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After an extensive shooting schedule in Malaysia for Don, Priyanka will be headed to the country again. This time however, she will be representing India at the Global Leadership Forum to be held at Kuala Lumpur on August 1. Priyanka’s presence at the forum is a first for Bollywood and a first for her too.

“I have been informed that the CEO of Walt Disney and several other international celebrities will deliver their speech at the event. I am glad that they have given me the opportunity to voice my feelings on an international platform alongside such noted luminaries,” says Priyanka, who is currently shooting for Dharmesh Darshan’s Aap Ki Khatir at Film City.

Priyanka’s speech topic is ‘Innovation of Competitive Edge’. “It’s a 45-minute speech on competition in any field and whether it is important or not,” she says. “In the speech I am going to incorporate various aspects from films and issues related to cinema. I believe that competition exists in all fields. When films release at the same time, they are competing with each other. It’s always a competitive edge which drives people to excel in their career.”

The last time Priyanka represented India on an international platform it was for the Miss World beauty pageant, which she won. This experience will however be very different. “I have been working really hard on my speech. I utilise my shooting breaks reading extensively, which I can incorporate in my speech and make it interesting and contemporary,” she says.

Is she nervous? “Oh yeah… very nervous. I have never done something like this before. It’s not just about giving a speech but about representing my country,” she says.

For all those who had doubts whether Priyanka Chopra can look hot, after she faced a lot of flak with for her clothes and make-up in her last release, can now seal their lips. Apparently, in Nikhil Advani’s Salaam-E-Ishq. The gal has shot for a song that has her looking hotter than ever before. Even her costars were stunned to see her hot-new glam avtar, and they can’t stop raving about her. Many felt that Priyanka’s look in Krrish was not up to the mark and the pretty lass too agreed to the observation and promised to be careful in the future. And seems like she has taken it seriously. So well, there’s nothing like the hottest in the industry, because our ladies are only getting hotter ‘n’ hotter by the day! And Priyanka isn’t going to lag behind.

Slowly and steadily, she’s been climbing up the Bollywood ladder. From films to big endorsements, Priyanka Chopra is doing it all. Undeterred by the controversy surrounding her professional life, she insists that such issues are a part and parcel of the job and she takes them with a pinch of salt. “I’m just 23 and it’s been only three years since I have joined the industry. I have a lot to do. And a lot more to show the world. There is so much more to learn about films and filmmaking. What’s the hurry? There are so many people who believe in me right now. I just hope I don’t let them down,” says the pretty actor.

In spite of having made the right professional choices, Priyanka candidly admits that her heart still skips a beat when signing on any dotted line. “Every film is a question mark,” she confesses. “Every film is a judgment of my sensibilities, my intelligence and my foresight. Every time I sign on the dotted line, I wonder whether that was the right decision.”

A humbling thought that, considering her fans believe that she has already proven herself commercially. “But I haven’t proven myself as yet,” she says rather modestly. Like every actor wanting to prove their acting mettle, does she also get the urge to take the plunge into offbeat cinema? “I love the kind of cinema I’m doing right now, but I’m not averse to the idea of doing offbeat cinema,” Priyanka admits. “A great role in a good film is always welcome.”

Considering quite a few actors were eyeing the West, which Hollywood actor would Priyanka like to be paired with? “Marlon Brando! But unfortunately he’s no more. He was the epitome of excellent acting combined with great looks,” she gushes.

So, being one of the busiest actors in Bollywood today, does family take a backseat, or do the pressures ‘to get hitched’ get to her? “Oh god, not so soon! Door door tak bhi koi nazar nahin aata,” she exclaims negating the very thought. “And though I’m busy, my family is my priority. They travel with me everywhere. Mom usually accompanies me. Also, my brother and I play video games whenever we get together, and I love to have dinner with them. Touchwood, life is great!”

The last time she grooved with Aby Baby for a special track for Bluffmaster, it went on to become a roaring hit. Taking a cue from that, director Dharmesh Darshan has something similar up his sleeve for his forthcoming film. Priyanka Chopra will be shooting a special promotional music video for Aap Ki Khatir, and from what we gather, this one is going to be another hot number. Keeping her fingers crossed, excitedly she says, “The last time I did it for Bluffmaster it was super successful. I’m hoping we repeat the same magic this time again.” Well recently, Alag’s multi-starrer music video was a treat to watch, but sadly, the film scored a duck at the BO. So, shooting cool music videos isn’t a novel idea anymore, but for your sake, we hope the film works as well!

Today’s female actors have a far different working culture compared to yesteryear’s leading ladies, but even today, our veterans can give the new girls a run for their money. As was evident when Rekha recently worked with Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka was so impressed by Rekha that she couldn’t stop admiring her. “It was wonderful working with her,” says Priyanka. “I just kept watching her when she was performing and even when she was sitting and talking. She’s so childlike off the sets as well. She’s such a warm human being, so it was a great pleasure being around her, since she is someone I admire a lot.” They don’t say, old is gold for nothing, do they?

