I Have Always Been My Dad's Favourite - Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra has made a special place for herself in the field of acting and singing...not only in Bollywood, but in Hollywood as well. Bollywood stars are of the opinion that Priyanka has made the country proud.

Priyanka, who is presently working on the remake of Amitabh Bachchan's hit film Zanjeer says that she has always been a great fan of Amitabhji and would like to work in each and every remake of his film.

In an exclusive interview with Oneindia Reporter Sonika Mishra, Priyanka Chopra shares information about herself and the film Zanjeer. Check out what Priyanka has to say....

Zanjeer was one of Amitabh Bachchan's greatest hits. So, when the film was offered to you, how did you react?

When Apoorva first approached me with the offer, we spoke for around 8-9 hours regarding how the film will shape up. Though the narration did not stretch for more than one and half hours, we spent lot of time talking about the movie and discussing how to make Maya's character different from the original. I gave a nod to the movie only because I thought it will be good working with Apoorva, and that's exactly what happened.

Tell us something about your character in Zanjeer

The character that I will portray in this film is the one portrayed by Jaya Bachchan in the original. However, my character in this film does not resemble that of the original Mala in any way. I don't play a 'chakku churi' girl, but a Gujarati lass who comes from NewYork to India to attend a wedding and happens to be a witness of a gruesome murder. This in turn brings Vijay into her life and that's when the story evolves.

When we talk about any of Amitabh Bachchan's remake film, or mimicing any of his style, we immediately think of you. Why is it so?

(Laughs) You don't understand...in reality, there is a heart-to-heart connection between me and Amitabh Bachchan. Big B is one of my favourite actors and I am glad that I get to act in all his remade films. I love the original film Zanjeer and I loved Amitabh Bachchan's character (Vijay) in the film. I obviously cannot be 'Vijay', hence this was the only character that I could play.

Ramcharan Teja is a Tollywood superstar. How was your experience working with him?

When we began shooting for Zanjeer, I was aware that Ram was a star in the South, but did not know that he was such a huge superstar! When we had been to Hyderabad, the roads were blocked by his fans and there were people shouting and calling out his name 'Ram' from all corners. Ram's entire family which includes his mother and wife have been very helpful. We use to be getting food from his house daily. Besides, since they knew that I enjoyed eating tasty food, they used to send home-made food of my liking daily.

How was the experience working in the Telugu remake of Zanjeer?

Speaking Telugu was very difficult for me. Since Mala's character is very talkative, I had to by-heart dialogues which ran into two pages. However, Ram helped me a lot in voice modulation and speaking style. I am very glad that I acted in such a good movie with Ram Charan Teja.

You have always said that you are a great fan of Beyonce Knowles. What is the one reason that you like her so much?

I am a great admirer of Beyonce Knowles since she is a great performer on stage. You will be surprised seeing her perform so beautifully on stage. Besides, she balances her personal and professional life very well. I too want to be like her and would like to handle my career as well as her.

Click here to view movie stills of the film.

It seems like after going to the West, you have adopted the looks of the West as well. In fact, it seems like you have become a foreigner.

Everybody says that I have become an foreigner, but that's not true. In fact, I have made the foreigners dance to Bollywood tunes in my album Exotic and have taught them a few Indian styles!

I love to give foreigners a 'taste' of my country. I love it when people ask me how they danced to our desi tunes.

When did you start feeling so strongly for music? Did you always dream to become a singer?

I have been professionally singing only for the past one year. I have already learnt all that I have to as far as acting is concerned. However, it will take time for me to achieve perfection in music. I feel that in the times to come, I will become a good musician as well.

I had sung a Tamil song in my first film and was quite ashamed with what I heard. In fact, I also sang one song with Vishal-Shekhar in the film Bluff Master. However, when it was almost on the verge of release, I requested them to not release it. They still scare me by threatening to release it!

My father was always very supportive and wanted me to become a singer. When I got this offer from Universal, my dad told me this is the right time to take the plunge into singing. Initially, I used to switch off the light while recording, however I am comfortable now.

What do you have to say about your fan following? How do you manage your fans?

I am a very different sort of person. I enjoy doing the work which I find most difficult to do. My mother toon tells me that I am always trying to complicate matters for myself. She keeps asking me why I need to work throughout the day! But I like to do things that people least expect me to do!

I never work to have a huge fan following. I do what I enjoy doing and people who like my work become my fans.

Some controversy or the other comes in every now and then as far as your personal life is concerned. What would you say regarding this?

I don't like the entire world to know about my personal life, but at the same time I don't like to 'hide' either. I am a very private person. I believe in the truth and I am what I appear to be.

Did you have to do some research work and prepare yourself for the character of Mala that you were to portray in Zanjeer? Is there any such scene that you would like to share with us?

I had to portray myself as a very fun loving and bubbly girl in Zanjeer, and that's wat I had to prepare myself for. My character in the film is very talkative and loves Bollywood films. She thinks that since she has watched many Hindi films, she knows India very well.

I had discussed a lot with Apporva regarding the character. One of the scenes in the film is my tribute to Jaya Bachchan. There is a scene in which I take a swiss knife out and ask Ram, "Who are you all and what are you doing here?" Nobody will know that this is my tribute to Jayaji.

When there is an controversy surrounding you, you get into a low profile mood! Don't you think that you should open and speak up!

I don't think there is any need to do so. I am of the opinion that if i were to speak anything regarding an issue, you journalists would make two more 'news' out of it and publish it! That gives the impression that I pay heed to the controversy.

If it is a very important matter to be addressed, I would definitely do so. Most of the time, those controversies upset me a lot and I become quiet.