Priyanka Chopra, who turned 22 this year, has lots to smile about. Two back-to-back releases in the next two weeks, to begin with. And a variety of roles in films that give her ample room to be the celluloid queen. She talks to Subhash K Jha in this exclusive interview.

You’re shooting round the clock!
And doing challenging roles in every film. Take Aitraaz which I’m shooting for as we talk. It requires a maturity way beyond my years. And to make matters worse, I don’t believe in the things that my character believes in. Each day before I shoot I’ve to sit for an hour to prepare myself. It’s a very bold subject.

But it isn’t like some of those bold films that are coming out these days. The characters are extremely upfront. When I heard the role, I was worried. But when we started shooting the directors Abbas-Mustan never pressurized me to wear or say anything I didn’t like. It’s been very challenging.

So Aetraaz starts your new performance-oriented phase?
Even in Asambhav, I was part of the main plot. I did my own bang-bang. I was not there just for the `nacho`, but also for the macho, ha ha. A lot of the footage was edited to make the film crisp. But it’s not just me, everyone’s scenes have gone. Asambhav moved so fast you need to watch on rollerstakes, ha ha. I loved this role because I played a wannabe singer.

You’re quite a singer yourself.
I try, once in a while… No, I do enjoy singing. Rumours keep floating that I’ve sung for one or the other of my films. But that isn’t true. Though a lot of my producers keep urging me to sing for myself, I haven’t so far. I’d only do so if it’s a really special song and situation. Why just croon for crooning sake? (See Gallery: Priyanka with Akhi, Salman in MSK)

Singing is very close to my heart. I actually wanted to be a rock star. Instead I came into movies. Hey, that isn’t so bad, is it? Instead of learning to sing more I started taking dancing lessons. That’s more essential for our cinema. I’ll cut an album. But I don’t know when or how. I need to do `riyaaz` for three months before I plunge into it.

But you are doing too many item numbers!
Where?! I don’t do item numbers. The dances are all part of the character. After Plan and Kismet, Aasmbhav was the last film where I dance on stage. So that’s one more reason why audiences should run for it, ha ha. From now on I move into a different genre of cinema. In Aitraaz, Barsaat and Yakeen I’ve very performance-oriented roles. (See Gallery: Priyanka with Arjun Rampal in Asambhav)

The whole of Asambhav was shot in freezing Locarno.
Freezing? It was piping hot! While we shot there it was the hottest summer Switzerland had ever seen.

Maybe your presence precipitated the heat.
Could be, ha ha. We shot on the Italian side of Switzerland and it was 38 degrees. It was awful. We had to wear woollen clothes and pretend we were cold. My co-star Arjun Rampal got boils on his hands.

That’s how things came to a boil between the two of you.
Very funny. Frankly I get along with all my co-stars, whether it’s Akshay or Arjun. I choose roles according to the banner, not the hero.

Weren’t you scared to have Mujhse Shaadi Karogi a week after Asambhav?
Yeah…very scary to have two releases in two weeks. Fortunately I had totally contrasting roles in Asambhav and in Mujhse Shaadi… I play a totally sweet and innocent girl nextdoor. Salman and Akshay are the two boys who move into my locality and try all kinds of tricks to win me over.

The whole thing is hilarious, though unlike Andaz where I had a lot of comedy to do here I don’t do anything funny. I’m the innocent babe in the woods. Till the end audiences won’t be able to guess who gets me. Davidji (Dhawan) is the fastest director I’ve ever worked with. We shot the entire film in 45 days. Isn’t that quick?

Yeah, it is.
For one major schedule the producer Sajid Nadiadwala and David recreated a set in Mumbai as Goa. It was such a beautiful set. I was totally heartbroken when it was broken.

What about matters of the heart?
I know. Nothing happening there! Am I not lovable? Is there anything wrong with me?

Maybe with Akshay and Salman wooing you the guys are afraid to befriend you?
But that’s only in the movie! I had such fun working with them. And both of them treated me like a baby throughout. In fact I cut my 22nd-birthady cake on the sets with them. They’re so protective and sweet. When I first came on the set of Mujhse Shaadi…, Akshay was the only person I knew there. Intially I was a little nervous about working with Salman. Bound to happen the first time, as it did with Akshay during Andaz. Once I got to know Salman he was very easygoing.

Are you signing a lot of films?
Nope. Haven’t signed one for six months. The ones I’ve on hand have kept me very busy. By October I intend to finish my old lot and start my new ones. I’m completing Aetraaz, Waqt, Yakeen and Blackmail with Ajay Devgan which his brother is directing.

Isn’t there an awkwardness working with co-stars who are much older?
No why? Salman and Akshay hardly behave like they’re another generation. I must admit it was more difficult with Sunny Deol during The Hero. I couldn’t look him in the eye. The same happened with Naseeruddin Shah during Asambhav. They made it a point to try make me confortable. But I was like a schoolgirl with them.

You aren’t tied down to any one particular camp in Bollywood?
Oh I made sure that didn’t happen. I didn’t want to get into any group. I just wanted to do quality work. I’m proud of every film I’ve done….. Even the ones that didn’t work like Kismat. I’m not into camps and PR-giri. I can’t play up to producers for roles. I don’t go to film parties unless it’s for my film. I’m friendly with all my co-stars male or female. In fact I get along like a house on fire with Kareena Kapoor who’s my co-star in Aetraaz. Everyone seems to find that hard to believe. But I believe you get as good as give to others.

How do you spend your free time?
There’s none! No man on the scene yet. I can’t afford the distraction. I can’t come home at four in the morning to have a boyfriend badgering me about lack of time. I’d rather get my proper sleep than get into a relationship. But I know love will come from behind and catch me unawares. For the past two months I’ve been doing double shifts every day. Sometimes I’d be shooting till four in the morning and then go to another shoot three hours later.

This month five of my filmmakers had to put up sets simultaneously at Filmistan studio and I shot for all five together. Everyone teased me that Filmistan studio should be called ‘Priyankastan’. It was crazy, but sweet of the filmmakers and important for the films. All five required urgent attention. Everyone has been very accommodating with me. Even while I was shooting for David Dhawan‘s Muhjse Shaadi Karogi Abbas-Mustan came to Film City to shoot a scene in Aetraaz with me.

But can you work effectively like this?
Oh yes. As long as you’re clear about your characters, you can shoot as many films as you like. Besides I’m caught in this rush-hour traffic only because I’ve to go for a World Concert in August with Shah Rukh and Saif. I’ve to finish all my films before I go. I don’t want any film to be delayed because of me.

How do you plan to build on your career?
I love my work. I look at each day as a new adventure. I’m a morning person. I’m up and raring to go very early. I’m just 22. I’ve so much time to discover myself. In all my forthcoming films I’m different. My spectrum goes from the conventional heroine in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi to the totally unorthodox heroine in Aitraaz.

And my looks change likewise. Yeah, it’s a very challenging time for me. And I’m enjoying every bit of it. Nothing in my career is ever planned. I’ve always been destiny’s child. I leave it to Him… or Her.