‘I’M DRAWING FROM REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES’

Parineeti Chopra always wanted to be an investment banker, and she’s finally acting as one in her next

Right from the beginning, Parineeti Chopra has made sure the industry and the audience look at her as a versatile actor, and she has continued to do so by way of constant experimentation with her characters and film choices. Now, we have learnt that Dibakar Banerjee is set to present the actor — who has been seen in a number of girlnext-door parts — in an “allnew avatar: a fierce, ambitious girl from the corporate world”. The Golmaal Again girl talks about working with Dibakar, teaming up again with Arjun Kapoor, and more.

Not many know that you are a graduate from the prestigious Manchester Business School (UK). Now that you’re playing a corporate girl for the first time in your career, are you drawing from your real life experiences?

It’s true that it has been a new experience for me with regard to films, but [in real life], I was a banker before I came [back] to India. So, I am trying to use those [real life] experiences and incorporate them into my character. At the same time, our [Dibakar Banerjee and her] endeavour is to present a completely new avatar of mine, so it is very challenging. Some parts of the film will see me giving a restrained performance, but in other parts, it will be extremely dramatic.

You have always had a special connect with north India when it comes to your films and characters. Do those parts come easily to you, since you also hail from that part of the country?

In this film, the north Indian aspect isn’t really underlined in a big way. In my previous films, my characters were middle-class girls from certain small towns (in north India), and that’s why their mannerisms were also in accordance to that. However, this time, it is completely different. Although the girl is from north India and the film is set in that part of the country, she is like any other urban metro girl.

You will team up with Arjun Kapoor for the first time since Ishaqzaade (2012). Do you feel the two of you picked up from where you had left off?

A 100%, yes. It is an intense film and it requires a lot of concentration, focus and hard work from us. I think if I wasn’t working with a friend like Arjun, I would have had been way more nervous. Arjun has been a friend for so many years now. I really appreciate the kind of comfort level and equal relationship I have had with him.

That must make life easier for you, right?

Yes, it just makes the whole experience easier. I am glad that we are getting to work together in this kind of scenario, because it is so important to have a sense of ease and comfort when you are working in such an intense film. That’s why I am glad that I am working with my friend.

If it wasn’t working with a friend like Arjun, I would’ve been way more nervous PARINEETI CHOPRA, ACTOR