JOIN USPriyanka Chopra is busy in Hollywood these days shooting for her debut international television show, Quantico, where she plays Alex Parrish, a half-Indian, half-white FBI trainee suspected of masterminding the biggest attack on New York since 9/11. The series, which has been described as Homeland meets Grey’s Anatomy, places the actress front and centre in an ethnically varied cast. The upbeat actress spoke about both her international and Bollywood projects. Here are the excerpts:
The show is being promoted aggressively all over the US and the first promos have received rave reviews…
I am really happy with the way ABC is supporting the show. I consider myself a newcomer because this is my first television show in the West. It is a new kind of experience for me altogether. After being in movies for 13 years in India, I’m suddenly a debutante all over again. I’m scared and nervous — petrified, actually. I simply want the opportunity to show people what I bring with me. They might like it, they might hate it. I don’t know. I just hope that people are inquisitive.”
The first promo of Quantico also shows you in a hot sex scene, which has grabbed a lot of eyeballs.
I knew this was coming, but I won’t be saying anything on that right now. (Smiles) What I would like to say is that this show is gripping and there are a lot of surprises in store. This sex scene is part of one of those surprises and you should watch the show to know more about it.
This show is also high on action. How has been the experience shooting for those high-adrenaline action scenes?
I have always loved performing action scenes and it is a great feeling to shoot for some really classy action scenes. I have done action-based roles in Bollywood as well and I must say the Hindi film industry today is in no way behind Hollywood when it comes to shooting action scenes. I have done action in films like Don, Drona and even Mary Kom. So, I am used to the stunts and this is one genre I would love to explore more.
How about an action film in Hollywood?
That will be really great, but I need to be offered a role like that. If I like the script and the role, why not? Who doesn’t want to be part of good films, be it Bollywood or Hollywood? I am an actor and am open to any role in any medium that I feel will give me a chance to perform.
You have been in the Hindi film industry for 13 years now. What has the experience been like?
I must admit that it has been the best time for me. In all these years I have seen both ups and down. But I am happy to have got so much from the industry…the chance to work in some great films, with some great actors and know some great people. I am sure I will be in the industry for a long time and there will be many more such lovely moments that I will experience.
You are an established name in Bollywood and at the same time you are into singing and now even international television. How do you strike a balance?
I feel, if there’s a will there’s a way. It’s not a difficult thing. If you want to do something, you need to be passionate about it and you will automatically find time to pursue it. It’s not at all a difficult task because I don’t feel tired doing so many things. It’s just how you manage your routine. You just need to be organised and disciplined.
You will be seen next in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani. Tell us a little about that...
That’s going to be a great film. (Smiles) I am sure a lot of people are already waiting for the film’s release. We have already done quite a bit of shooting, and as actors, all of us — Ranveer, Deepika and I — are eagerly waiting for the film to release. It is a grand project… and you know the kind of films Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes and the amount of effort he puts to detailing and filming his projects. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Recently, you also finished shooting for Prakash Jha’s Gangajaal 2. What’s the film about?
That too is an ambitious project for Prakash Jha. It is a hard-hitting film and if you have watched his previous productions, you will have a vague idea about the kind of film Gangajaal 2 will be. I play a no-nonsense feisty cop, but the film’s not just about police and the system. There are a lot of emotions that come into play as the story moves forward. So, there’s a lot coming from me in the next few months and I hope the audience will like me in all these projects.
Gaurav Sharma
Trans World Features
(with inputs from NYT)