Priyanka Chopra's double role in Love Story 2050 
By Screen World, January 25, 2007 - 06:44 IST
If the trade buzz and internet searches are nay indication, she is definitely the most sought-after actor in the filmdom as well as cyberdom. Reigning supreme, she is all set to scale newer heights this year twice over with Salman Khan in Salaam-E-Ishq and God Tussi Great Ho and then in a double role in the sci-fi Love Story 2050. Currently shooting in Bikaner with her favorite co-star Abhishek Bachchan for Drona, she connects over a long-distance crackling line saying that her aim is always to explore different facets of a heroine-like learning the ancient Sikh martial art, Gataka for this film. With tons of talent, the requisite professional focus and the killer instinct – Priyanka Chopra is tipped to be the next numero uno… Checking out the star ascendant…
Hello, hello! Sounds as if you were talking from some far-off land!
Oh yes, I am at a pretty palace in Bikaner. It is such a lovely deserted spot, really far, far away…
How long will you be in Bikaner and are you wearing the colorful Rajasthani costumes during the shoot?
Abhishek Bachchan and I are here for a month-long schedule of Goldie Behl Drona. It is a fantasy film… like a comic book coming alive. And I am not sporting Rajasthani gear in Drona. The only Rajasthani thing I have done since coming here is visiting Ajmer Sharief.
You are in Bikaner, so how about the famous Bikaneri savouries – have you sampled those?
I have been eating plenty of gajjak, I just love it.
Last year you were seen in some biggies – Krrish and Don, but it is only this year that your career is getting into a gallop with Salaam-e-Ishq in which you essay the part of an item girl. Have you played the part by instinct or through observation?
I play a girl from a small town with big aspirations but then she ends up getting stuck as an item girl. Director Nikhil Advani had scripted the part very well so it was really easy for me. I have derived lot of portions from several actresses and people I have met. I hope it comes across in the film.
You seem to have hit it off pretty well with Salman Khan, what appeals to you about him as a co-star?
Salman is a fantastic co-star and the hugest star of India. I love the way he lives his life – on his own terms. As a co-star, he takes completely different turns and routes to every scene, he keeps springing surprises at you. You have to be on your toes to keep apace with him. He keeps you creatively challenged and I just love that!
You are also spotted in the promos of the much-delayed Sunny Deol starrer Big Brother, it was a film you had signed early on in your career.
In fact it was the first film I had shot for! And it is finally releasing now. My character in the film has a very earthy feel to it. I am glad the film is off the block.
Coming to Rumi Jaffery’s God Tussi Great Ho in which you are paired opposite your challenging hero Salman. You are also sharing the credits with Amitabh Bachchan again after Waqt. What kind of film is that?
It is a funny film and I play a journalist in it. But I don’t have much to do with Mr. Bachchan in the film this time. But Waqt was indeed a big high for me, a huge honour!
Lot is being said about your double role in Harry Baweja’s Love Story 2050, please elaborate.
Presently I am not at liberty to divulge much about the film except that it is a futuristic sci-fi set in 2050. From the rushes I have seen so far, all I can say it is really exciting looking. It will be the first of it’s kind.
Going by your career-graph, soothsayers of the industry have already tipped you as the next numero uno – a position you always aspired for?
Hey, not so soon! Not so fast, please! I Joined films in 2003, I am barely four years old in the industry. I am not a trained actor, I have learnt and acquired acting skills by trial and errors. All I aspire for is that filmmakers will give me good opportunities to showcase my craft.
You have suddenly taken to action-packed roles in a big way, are you trained to under take those complicated action scenes?
I enjoy doing stunts very much. It is one way of exploring a different facet of an Indian heroine, not many female actors have done that. Barring Fearless Nadia and then perhaps Hemaji and Rekhaji, in today’s times, in the contemporary context, I am glad that I have the chance to present action in films. As for training for my action-packed roles I train amply – like I trained in Tai Chi Prior to shooting Don. Currently I am learning the ancient Sikh martial form, Gataka for Drona.
Apart from action, you were also very keen on singing once upon a time. You were even training in classical music. Why aren’t you putting your vocals to use in your films?
I love to sing, but for the moment let me concentrate on work at hand. Let me get my acting right. Then we will see, I hope to be able to sing some time later in my career.
Most sought-after female actor by filmmakers and most-sought after actor on the net, does that gratify you?
God has been kind to me, at the same time I have been conscious in picking films and roles that I would myself enjoy watching on screen. My aim has always been to make the audience forget harsh reality and get thoroughly entertained by my performances. For all the compliments, I thank everyone and I feel flattered and blessed.
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