Exploring the box office journey of Priyanka Chopra – Part 3

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

June 23, 2012 - 4:52 AM IST

Happy days are here again

Frankly, if not for Fashion and Dostana, Priyanka could well have been looking at the bottom of the barrel and perhaps disappeared from the industry. However this Madhur Bhandarkar drama revolving around the glam industry induced a new lease of life in Priyanka. Not just was the film a good success, it also ended up fetching Priyanka a National award, something that elated her to no end. What followed next was a complete makeover that Karan Johar and Co. did for her in Dostana. A golden bikini had never looked better than on Priyanka who carried it off with aplomb. And this when she had two (presumed) gays played by Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham as her co-stars. Perhaps Bobby Deol could thank them as finally he had a success against his name in a film that featured Priyanka.

With a National award in her kitty and a style statement to boast of, Priyanka was now being taken far more seriously by directors with sensibilities different from that of quintessential Bollywood 'masala' filmmakers. Vishal Bhardwaj and Ashutosh Gowariker showed keen interest in her that resulted in Kaminey and What's Your Raashee?

Mixed response

Kaminey, despite being mainly an all-men affair and featuring Shahid Kapoor in a double role, didn't have many scenes for Priyanka. However, the gutsy young woman ensured that whatever she got, she made the best out of it. Also, there was a promise of 7 Khoon Maaf lurking somewhere in the corner and Priyanka didn't bat an eyelid before enacting the part of a Maharashtrian woman in Kaminey. The film was a success and Priyanka now had a hat trick of successes behind her.

She wasn't as lucky in What's Your Raashee? though which was an author backed film that featured her in as many as 12 avtars. The Ashutosh Gowariker film was a huge box office disappointment that also ended on-screen as well as off-screen association between Priyanka and Harman Baweja.

This was not the last of disappointments for Priyanka when it came to helping co-stars with lesser box office clout. Her Pyaar Impossible with Uday Chopra didn't have anything to cheer about either, what with the film failing to find much foot falls from the audience. Yet again, in a roller coaster ride that Priyanka has seen for most part of her career, there were flops that disturbed the flow of hits that had just started setting in.

Exploring the box office journey of Priyanka Chopra – Part 3

Thankfully for her, Anjaana Anjaani, despite finding criticism coming it's way, took a very good opening and gave Priyanka something to cheer about. Her pairing with Ranbir Kapoor wasn't the most conventional of the lot in the film's plot but was peppered with enough moments and number of songs that kept the flag high for Priyanka. It was now time for the performer in her to rise and Vishal Bhardwaj gave her full support as he made her come out of the comfort zone with 7 Khoon Maaf. The film didn't see much coming it's way either commercially or critically but Priyanka's act was unanimously appreciated.

Life comes back full circle

It was in 2006 when a film each with Shah Rukh (Don - The Chase Begins Again) and Hrithik (Krrish) had helped her stand firmly on her feet. The story is pretty much repeating itself half a decade later as the usual suspects, yet again Shah Rukh and Hrithik, are now part of Priyanka's box office journey which is on an upswing. Don 2 as well as Agneepath have done a business of over 100 crores each. Moreover, with these films coming with a stamp of approval from all involved, Priyanka already has a lot of smile.

Journey from here is expected to be further progressive, what with Teri Meri Kahaani (with Shahid Kapoor) releasing and Barfi arriving soon with Ranbir Kapoor in the lead. In between all of this, one just worries if the party would be spoiled with the arrival of her age old film Don't Worry with Govinda that has been stuck in the cans for over six years now.

However given Priyanka's confident stance of fighting against all odds and shrugging away disappointments coming her way, she could well be heard telling her fans and followers - 'Don't Worry'!

Click here to read Part 1 - Part 2