‘IT HAS MADE UP FOR EVERYTHING’
Says Parineeti Chopra about the success of her last film; adds she went through an ‘emotionally low phase’ some time ago
About a year back, you went through an ‘emotionally low phase’. What had happened?
That’s something very personal. So, I don’t want to talk about it. But yes, it’s true that I went through a really low phase. [During that time], I had beautiful people like my brother (Sahaj) and my friend Sanjana around me, besides a few new friends. They were all there for me at that time. So, I got out of that situation with flying colours. Now, I feel amazing and it’s nothing like that I have felt before. I feel really happy, free and like myself again.
Many even feel that it was ‘depression’…
I don’t want to comment on it. Whenever I am ready to talk [in details] about that phase, I will talk about it for sure.
She wasn’t seen on big screen for over two years after Kill Dill (2014). Earlier this year, Parineeti Chopra — after losing oodles of weight — returned to films with Meri Pyaari Bindu, which didn’t do very well at the box office. But now as the actor rides high on the success of Golmaal Again, we chat with her about career, her ‘emotionally low phase’, sister Priyanka Chopra and more.
Even if a few people like my films, it’s also success for me. PARINEETI CHOPRA, ACTOR
Your last film, Meri Pyaari Bindu didn’t do very well. Before that you didn’t have a film release for a long time. So, has this success become sweeter?
No, it has nothing to do with any such reason. With every film, we have certain expectations of what it should do vis-àvis audiences. Meri Pyaari Bindu (MPB) has got a great response on TV. Whoever I have met has told me that they loved it and that’s very important for me. Even if a few people like my films, it’s also success for me. MPB might not have made the money, but for me it’s okay.
Honestly, how important is Golmaal Again’s success for you?
I feel this one film has kind of made up for everything [that happened] in the last one-two years because the success is humongous and monstrous; and not small at all. The film hasn’t just made ₹100 crore but it is breaking records and making history every day.
In that sense, what were your personal expectations from it?
With Golmaal Again, the expectations were high since it (the franchise) reaches out to a much larger audience. So of course, that has translated into [big] numbers and we are very happy about it. What’s exciting is that it has achieved unexpectedly insane numbers. For me, the true success of Golmaal Again is the fact that it has become a bigger success than any of us had ever thought it will.
In an interview, you said that you are proud of being Priyanka Chopra’s sister but you feel glad to have your own identity…
What I meant was that when my first film released, I was obviously only known as Priyanka Chopra’s cousin. At that time, nobody knew me or about my talent till Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl released (2011). There wasn’t any [other] identity at that time. But that quickly changed after Ricky Bahl, Ishaqzaade (2012) and Hasee Toh Phasee (2014). Then, it was more about ‘Parineeti and Priyanka are cousins’. Then, we both had our own identities. But even then, it’s not as if I am like, ‘wow, what have I achieved?’
You have always shared a warm relationship with Priyanka…
Absolutely! I know that having your own identity in the industry is very important but that does not take away from the fact that Priyanka Chopra is my sister, she is my love, and gives all of us so much affection and treats me like a little baby (smiles). That will never go away. Also, she is very inspiring as a professional.