‘FAILURE MOTIVATES ME EVEN MORE’
Parineeti Chopra says she now wants to surprise the audience
After being part of two hit comedies, Hasee Toh Phasee (2014) and Golmaal Again (2017), actor Parineeti Chopra is gung-ho about her upcoming film Jabariya Jodi, which addresses a thoughtprovoking subject in quite a delightful way. “The issue is very serious and prevalent in Bihar even today. But, the writers had written it entertainingly, with smart dialogues and funny scenes that it got me excited,” says the 30-year-old. She also talks about the charm of reuniting with actor Sidharth Malhotra, and how she counters failures. Excerpts.
You have reunited with Sidharth Malhotra (your co-star in Hasee Toh Phasee) for Jabariya Jodi. Has the equation changed?
It has been wonderful. When we worked in Hasee Toh Phasee, we were babies, new to the industry and didn’t have too many responsibilities. So, that was a different experience. Then we worked again in the Dream Team tour in America. Now, Jabariya… so the friendship has only become better with time. Our relationship as co-actors was also better this time. When you know the person and are friends, then as co-actors you can work better, faster, and deliver scenes quicker.
Do you feel more confident when it comes to being part of comedies and light-hearted films, considering your previous hits?
I have done only two, but both did well. This is my third comedy. The fate of the film is never really in your hands. You just have to ensure that your performance is the best! Whatever my comic timing is, we have done our best. I hope that people like it as much as they liked Hasee Toh Phasee and Golmaal Again.
Your films Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017) and Namaste England (2018) didn’t do well at the box office. Are you someone who mulls over decisions and takes longer to get over failure?
It changes over time. When your [first] film doesn’t do well, it’s always a surprise to you because you aren’t used to it. But, after that, if you’ve any other failure, you are better prepared because every film is a learning experience. It helps to talk to people, to know what went wrong, and try not to repeat it. But you can ever let it break your spirit or affect you in a negative way because we are actors and we have to perform. So, it’s always better to be motivated. It (failure) honestly motivates me even more and makes me want to work even harder.
So, has your criteria for signing films changed?
As of now my frame of mind is to do something that I haven’t done before, and surprise the audience. I want to do those films and prove that I can. It’s also about giving the fans a variety and a side of me that they haven’t seen.
When your [first] film doesn’t do well, it’s a surprise because you are not used to it. But, after that, you are better prepared because every film is a learning experience.
PARINEETI CHOPRA ACTOR