Pushkar Ambekar
6. Kaminey (2009)
Vishal Bharadwaj’s caper thriller is probably one of the few thrillers where the ending never felt anti-climactic. This is a movie about two twin brothers, Guddu and Charlie (Shahid Kapoor) and their almost comical opposite characters and that one fateful day when all hell breaks loose when they face off against one another. It would seem, that someone like Priyanka Chopra would be nothing more than eye candy for the largely male audience, but not to be. Sweety, the character played by Priyanka is Guddu’s dame and has played the gullible Marathi girl with utmost perfection and is a very mech lovable character in the film.
5. 7 Khoon Maaf (2011)
This was the time when Priyanka started experimenting and doing unconventional roles. Her role in Vishal Bharadwaj’s 7 Khoon Maaf as the serial husband killing Sussana Johannes cemented her place as one of the finest actresses in Bollywood. In all simplicity, the film’s title says it all; it traces Sussana’s seemingly unending struggle for finding true love in a marriage with each of her six husbands and how she ends up killing each one of them for reasons ranging from drug abuse, unfaithfulness, impotency, etc. The movie has a somewhat open ending where we are left to decide for ourselves as to who the seventh husband is (presumably Jesus himself). Though dark, Bharadwaj and Priyanka have managed to add a dash of humor in the tragedy filled story. Though not a commercial success, Priyanka’s acting was critically acclaimed and even got her a Critic’s Award for Best Actress.
4. Bajirao Mastani (2015)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus cinematically brilliant and is an ornate blend of excellent visuals and equally good acting by all the three leads (Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra). It’s a historical drama about the romantic exploits of Peshwa Bajirao 1 (Ranveer)detailing his love for his second wife Mastani (Deepika) and his scorned first wife, Kashibai (Priyanka). It was one of the highest grossing films of the year and won numerous accolades and praise from critics all over India. Though Priyanka was not the lead, she is the one who steals the show in the movie with her portrayal of the disappointed, hurt but ultimately loving wife of the Peshwa and is probably the most popularly acclaimed role of her career.
3. Barfi (2012)
One of Priyanka’s best known performance, her transition from just another mainstream actress to an almost method actor is showcased in Anurag Basu’s Barfi. Barfi is a mute and deaf boy. He chances upon Shruti (Ileana D’Cruz) and Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra) in separate events. After being smitten with Shruti but losing her, he kidnaps and Jhilmil (who is autistic) to finance his ailing father’s healthcare but eventually grows fond of her. Though both the leads have peaked in performance in the film, Priyanka has created on screen magic with Jhilmil. The movie was India’s entry for the 85th Academy Awards.
2. Mary Kom (2014)
For those who don’t know what the film is about (if you are living under a rock), it is an underdog story about May Kom, a Manipuri Boxer and her rise from a small time puncher to a World Boxing Champion. That is pretty much to it when it comes to synopsizing the film and though it received mixed reviews from critics, Priyanka’s performance was universally lauded. She underwent rigorous physical training and actually had to shoot with real boxers to portray realism as much as possible and did get hurt during filming.
1. Quantico (2015-present)
Priyanka Chopra’s big break. Her foray into Hollywood was preceded by Quantico, a drama thriller series revolving around a FBI recruit, Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra). When Alex is becomes a suspect for a terrorist attack in New York, she flees and becomes and outlaw. Eventually as the series progresses, she does manage to prove her innocence. The series is currently running into its third season and has received positive reviews from critics. Priyanka’s performance was particularly appreciated, being the first south Asian woman to have headlined an American TV show, which landed her the People’s Choice Award and made her popular in American homes.
Read More: Richard Gere Movies
