Read: Priyanka Chopra’s full interview from Montreal during ‘Bajirao Mastani’ trailer launch

Priyanka Chopra was caught over a video conference from Montreal, during the trailer launch of ‘Bajirao Mastani’; and guess what? The actress went absolutely teary-eyed.

PC is busy shooting for her American TV series ‘Quantico’ these days. Thus, she wasn’t able to physically attend the trailer launch. But how can we ever miss out on Kashi Bai’s presence? Thanks to technology, the geographical gap was covered.

Q: Are you excited about being part of Bajirao Mastani?

Ans: It is not a film, it is an experience. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, our director, was most happy about telling the story of Bajirao. This is a historical subject but it is Sanjay sir’s fictional version of the story. I am so happy that I was an instrument to make this love story even more beautiful.

Q: What was the biggest challenge about playing Bajirao’s first wife, Kashibai?

Ans: Ranveer and Deepika have done all the hard work. I just came on the sets and said my lines. Well, the difficult part for me was wearing an 11-yard Nauvari saree and all that jewellery for my character. But I was most thrilled because I was experiencing the magic of creating a new time. I walked on the sets thinking I had entered a fairy land. We named the place where my character’s scenes are shot as ‘Kashi Villa’.

Q: Since you shot for Bajirao and ‘Quantico’ at around the same time, does your ‘Quantico’ character Alex Parrish have any hangover of Kashibai?

Ans: As actors, we should be able to slip in and out of characters; and over the years I have learnt how to do that. The only thing that was difficult for me was learning the American accent to play Alex and a 300-year-old Maharashtrian dialect for Kashibai. So I was a bit confused there. Otherwise, it wasn’t difficult to play both the roles simultaneously.

Q: Do you think Bajirao Mastani can have an international audience?

Ans: The entire team of Quantico will have a special screening of the film; they are very excited for me. It is really wonderful to see how people are responding to Bajirao Mastani even internationally. There is a stereotype about Hindi movies that we break out into a song and dance without a reason but I think it is about educating people regarding our industry. We come from a prolific industry and make about 1000 movies a year. The globe is opening up to the idea of what Indian films are.

The success of Quantico shows it too, since people knew me because I am from Hindi cinema. It is a proud moment for me. I am proud of our quintessential storytelling — it is beautiful, magical, romantic. I am doing a lot of promotions here too (in America) and hope to spread the word of how amazing Hindi Cinema is.

Q: The ‘Pinga’ song which showcases Deepika and you dancing is being compared to the Madhuri-Asihwarya dance duet from Bhansali’s Devdas. Comment.

Ans: There will be comparisons for sure because both have two actresses dancing together in a Sanjay Bhansali film. Pinga is a metaphor — Kashi and Mastani are dancing together because for that day they want to they forget everything and just celebrate womanhood. They come together to celebrate their love for their man … who happens to be the same person.

Q. The song Pinga has run into controversy about the way it has been portrayed.

Ans: This film is a part of history and it based on a book called Rao. It is Bajirao Mastani’s love story and I would request all to look at it as a beautiful saga with the vision of Sanjay Leela Bhansali … and nothing more.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.