The battle between Priyanka Chopra and her ex-secretary took an interesting turn when Priyanka received a telegram from someone called S B Boralkar, who claims to be an astrologer. The contents of the telegram state that Jaju will either have acid thrown on her, or have her house raided by goons. Confirming this news, Priyanka’s lawyer Mangleshwari Prasad says, “It is true that we have now asked for special protection, apart from routine protection, for Priyanka as she is very upset and scared after receiving the telegram.” The telegram has come from the Parbhani district in Maharashtra and the Chopras and their lawyer have handed it over to the police for enquiry. In the meantime Jaju is claiming a sum of Rs 1.37 crore from the Chopras, while the Chopras claim that he had in fact been overpaid by Rs 18,700,34 – and are asking for their money back. “There are many charges against Jaju like cheating, forgery and breach of trust. Also, there are many films that she never did, but had taken signing amounts for, from the producers (which she eventually returned). However as she had already paid him five per cent commission for these films, he should return it now,” says Prasad. Priyanka signed around eight films during Jaju’s tenure.

Meanwhile Jaju has also sent a legal notice to the Chopras, for defamation. “He has been claiming various amounts. He also claimed to have loaned Priyanka Rs 65 lakh,” says Prasad. Jaju, on his part, says, “I think they have gone mad. They are making various sorts of claims now. I feel they don’t want to pay me my dues, so they are looking for excuses,” he says.

Prasad counters this allegation too. “Jaju had claimed that he had received threatening calls from a few numbers, asking him to lay off Priyanka. The police have found out that one of those numbers belongs to his former neighbour Naren Lamba who has a PCO below the building in which he stays. Right now the police are investigating the international number from which he claims he got other threatening calls,” he says.

According to Prasad, Jaju had apparently changed the notice period from one month to six months, on termination of services. He says, “Jaju’s forgery was exposed by the police handwriting expert, Haresh T Gajjar.” Jaju however claims that the police are hand-in-glove with the Chopras. “I know they can do a lot through the police, because they have their support,” he alleges.

Everyone who works with Akshaye Khanna is left completely bowled over by his charm. Whether it is Kareena Kapoor, who totally dotes on him, or the new gals in Bollywood like Rimii and Ayesha Takia, who look up to this stock-house of talent. Recently, another hottie was added on to the list. Akshaye’s co-star, Priyanka Chopra. “I had heard about Akshaye being reclusive and was a bit apprehensive when we started out with Aap Ki Khatir. In fact, for the first schedule, we just exchanged formal pleasantries. Then during the second schedule we finally broke the ice. Akshaye is an absolutely fantastic actor. I can say that he’s simply mind blowing,” claims Priyanka Chopra. Well, Akshaye, you should take a bow!

Priyanka Chopra is one busy gal. But the actor isn’t complaining. Talking from the airport, just before taking a flight to Malaysia for the ‘Don’ shoot, she says, “I am happiest when I am working. Besides, I always make time for my family.” What’s got her excited, however, is her actionpacked role in ‘Don’. “I have been training in martial arts for the past six months. I’ve never been so physically involved in a role. It’s great fun – I never thought I would be doing all these stunts myself,” she reveals.

This year will also see Priyanka in many avatars. In the upcoming ‘Krrish’ with Hrithik Roshan, she plays a damsel in distress. “I am playing a regular, sweet and innocent girl. And for once, I’m playing my age,” she says. “Working with Hrithik is a different experience altogether. He’s such a dedicated actor,” she adds. As for Shah Rukh Khan, her co-star in ‘Don’, Priyanka says she’s learning a lot from him. “He’s the kind of person who will always teach you something or the other.” Priyanka says Farhan Akhtar’s version of ‘Don’ is a lot more modern and action-oriented. “Farhan makes it immensely easy for you to be a part of his film because he has everything – from the scenes to the costumes to the sequences – written down and in perfect order. “Another film she’s geared up for is ‘Love 2′, which she agreed to do to help good friend Herman Baweja after Kareena Kapoor walked out of the film. “I loved the script. It’s a futuristic, hi-fi kind of a film. Earlier I couldn’t accommodate dates, but when I saw they needed me, I somehow managed. Herman is a friend and I don’t look at it as a great favour done to him,” she says.

Priyanka Chopra finally took some time off from her busy shooting schedule to pay her respects to Goddess Vaishnodevi. The Chopra family have been meaning to visit the deity ever since Dr Ashok Chopra (Priyanka’s dad) went through a surgery several months ago. “It was wonderful. I felt totally at peace. And of course, I love being with my family,” revealed the star just before rushing off to Malaysia for Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don’ shoot. The main purpose of the trip was to fulfil a mannat she had taken for her dad’s health. Her family had gone through a tough time when Dr Chopra had to be admitted to a New York hospital late last year.