I will definitely watch Dilwale: Priyanka Chopra

Whether it's a lead role, a special cameo or even an item number, Priyanka Chopra has always managed to turn heads. And she knows it. Despite being away from home for her Quantico shoots, PeeCee made some time out of her schedule to talk about her film Bajirao Mastani.

While the first few reviews have mentioned how Priyanka has stolen the show from the film's leading pair, the actress calls Bajirao Mastani Ranveer and Deepika's film. Here the actress talks about her inner conflicts while playing Kashibai and clashing with Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale

Knowing that you might walk away with the most accolades, somewhere, are you underplaying it with Bajirao Mastani?
(Laughs) No, I am not underplaying it at all. Actually, I was stuck with my commitments for Quantico and that's why I could not be back to do much for the promotions. And honestly, it's eventually about Bajirao and Mastani's forbidden love story. Of course, Kashibai is a huge, integral part of the film. What happens to her forms a big chunk of the story but the film is driven by Ranveer and Deepika's love story. I am not someone who doesn't see that or understand it. I love Kashi's role and I am really proud to be a part of this film but I'm not someone who will think that way and underplay. I am rather being honest.

Does screen time matter to you at all?
I can recall an incident actually. When I just joined the business, someone once told me that there are no small roles, there are only small actors. I love the parts that I do and I take immense pride in whatever work I take up because people look forward to watching us on screen and we are in an extremely privileged position. So I don't take work for granted at all. I do it with a lot of honesty. I am not someone who competes for attention. I never needed to. I get attention anyway. (Laughs) I'm not competitive but more collaborative.

Is it also because you are more secure as an actress?
No, a film is not made by one person. Ever. We actors get the most credit because our faces are on the posters but there are 200 others who work in the making of a film. These are nameless, faceless people who the audience doesn't get to see and know at all. We stand there and take complete credit for it and that's very arrogant of actors to do that. But I like to collaborate together and make a great project. That's the victory. If I start looking for personal victories and not for the film in totality, then it doesn't make sense. If I do well but the film doesn't, then what's the point of working hard on it? No one is going to watch it or appreciate it. I have understood that over the years that if you collaborate, things become easier. I am very happy for the body of work I have got, the directors who chose to work with me, it's amazing. I have been really fortunate. I would only want to be part of great films that will go down as a part of my legacy. It's important to make sure that a film wins rather than constantly focusing in an extremely selfish way. Nobody gives a crap if you are good but the film is not good.

This is your third association with Bhansali but first as a director. Ranveer said you took time to adjust to his methods of filmmaking. Is it true?
Sanjay sir and I have an extremely amazing understanding of each other. I was very overwhelmed about the costumes, shooting for the period drama where at one point, I was shooting for Bajirao Mastani, Quantico and Gangaajal at the same time. So when I first came in, that was very overwhelming. Working with Sanjay sir was the easiest part in the film. He has such an acute understanding of human emotions and I am very instinctive as an actor. I am someone who comes to sets and uses my instincts to gauge what the character must be going through. And I have learnt it while working because nobody taught me what acting was. So I depended on myself.

Sanjay sir is exactly like that. He comes on sets, gets everything ready and explains what to do, how to do. I did not come on sets thinking how Kashi is going to be.

Bajirao Mastani is possibly one of the most physically and emotionally draining film you've been a part of. Will you still attempt to do another film in the same space soon?
I don't think there will be any other film like Bajirao Mastani. It's one of those movies that gets made once-in-a lifetime for an actor and I am fortunate to be a part of it. Secondly, I really don't plan my films that way. As and when offers are made to me, I have to emotionally resonate with the character. And only if I think I understand her 100 per cent is when I do the film. And it can't be something I've done before. I have never repeated myself because I get bored of same characters myself. Kashi for me is extremely heartbreaking. I am a 21st century modern day girl today. If my husband cheated on me, I will be out! Kashi is in the 1700s and she doesn't have any other choice. She had to deal with it and all that is so much. It was extremely painful for her. It doesn't happen quite often with me but I took Kashi back home. My heart ached and I will be emotional at times thinking it was such an awful position to be in. I would never play another character like that and I don't think there will ever be another character like that written as well.

A lot has been spoken about the clash with Dilwale. You, Ranveer and Deepika share a warm relationship with Shah Rukh. Has this affected it in any manner?
Firstly, there are ample proofs which prove that if two good films come together on the same day, they can work. And I'm definitely looking forward to Dilwale. I will definitely watch it for sure. And I know that the world will also want to watch it. I think both the films will work well because both of them are good films and they are in completely different genres. Let's just give due credit to both the filmmakers. They are extremely prolific and have a great body of work behind them. There's no comparison at all. I think people too should go and watch both the films. After all, it's the holidays, guys!