will you stop endorsing them?
No. My house has grown on Pepsi and Coca Cola and we are all still normal. I think…almost normal. (Laughs)