Priyanka Chopra Jonas She says she has spent enough time in her two decades in films to play second roles of heroes and is hoping that her much-awaited film Zee Le Zara will help female actors build more agency in their lives.
One of the most popular Indian actors globally, Priyanka will share screen space with Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif other Alia Bhatt In the movie Road Trip.
“I have spent a long time in my career where we have always been secondary to men. The protagonists decide where the film is shot, who is cast and what is happening. it’s useless. We are living in a time where women should be able to have agency in their lives,” the 40-year-old actor said in an interview.
Jee Le Zara Ke Keertanoo, directed by actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, took root in Priyanka Chopra’s mind and was followed by a long telephone conversation with her friends Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt.
“I called Alia and Katrina, it is only a matter of time before Farhan or anyone (on board) comes. I called the girls first. I was sitting at home and I wanted to do a Hindi film. But I wanted it to be on women’s terms.”
Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby led by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the shooting of the film will begin sometime next year. Priyanka believes that women artists of her generation have paved the way for up-and-coming women artistes to headline empowering stories.
“The actresses of my generation really opened the door for the next generation of actresses to be able to be the faces on posters, to be able to sell movies. So, I really wanted to bring my friends together and say let’s make a film that will do well at the box office and it will be ours… So, the stars aligned and we decided to do it. . Hopefully we will start shooting for it next year.”
Apart from the Bollywood film, The Matrix Resurrection stars are also awaiting the premiere of Citadel, an Amazon original series produced by Avengers: Endgame directors Anthony and Joe Russo.
Citadel is a multi-chain franchise with local manufacturing in Italy, India and Mexico. Priyanka and Game of Thrones star Richard Madden are headlining the US version, which also stars Danish actor Roland Möller, known for films like Skyscraper and Papillon.
Priyanka Chopra, who will next be seen in Hollywood romance drama Love Again, said working on the Citadel was challenging as the majority of the show was shot during the pandemic. But working with the Russo Brothers was a pleasant experience, the actor said.
“The first season of Citadel is over and it should come out next year after Love Again. It was a very difficult show because we shot it during the pandemic… I am very excited because it is very ambitious. It looks amazing and I can’t wait to share it with the world. It’s a great cast and it’s magical to work with the Russo Brothers.”
Described as an action-packed detective series with a “compelling emotional center”, Citadel is executive produced by the Russo Brothers along with former ABC studio president Patrick Moran and Mike LaRocca. The show has been shot in multiple locations in the US and UK.
Priyanka Chopra said that her production banner Purple Pebble Pictures has a first look deal with Amazon Prime Video, under which she is developing several projects for the OTT platform.
The actor, who has backed Marathi hits Ventilator and Paani as well as Nepali feature Pahuna: The Little Visitors, said the idea is to collaborate with new filmmakers and give opportunities to young talent.
“The idea of my company is to always work with new filmmakers. That’s what excites me because when I entered the industry no one was doing this for newcomers. I had to forge my own path… I have enough credibility where I can be the spring board for new filmmakers to be where they want to be,” she said.
The actor-entrepreneur is currently in India to promote his haircare brand Anomaly, which has been launched in the country along with beauty e-commerce platform Nykaa.