SAIndia, brings to in an exclusive interview with Priyanka Chopra, who is just out of a double personal crises, her father’s demise and the controversy with Shah Rukh Khan and is getting back to normalcy and taking charge of her life with utmost grit and determination. Priyanka, you have faced the biggest tragedy of your life? Yes, I don’t think anything can be worse than this. My tattoo (Daddy’s lil girl) keeps reminding me of him and I go back to those golden memories that i had with my dad. I was very dependent and close to my father. According to me, i was a very nice daughter. In fact I am very happy that i could realise his dream of becoming a professional singer. I have lost the biggest support system in my life. I am completely shattered but i put up a brave front as I have to take care of my mom. Shah Rukh helped you and was a great support to you during your father’s funeral? Yes, of course. He was there with me throughout. In fact I really admire the fact that he too had an injury and still was there for all the arrangements, like a true friend. But Priyanka post that, there has been no news as such on twitter from both of you? I don’t understand why controversies are created. In fact he got busy with the promotions of Chennai Express and I too got busy with my work and music. There are rumours about all not being well between you and Shahrukh Khan? I don’t know how to answer that. In fact when we used to talk there were rumours about a link up and now that we are busy with our own work, then it seems that we are not on talking terms. I personally like to keep good relations with everyone in the industry. Did you know about Shahrukh and Gauri having a baby? It is their personal life and I really do not get in to anyone’s personal life. If someone feels like sharing something about their life with me, I listen, but I do not dig in to anyone’s personal life. You were not invited for a grand Eid bash at Mannat where almost the entire industry was present. No comment and you will have to ask the host about what and why. Talking about films, what is in your kitty right now. Thank God. It’s my topic now. I am a very committed person and Idont let anything come between my career. Just a few days after my dad passed away, I was back on the sets to shoot for Mary Kom’s biopic. I am really fond of the film and giving it my hundred percent. Alongside, I have started with the promotions of Zanjeer and Krrish 3. What about your career in the West? I am very blessed and privileged to be accepted in the West. I met the former Indian Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul and Exotic has been declared as the theme song for the Guiness International
Champions Cup, a soccer tournament to be held in Spain. Also, I have lent my voice to a central character named Ishani in Planes. So obviously, it’s going great guns. So LA is your second home? Of course not. I love to stay back in India, with my mom. I have lot of friends here and most importantly my work. But yes, my visit to LA is more frequent and I have to spend considerable time there also because of work commitments. You are doing an item number in Ram Leela, which was reportedly rejected by Ash? Yes. I have done an item number in Ram Leela, but I am not aware of who rejected it. Your mom must be lonely too? Yes, she feels very lonely. That’s the reason, I want to stay back home to keep her company. I try and be a good daughter to my mom. Recently on her birthday, I had a small dinner party at home and invited her closest friends over to my place. It’s my turn now to be with her and be a strong factor in her life. You have never gone wrong with your fashion sense? I was never a fashion conscious person, but with every passing film, i have become better and better. I always opt for ease and comfort but I am a very stylish person. My fashion personality is edgy, modern and forward. I do not follow any brand or designer. If it looks good on me i wear it. It’s just about carrying yourself in whatever you wear. I do not run after labels. You might have the best designer clothes on you, but if you lack in confidence fashion faux pas. You are seen in all types of outfits from denims to skirts to gowns.... As I said, I like to dress right for the occasion. I love to wear skirts. They make you look sexy and plus they are the recent fashion trend. It’s just about the confidence within you that makes you look good from outside. Then even if you are wearing a plain tee with denims, it makes you look stylish. Who is your fashion idol? Audrey Hepburn, Victoria Beckham and Princess Kate. They are all so elegant and stylish. Among Indians, I really admire Gayatri Devi for her grace and elegance. Favourite shopping destination? Of course LA. I go there often and during my break in between shoots I take my cousin Divya along for shopping. It’s great fun to shop there. We have heard that you have an endless collection of shoes? Yes, even I don’t know how many pairs of shoes i have. I have been lucky to have my shoes designed at the Ferragamo museum in Florence. It was amazing to be chosen as the first Indian actor to be part of this museum. How important is box office performances? For me, box office is king. It’s great that people appreciate my work because I work bloody hard. I make sure I’m not mediocre. But beyond that, it’s not in my control and that’s frustrating.
Page 17