“We’ll have a party for Priyanka in Las Vegas next month” – Sajid Nadiadwala

By Subhash K. Jha -

January 29, 2010 - 12:40 PM IST

Ranbir Kapoor who's shooting with Priyanka Chopra in New York, just can't stop teasing his co-star good naturedly about her National Award.

“We’ll have a party for Priyanka in Las Vegas next month” – Sajid Nadiadwala

According to members of the unit, since the announcement reached the US last week Ranbir keeps mock-complaining, "Damn! Now you're the second National Award winning actress I'm working with (after Kokona Sen Sharma in Wake Up, Sid). I better buck up."

Thanks to the National Award for Fashion there's hyper-activity in Priyanka Chopra's life. Madhur Bhandarkar is flying to the US to meet her on location for Sajid Nadiadwala's Anjaana Anjaani.

Nadiadwala himself is planning a big celebration bash for Priyanka in Las Vegas.

Says the jubilant producer, "I spoke to her and didn't get a chance to plan anything with her. But we'll have a party for Priyanka in Las Vegas early next month when I join our unit there."

Suddenly there is much pressure on Priyanka Chopra to deliver. The National Award for Best Actress has put the makers of Anjaana Anjaani, her only film on the floors, into a frenzy of activity.

Apparently, the film a light-hearted rom-com on the confrontational relationship between two travelers, is getting an overhaul treatment. According to sources, drama is now being added to the romance so that Ms Chopra can show her true mettle.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala is cautious in his admission of Priyanka's added dramatic value after the National Award. "Priyanka's role in Anjaana Anjaani was never fluff stuff, to begin with. There were lots of dramatic moments for her to sink into. That hasn't changed."

But wasn't the stress earlier on getting the chemistry between the good-looking couple Ranbir and Priyanka right rather than generating drama?

Says Nadiadwala, "There's no doubt we're looking at a very good looking pair in Anjaana Anjaani with a crackling chemistry between them. But you're also right when you say the National Award puts an added pressure on us to deliver. Anjaana Anjaani is going to be Priyanka's only release this year. Expectations about her have multiplied. We've to make sure she comes across as another woman of substance after Fashion."Priyanka, it is felt, is the only actress who can bring in the audience. Madhur Bhandarkar is flying to the US to meet her next week. After the Jail fiasco, he needs to return to the passion generated in Fashion. Madhur admits he's meeting the actress in the US, though he's reluctant to discuss the reason for the meeting.

"I'll also be attending the Republic Day rally in Washington organized by Indians in the US. But I'm definitely meeting Priyanka in New York before that," said Madhur before flying off on Tuesday night.