She impressed critics, fans and the trade with Mary Kom , and continues to globe-trot for her singing career. She’s just begun work on a new initiative in her capacity as UNICEF ambassador, and is planning a huge destination wedding for her brother Siddharth. For 2015, she’s got Bajirao Mastani , Dil Dhadakne Do and Madamji , her home production, lined up. Amid all this and despite a cold and cough, Priyanka Chopra takes time off to talk to us about being voted ‘the world’s sexiest Asian woman’ by nearly 10 million people…
Priyanka, this has been a year when you’ve been seen mostly forMary Komand your humanitarian efforts with the UN… not typically ‘sexy’ things. So how does it feel to be voted the ‘sexiest Asian’ by theEastern Eyepoll in the U.K.?
In such polls, people across the world vote, Indians and South Asians who live everywhere. So that’s special. When I saw the margins on this one, I felt like, Man! I must be doing something really right for so many people to be so supportive! It’s extremely overwhelming; I’ve always felt that my fans, or rather my well-wishers, support me strongly. Their goodwill has helped me survive in the industry. I do such radical things in my career; I never stick to the norm; never play safe. So the only reason I probably survive is because I have a bunch of people supporting me all the time.
You are a UNICEF national ambassador, and also part of the national campaign for the girl child. What’s the other initiative you’ve started?
I have been a UNICEF ambassador for seven years. Now, as part of a global campaign, there is an amazing film called Girl Rising, which narrates the story of nine girls who overcome great obstacles to get educated. Nine incredible actresses from across the globe have lent their voices to these girls. I am bringing the film to India, to be voiced by leading Indian actresses and two male actors. Despite knowing that I will be playing the lead in it, all the actresses and the actors I took this offer to immediately came on board. I can’t name them yet, but all the talk about actresses not supporting each other is untrue.
So reports of you and Anushka Sharma not getting along while shooting forDil Dhadakne Doare also untrue?
It’s annoying and boring. Each time two leading actresses work together, it’s reported that we have ‘cat fights’ and when two leading actors work together, it’s called ‘bromance’. Usually, when two actresses work together, we have a good time, but that’s never written about. It’s assumed that actresses are insecure of each other… Why subject us to such stereotypes?
What about the ‘item girl’ tag? Especially in this year of female-centric films.
Arts, like cinema, is an individual thing. Saying ‘item girls’ for heroines makes for headlines. Films are a creative art, there has to be freedom of expression. Yes, with so many strong female-oriented parts, it’s a great time for women in Indian cinema. At one level, it is a reflection of society; it shows that women are taking charge of their lives. As to what the films say, that’s subjective. Cinema is someone’s imagination that gets translated onto screen. Such pressure shouldn’t be laid on what message the film conveys. We live in a democracy, which gives us freedom of expression, and we are somewhere starting to forget that.
Does the average tabloid headline stating link-ups or personal issues affect you even today?
It still affects me, obviously, when people just presume or mention random sources, which may or may not be true. You know when it’s not news but opinion. That hurts me. Because nobody knows what’s happening in my life except me. So unless you have the guts to ask me that question to my face, don’t just give your opinion about it because you have no idea! So, yes, it affects me tremendously.
