Priyanka's dream comes true! 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, May 18, 2005 - 06:49 IST
Some time back, when we visited Priyanka on the sets of Barsaat, fresh from the success of Aitraaz she looked calm and confident. We discussed about her role as the 'I get-what-I-want' Sonia that bought her compliments from both Bollywood and buffs. And asked her whether she related to Sonia at any level, “Not at all” came the reply. But people thought you fit the role like second skin! we told her. “I am flattered if they think so. But that would have to do less with me relating to the character. I understood Sonia, not necessarily empathized” she smiled.
As we sat talking about how she was the Gen-X heroine and her 'today' looks were getting her a lot of offers, she sat smiling through the conversation and suddenly broke in, “All this is great, but know which is the role I am dying to play?” Looking at our amused faces, she continued, “I want to do a Pakeezah! Yeah, that's been my dream for a long time now. I simply love the nostalgia the characters had”
Then and now...
We recently got in touch with the actor when we heard that JP Dutta has penciled her in to play Umrao Jaan! Yes, the sassy Priyanka will now play the role of the nautch girl that Rekha immortalized. And Priyanka seemed only too excited to talk about it. “It was my dream to play those beautiful characters and here I am playing the role of Umrao Jaan. How many times does an actor get to do the roles that they are pining for? And here I am just 2 years old in Bollywood doing films I want to!' she smiles.
“I feel so grateful to JP Dutta for having thought of me for the role. No doubt it's a huge challenge but more importantly I feel it weighing my shoulders, it's a responsibility” says tells us in all earnesty. So what is it about these roles that she digs them so completely? “Funny that you must ask me this, they had such grace, dignity and nostalgia to them. I love that. They are characters that stayed” she emphasizes
“The character lasted 2 decades! I am here doing a 1980 Umrao Jaan at the turn a millennium!” she points out. Any apprehensions on her part since she now needs to look and belong to that era? “Well, it's a challenge but I following JP Dutta's instinct. I am his vision” she smiles. And what about the comparisons between the diva and her? “I would give anything to prevent that but since that is not the case; I will try and do a decent job. Rekha was marvelous as the courtesan, hope I don't shame her!” she informs us.
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