Priyanka Chopra's mother Madhu Chopra talks about actress' character in Bajirao Mastani: 'Sanjay Leela Bhansali is not an easy director and to keep him pleased...'

Priyanka Chopra in Bajirao Mastani

Priyanka Chopra received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Kashibai in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. While the film also starred Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, it was Priyanka’s performance that truly captivated audiences.

In a recent interview with Lehren, Priyanka's mother, Madhu Chopra, described the role of Kashibai as one of the most challenging of her daughter’s career, highlighting how focused Priyanka was during the film’s production.

When asked to choose her favourite performances from Priyanka's diverse career, Madhu Chopra pointed to Barfi and Bajirao Mastani.

She went on to share insights from the set of Bajirao Mastani, explaining, “Kashibai was very hard because there were tight shots, and it was all on the face. The expressions were everything. Sanjay Bhansali is not an easy director, and to keep him pleased in the sense that he is satisfied with the performance… that was the target. That was something she was very focused on. There were no distractions, she would not even talk inside her van during that time.”

Madhu also reflected on the period when Priyanka was not offered the lead role in Bhansali’s Ram Leela, despite performing a special number, Ram Chahe Leela, for the film. She was unsure whether any fallout occurred between her daughter and Bhansali during that time. However, she added that Priyanka was pleased when Bhansali later approached her for Mary Kom, a film he produced.

Looking ahead, Priyanka has an exciting slate of projects lined up. She will be starring in Heads of State and the second season of Citadel. Additionally, there are reports that she will be joining SS Rajamouli’s next film alongside Mahesh Babu, with an official announcement expected soon.