I’ve acted in Hollywood on my terms
BY SHAMA BHAGAT: If one could define Priyanka Chopra, she would be destiny’s chosen one, to whom things have just happened according to her plan or intention. She had a typical middle-class upbringing with both her parents being physicians. But it was her mother who put in her application at the then Miss Femina, India contest and Priyanka went on not only to be one of the winners but also bagged the coveted Miss World crown. From there it was a short trip to her first Bollywood movie. Over the years she has not shied away from experimenting with different roles, including those with negative shades of gray. Ever looking to expand her horizons, she embarked on a music career in the US and following its success has become the face of Quantico—a popular series in the US. Now, her Hollywood career is on a roll with her movie Baywatch all set to hit screens on May 25, yet she has not forgotten her Indian roots. Today, she straddles her work in both countries with ease, giving a new meaning to the term—jet setting! Often with stardom comes a feeling of loneliness, but not for Priyanka Chopra, as the actor says her loved ones are always by her side. Priyanka recently said, “I am not at all lonely. I have incredible support, from friends, family and colleagues. That’s why I can do so many (things). Most of my career choices are a gamble—doing Aitraaz (a negative role) as one of my first few films, doing Fashion when no one was doing women-oriented films. I did Barfi where everyone said you won’t look glamorous. I can only do that because I have so much support.” After winning the hearts globally and the People’s Choice Award twice for her role in Quantico, Priyanka returned to India for the promotions of her debut Hollywood film Baywatch, in which she stars alongside Hollywood action star Dwayne Johnson and hottie Zac Efron. The actor who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016, and the National Film Award in 2010 for her role in Fashion, also started her own production house Purple Pebble Pictures last year. Their first project, Ventilator a Marathi film won three national awards this year, for best direction, best editing, and best sound mixing.
BOLLYWOOD INSIDER catches up with Priyanka on one of her flying visits to Mumbai—her home—where she shares how she prefers Indian food, especially hot phulkas.
What was the first thing you did on coming back?
I was looking forward to Mumbai. I prefer the heat of the city. I met a lot of fans. I went to my new house in Juhu and I stood on my balcony and breathed in fresh air. I arranged a few books and changed the sofa as I was unable to do that before.
What kind of diet do you follow for your Hollywood movies?
I don’t eat Western food as I don’t like it. I prefer Indian food and I have a cook who has been with me for the past six years who makes Indian food for me. I try to eat healthy food. I have lots of proteins and no carbohydrates. I miss the hot Phulkas but that’s part of my job. My genes are good and I have to thank my parents for that. My father had abs till the age of 40. Now I am in my 30’s I try and work out and I have started enjoying it. I try to wear different clothes and never stop myself from eating. I enjoy the festival phase from November to January and put on about three-four kilos during that time. But then, I also lose it by exercising more.
Did you miss your mother in the US?
My mother keeps coming to the US now and then. She just needs an excuse to be there. Sometimes she uses the reason of Purple Pebble Productions to be with me.
Will there be a new season of Quantico next?
I don’t know, they have yet to decide on it. After every season, they research on the most favorite show and the TRPs. On that basis, they decide whether they will continue with a new season or not.
You are playing a negative lead in Baywatch. Did you take inspiration from any of our villains here?
I have played negative roles here in India in Aitraaz and Saat Khoon Maaf. We don’t have many heroines doing negative roles. This was very interesting—feminine and yet evil. I try to play different characters.
You will promote Baywatch without your co-stars here...
There’s not much promotion time. The team is not coming to India. Dwayne is doing about four films. We will have the premiere in Miami and Berlin. I have been doing a lot of television interviews.
Was there any prep work for the movie there?
I take a lot of responsibility and they say I am very professional. We did workshops and table reads so we knew each other well. My first shot was in a white dress. I was alone and my director was amazing and fun; the weather was wonderful.
You were quoted as saying that you have to make yourself known because you are brown-skinned. Is that true?
