I’m glad people don’t know me as just Priyanka Chopra’s cousin, says Parineeti

Actor Parineeti Chopra says that she is “proud” she has created her “own identity” by working in some “gutsy films”

Parineeti Chopra is basking in the glory of her latest release Golmaal Again that opened to a great response at the box office on October 20. While the comedy drama has been the most “surreal experience” so far, looking back at her career in the film industry, Parineeti calls it “a mixed bag of emotions”.

With a string of hits during her initial years in Bollywood including Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (2011), Ishaqzaade (2012), Shuddh Desi Romance (2013) and Hasee Toh Phasee (2014) followed by Daawat-E-Ishq (2014) and Kill Dil (2014), both of which tanked at the box office, Parineeti has had a fairly oscillating stint at the box office.

“When I started off, I had four back-to-back hits and then two films didn’t do well. This year, Meri Pyaari Bindu didn’t do well. Of course, it’s very difficult to take those downs in your career, but I also realised that even the biggest of actors — go through ups and downs. You always feel,‘Oh, it’s happening with me’ but it actually happens with everyone,” says Parineeti, adding that she’s glad that she got to taste success and failure.

“They really helped me become a better actor and a better professional. There is no other career, which goes through so much of scrutiny and emotional ups and downs as much as the life of an actor. So, I feel like I am being prepared very well,” says the actor.

Often referred to as Priyanka Chopra’s cousin during her debut days, Parineeti is happy that she eventually managed to carve a niche of her own. “We’re always going to be cousins but today, I have my own identity as well, which I am very proud of. And that has only happened because I did some really gutsy films during the start of my career. I want my entire career to be like that, so that I can always surprise my audience and they keep feeling that I’m my own instead of just being my cousin’s sister,” she says.

However, the actor is quick to add, “I am proud of being her [Priyanka Chopra] sister. When people come up to me and say look how well she is doing, I feel like I have done something [great]. It’s that love for her that I have. And she herself told me, when I was starting out, that ‘you have to do this on your own’. While it was easy to say, it had to be done with my work and thankfully that happened.”

Ask Parineeti, who turns 29 today, if there are any big plans this year, and she quips, “According to me, it should be a global holiday because my birthday is too important. I am that person who starts counting days from January and this year, I am going to be out of Mumbai, partying with my friends and just enjoy myself.”

Recounting the most special birthday memory that she’ll always cherish, the actor shares, “Last year was the best birthday I’ve ever had. It was my 28th and I celebrated with some 30 friends and we partied for two days straight and have the best stories from that celebration.”