Ajit Rai

Indian actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has said there is a great opportunity for collaboration between the Arab countries and India in filmmaking. She said this while receiving the 'Honorary Award' at the 4th Red Sea International Film Festival held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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This award was conferred on her by famous Hollywood actress Sarah Jessica Parker. She was accompanied by her Singer husband Nick Jonas and both walked on the red carpet at the coveted festival.

On this occasion, a short film on Priyanka Chopra's journey in films was also shown.

Priyanka Chopra in her thanksgiving speech said the Red Sea International Film Festival was becoming the new home of the cinema fraternity. Priyanka said she would soon announce plans to co-produce films on behalf of her production house.

The reason for opening her production house was because she was not getting the roles she wanted to do. “Also I am not getting the kind of films I want to do. The second reason for my production house is that I want to give a platform to young talents from across the country in filmmaking. I know the craft of cinema.”

Priyanka Chopra at the Red Sea International Film Festival

She said this year, three of her action films are coming out. "I also joined White Tiger because that book was close to my heart. I still have a lot to do and also have to give time to my family. There are still many such stories that need to be brought out.

Interacting with the audience, Priyanka Chopra spoke in detail about her journey from childhood to Hollywood. She said her parents, who were doctors in the Indian Army, supported her. She said at the time of winning the title of Miss World in 2000, she was only 18 years old.

Later she joined the Hindi film industry and was awarded the National Film Award twice and the Filmfare Award five times. She also received the Padma Shri in 2018.

“When I joined films, I knew nobody there. I was lucky to work with seasoned actors like Akshay Kumar and Sunny Deol at such a young age.” However, for a girl from a small town like Bareilly, her journey from Bollywood to Hollywood was not easy

She said she always remembered a piece of advice given by her father Major Ashok Chopra that one should make oneself like water – adjustable to any level and surface. She always focuses on the solution instead of the problem. She said that she soon realized that she could learn anything quickly. She believes in God, so she took every obstacle as an opportunity.

Priyanka Chopra speaking at the festival

Sharing her experience of her debut film 'Aitraaz' with Akshay Kumar, she said that it was the role of a different kind of woman. “Playing the role of Sonia was a challenge. I had no experience in the film world. I thought that I should not judge my character in the film. This gave me the ability to play it. The same happened in 'Krrish'. It was India's first big superman.”

“Rakesh Roshan saw me at a funeral in a simple salwar kameez. He told Abbas Mustan that he wanted to see some of my rushes from the film Aitraaz. I requested him not to show my objectionable scenes.

However, Rakesh Roshan saw all those scenes and signed me in 'Krrish'. When Madhur Bhandarkar signed me in the lead role in 'Fashion', the perception was that women-led films do not do well at the box office. I went from place to place and promoted the film.

She said, “I did not have a godfather in the film industry. I was not from any powerful film family. Whatever I got was due to my hard work, blessings of parents, and grace of God.”

I was very happy that day when my father got my name written below his on the name-plate of his house. She said that when Anurag Basu told me the story of 'Barfi', at first I thought that I would not be able to do this role, but going against the waves had become my habit. Those days Ranbir Kapoor was shooting for Anjaana Anjaani in New York.

Priyanka Chopra with another Hollywood actor

"I was in a hurry to go to an event. Anurag Basu said okay, he will meet me later for another film. I asked him for five days. I went to the special children's school and learned with those children and came to the set. I watched a lot of videos.

“I learned every movement. Anurag Basu asked me to abuse to break my inhibitions. I started abusing them in English but he refused. He asked me to abuse it in Hindi. I thought I would not be able to do it. But after a lot of practice, I got that role.

Priyanka Chopra said that she likes different kinds of roles. She did not want to be tied down to a particular format. That is why she did action roles in 'Don' and 'Gangajal-2'.

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I had a different kind of role in 'Gunday'. When the shooting of Marykom was going on, my father died and 4-5 days of shooting was left. I poured out all my sorrows in the fight scenes. I even kept shooting during my marriage.”