I can’t say about brown skin, I cannot generalize. I am okay walking into a room and saying I am Priyanka Chopra and I am an Indian actor. Different people have different celebrities in different countries. Our achievements are big. Their press has welcomed me and is so loving, wonderful and encouraging.
Have you also used a lot of cuss words in Hollywood?
The first time I did it, I felt so embarrassed. Normally, I don’t use cuss words. Vishal Bhardwaj had tried it during Saat Khoon Maaf but I feel shy and my ears turn red. I have tried it in Baywatch now.
As a producer what are the kind of films you are planning?
We have six films on the floor. We will be doing a Sikkim’s film for the first time. They don’t have an industry there. We have tied up with the government. We are also planning to make a set up there. I have got several HODs to work on it where they will teach them the making of films. Once they have learnt the craft they can do a lot of movies there. They have a lot of local actors. We are also doing a Konkani film, a Punjabi film and a Bengali film.
A lot has been said about Indian heroines following Western trends and aping Hollywood heroine. Your take on that?
We wear the same brands and we are fortunate that we wear international brands. All the girls right from Sonam to Deepika, Anushka and others are fashionable and have a good sense of fashion. I did a Hollywood film because I liked it; I did it on my terms.
Are you open to doing other language films now?
I have reached a position because people know me. It’s about the mindset. I never took up English films because I want to be the flag bearer. I want to do good work. Fortunately, my English, as well as Hindi, is very good, so I am doing both kinds of films.
Tell us about your experience of working with Dwayne Johnson.
He’s wonderful, besides being an awesome friend. He is very special and smart.
Are men being paid more in Hollywood too?
Everywhere in the world, the men get paid more. That is why the male stars are given that reverence. Now female actors have also reached a point where our films hit the 100-crore mark. Kangana’s film has made it to the 100-crore mark. As women, we are making strides and people should realize that. Fan following will always be there. My fans come and watch my films. I am sure there is no disparity; slowly we are taking strides.
You were a member of the Jury at the Tribeca Film Festival. How was the experience?
I did Jury duty for the first time. I met like-minded actor-friends and watched many short films and documentaries made by students. There was one film from India but it didn’t win and I was upset. But there were films from Israel, Italy, and Venezuela. They have made such lovely films. Whoppie Goldberg is hands-on at Tribeca, she is very involved. I spoke to them and they told me not many short films are made in India. Everyone wants to make a feature. I told them that we should encourage young people to make films.
Does disparity of Indian or Asian actors still exist?
I am trying to change it and it has been a conscious endeavor. Indian talent or South Asian talent gets represented in Global cinema. I want to take roles not written just for Indian actors. This Baywatch role was written for a man, a big Hollywood actor. After I was signed on, my role was tweaked a bit. I have been fortunate that I have got good roles here too. I hope the Indian talent takes on too, like the Latin American actors such as Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, and Antonio Banderas, who did a lot of work. I hope as a group we do that there. I am trying not to do typical roles. We should stand up and try it.
Are you open to doing Broadway or Theatre?
I have been asked and my agents have asked me to consider it. I was offered roles but I don’t have guts as an actor. I am not so talented or well-grounded that I can do theatre or Broadway; I am very scared.
When is your next single coming up? Have you heard (cousin) Parineeti's song?
She sang so well. My dad and her dad did a lot of shows. I felt so good, it reminded me of that. I am doing so much work that I am not getting time for another single. I enjoy it and my mum is keen that I sing for certain films.
In Quantico, your role was very bold. Would it work in Bollywood?
I don’t think I have done less (bold scenes) in Hindi films, but only that (in Quantico) I have a boyfriend who is white. I don’t like sensationalizing my sexuality. I have not done much in Hollywood that I haven’t done here.
Your journey is so inspiring. Whom do you give credit to and what tips do you give youngsters?
More than half my life I have been in showbiz. I have learnt everything on the job. I never followed a trend. I always liked to lead it and like doing things for the first time. I have a lot of people who gave me brickbats but you have to take that and put it in the dustbin and look at the next milestones. I have been very instinctive. I tell youngsters to keep working hard and knowledge is more important. If you try you will make mistakes but you will learn from that.
