"The moment I thought of Abha Mathur for Jai Gangaajal , it was Priyanka all the way," said director Prakash Jha about his film's leading lady Priyanka Chopra.
"Her career graph from Kaminey, Barfi! to Bajirao Mastani is amazing and we the team are so proud of her and we know opportunities like these don't come every day and her being at the Oscars is great because it brings attention to our film," the filmmaker told NDTV.
Priyanka Chopra in turn, took time off from her Baywatch shoot and joined team Jai Gangaajal through skype on the last leg of their promotions in Delhi. Admitting she always wanted to work with Prakash Jha, the actress revealed that she wanted to play an officer and it was 'a challenging role' and that she was to for it, even being tongue-in-cheek when she said 'it was men who could do with a dose of feminism.'
But it seemed it was her Oscars rendezvous and Baywatch schedule in Miami which was of utmost interest. Admitting it was indeed a proud moment for her at the Oscars, Priyanka said, "I am so happy that in just six months in the United States, they gave me this honour and included me with the top Hollywood actors."
Priyanka, who was the second Indian after model Persis Khambatta to present at the Oscars, said she was enjoying being a beach bum since the gruelling 16-hour shoot schedule had led to their pictures being leaked. Nonetheless, she was happy she could make time for the project, admitting that they were shooting her scenes first since she didn't have much time to spare for the film which will release in May 2017.
And for those who are waiting to see Priyanka flaunt her toned body in a swimsuit, the actress had mentioned at the Vanity Fair party that though she was playing a 'very evil person in the film,' people would just have to wait and watch to see her in a bikini and she 'will be the interruption in all the slow motion running.'
Jai Gangaajal releases on March 4 but it will be a while till Priyanka descends on home turf.
