Parineeti Chopra is two films young and unaffected by the ways of the industry. She doesn't give you clichéd, rehearsed answers and vouches to remain un‘starry'. “I get suggestions all the time on how I should talk to the media and what I should do in this industry. But I am so happy being myself that I don't want to change,” she says.
When she talks, the exuberance is believable. Basking in all the positive reviews to her performance in Habib Faisal's Ishaqzaade , Parineeti says, “I didn't expect this kind of response. Even for my first film ( Ladies Vs. Ricky Bahl ), I was surprised with the way people reacted towards my work.” The surprise package of the film, she's now reaping the rewards, winning awards for best female debut and supporting actress.
But
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Arjun Kapoor was on board as Parma before she was signed on as Zoya. “You know what? I had to audition for the part. And there I was thinking I have already made my debut and audition
The full-of-spunk performer once wanted to be a banker. “I have triple honors in economics, business and finance from the Manchester Business School. It wasn't easy to get a job in the UK during recession. I came back and joined the marketing department of Yash Raj Films,” she says.
Despite having a famous cousin in the industry (Priyanka Chopra), she was an outsider to cinema. “I used to look down on acting. When I worked with YRF I understood how tough it is to act or to make a film. My respect for this industry grew,” she confesses.
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While in the marketing department, she used to mimic anyone she came across. “It's in my genes. My dad is also good at it,” she says. Realising she was cut out for something better, she submitted her resignation only to get an acting offer from the same production house.
Looking back, she quips, “If I had known I'd become an actress, I wouldn't have studied economics. I would have studied cinema.”
We wonder if formal training would have robbed her off her natural flair for acting. “I talk to the director and understand what I am supposed to do. But I don't like to rehearse. If it doesn't look spontaneous on screen, what's the point?” she asks.
What's next? “Honestly, I don't know. There are plenty of offers. I have to do one more film with Yash Raj as part of my contract, but if I find something else exciting, I will take it up,” she signs off.