BizAsia talks to Priyanka Chopra post ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’

Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ will soon turn one month-old. Priyanka Chopra, who played female lead, has received much appreciation for her performance as Ayesha Mehra in the dysfunctional Punjabi Mehra family. As she is in the middle of the shoot for her next, ‘Gangaajal 2’, BizAsia had the exclusive opportunity to talk to Chopra about the response ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ has received.

You�۪ve received so much appreciation for the part you played in ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’. Was there anything surprising in the reviews, that you had thought people might not pick up?

Yeah, I thought that the subjects are so subtle that I was worried people might not (pick them up). Some haven�۪t and some haven�۪t picked up on the fact that you know, we kind of put our daughters into boxes, yet the debate has been so subtly addressed in this film that I was a little worried that people might not pick up on that but they�۪ve actually not. To expect your daughters to get married and have children and not expect (them) to have a career; at the same time, just because your son is a boy to expect them to go down the path you choose for them��_ You know, that as a gender debate, I�۪m really worried people might not pick up on.

Ranveer Singh and you play brother and sister in the film. How much is the similarity between the real Ranveer and the character Kabir?

Actually, Ranveer is a lot like Kabir. In fact, out of all the films that he has done, I think this one is most similar to him. I�۪ve done three (films) with him now, back-to-back, and this film is really similar to him as a real person. Funny, fun loving��_ Ranveer is a lot like that.

You�۪ve lent your vocals to a Bollywood track for the first time in the title track of ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’. What was the process of that? Is it different to what you might have done for your album?

No, not really. It�۪s just going into the booth ��and singing your heart out. It�۪s really not that different. I was just weary to be singing in Hindi because I hadn�۪t ever done that. I was happy doing it.

Are there are any similarities between you and the character of Ayesha?

I think Aisha is very feminine and I am a bit like that. She doesn�۪t like to talk about her vulnerabilities, nor does she like to show them; I�۪m a little bit like that. She�۪s also damn good at what she does and she doesn�۪t mind working really hard, she�۪s self-made, I think I�۪m a little like that.

��Dil Dhadakne Do�۪ seems focuses on the imperfections of people, imperfections of relationships and situations. Reema and Zoya have written it with so many layers. What do you think was the most unique selling point of ��Dil Dhadakne Do�۪ if you take away the multi star-cast and it�۪s just the story?

To me, it really was the subtle points that Reema and Zoya have reeled into the film, which people don�۪t usually talk about without making it preachy. I like how they have made it just very real and this happens to be an affluent family but it could be the story of anyone.

There have been rumours that ��Dil Dhadakne Do�۪ might be remade in Hollywood. Do you have any idea which actress you would like to play Ayesha?

God, I have no idea. I wouldn�۪t want anybody else to play Ayesha but me.

We�۪ve had a lot of fans get in touch with so many questions but we couldn�۪t include all of them. Is there any message you would like to give them about ��Dil Dhadakne Do�۪?

I would just like to say thank you so much for all the love that you have shown the film and to me. This is the story of anyone and I am really glad that people have gone and seen it and liked it the way they have.

BizAsia would like to thank Priyanka Chopra for taking the time our of her ‘Gangaajal 2’ schedule to speak to us.