‘It is an amazing time to be a woman of colour’

Nonika Singh

Style diva, desi girl or simply talented, beautiful and self assured, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has what it takes to reach out for the sky and own it. Her latest film The Sky is Pink may not have set the cash registers ringing but her performance is winning many plaudits. In a freewheeling chat, she talks about playing a real-life character, what made her cry during shooting, and, of course, the love of her life. Excerpts from an interview:

A real story of real people, does that make one extra cautious about how to approach the character?

Playing a real person is an added responsibility. On top of that, was the pressure and excitement of introducing Aditi Chaudhary and the Chaudhary family to the world.  When I read the script, I knew I would really be proud of doing this film. That’s because it changes people and makes them think. That’s what you want to do with cinema.

Your role is being applauded. What was the biggest challenge of essaying the part high on emotions?

It is an immersive character. Aditi has spunk, the way she walks, the way she talks. She’s ferocious. She will do anything to protect people around her. If I ever had to deal with a similar situation, I’d want to be like her. To lose a child is the most unnatural thing for a mother but to go on and live your life after that with the spirit that she does, that is amazing.

What is the ultimate lesson from Aisha and Aditi Chaudhary’s life?

What moved me about this film was its take on family, relationships and loss. Indian culture teaches us to stay together as a family through trials and tribulations. Instead of mourning death, the director Shonali Bose chooses to celebrate life. My mother, brother and I also agreed not to remember the last few months before my dad passed away. We remember the man, his spirit and laughter, how he brought families together. Death is inevitable, yet we are afraid of it. Shonali changed my perspective through this film, healed me.

Is it true that you couldn’t stop crying after canning one particular scene? Is it normal for actors to get so involved with their characters?

Sometimes a character or a particular scene can really move you. The scene where Zaira Wasim’s character Aisha decides she’s not going in for a surgery to extend her life because she doesn’t want to be bedridden for the rest of her life, my character agrees with the decision. As Aditi, Aisha’s mother, I kept thinking about what it must be like to lose a child. I just held Shonali (who too has lost a child) and kept saying I was sorry she had to go through this. I couldn’t stop crying.

What do you feel about your comeback film?

Bollywood is still my first love. I couldn’t do a Hindi film earlier because three seasons of Quantico took up 11 months a year and I just didn’t have the time or bandwidth. I love the new-wave films being made and people’s response and feedback.  

How has marriage transformed the actor in you?

It has made me happier and calmer person. This is the most content phase of my life. The credit goes to Nick who is a calming presence while I run a million miles a minute. We are like each other’s Yin and Yang. 

What colour is your sky right now?     

Well, at the moment it is pink. Professionally I am at an amazing place where I am getting to choose the work that I want to do, which is a privilege that doesn’t happen very often. You have to work really hard to get to that place. I wake up being grateful for the life that I have. So the colour of my sky is definitely pink.

Any piece of advice for young girls who see in you a self-made bona fide success story?

You need to believe in yourself and demand what you want. It is an amazing time to be an actor and woman of colour in the global entertainment industry. People of colour are getting an opportunity to play lead roles. You have to say: I demand this for myself. If you’re good enough, they will take you seriously, whether it’s Hollywood or Bollywood. You have to prove your worth.