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Priyanka: It'd be extremely flattering if someone made a biopic on my life

Last updated on: May 06, 2014 18:09 IST
Priyanka Chopra

At the launch of her new single I Can't Make You Love Me, Priyanka Chopra fields questions on her singing aspirations, and the much talked about reports of a biopic based on her life.

Priyanka Chopra is busier than ever.

After wrapping up the shoot of the Mary Kom biopic, and shaking a leg with Hollywood star John Travolta at the recently concluded IIFA Awards in the US, Priyanka released the solo single of her debut album at a restaurant in South Mumbai. 

The newest single is a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s ballad I Can't Make You Love Me.

The Bollywood star enthralled the audience as she performed live for the first time at the launch.

The actress was visibly excited about the new song, an EDM (Electronic Dance Music) mix of the 1991 classic country ballad. 

"This is the first solo single where I haven't collaborated with any other artistes.

"I am really excited to share this song with you all. I hope you like it," she said to the audience.

In the brief conversation that followed, Priyanka explained why she chose this song as her first solo single, her plans for playback singing, and why she finds the idea of a film on her life disturbing.

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'Bonnie Raitt's ballad was my heartbreak song'

Last updated on: May 06, 2014 18:09 IST
Priyanka Chopra

Why did you choose the Bonnie Raitt's ballad for your first solo single?

I wanted the third song to be a solo single and had to decide which song we should go with.

There were some really great songs but I felt an instant connect with this one.

It's a special song for me, since it's a cover of Bonnie Raitt's ballad that has been done by several great artistes in the past. 

I remember singing this song when I was a kid.

I also read somewhere that you wanted to empower girls with this song.

When we are young, we have a favourite song for every situation. This song was my heartbreak song.

This song gives a vibe that I am in pain but I will still survive it.

In most videos of heartbreak songs the girl is always depressed and sad.

But when we were to shoot the video, I decided that it should be about a girl who is talking about her freedom and moving on, rather than crying over a broken relationship.

'I was really excited and nervous before the release of this new single'

Last updated on: May 06, 2014 18:09 IST
Priyanka Chopra at the launch

And how did you decide to give an EDM spin to this song?

When we decided to make a dance version of the song, I first heard the original to see if my version could do justice to such a classic.

Now when I see it, I really feel it's a great version. I was really excited and nervous before the release of this new single.

This is your third single and you have been accused of sounding different in each one of your songs...

I just sang live in front of you all so I don't think I can prove anything more.

I think it really depends on how the voice is treated after the song is mastered and rendered.

Maybe when I do a ballad, you will say that I sound different because I have a husky voice.

Are you planning to collaborate with any leading EDM producers like Armin Van Buuren or DJ Tiesto?

We have collaborated with Chainsmokers and I did a song -- Erase -- on their album.

We do have a few DJs on the album but it's not something that I can reveal right now.

'I would love to do playback singing'

Last updated on: May 06, 2014 18:09 IST
Priyanka Chopra in I Can't Make You Love Me music video

Will you sing your own songs in the films you do in the future?

The plan is to do that in my next few films.

I would love to do playback singing.

All my singles are in English and I would love to sing in Hindi as well. We are trying to work something out and you will soon hear about it.

When it comes to singing, who is your competition?

I compete with everyone. I have always believed in pushing the envelope and trying to do something different.

The way I look at it, sometimes I may take the right decision and sometimes I may not.

There have been times when my films have not worked.

It can also happen that the selection of the songs that I sing might not be good, but I would feel satisfied that I tried.

'It's really mind-blowing to hear that people are making a film on my life'

Last updated on: May 06, 2014 18:09 IST
Priyanka Chopra at the launch

Are you happy with the way your singing career is shaping up?

I never thought I would become a singer though I really love music and singing.

I often accompanied my father when he performed on stage and he would always dedicate a song to me.

So I grew up around a lot of music. I want to be able to do everything.

I will continue to do work in films as long as people want to watch me, and at the same time I would love to try something different.

There are rumours that a film on your life is being planned…

(Interrupts) It's really mind-blowing to hear that I have become so big that people are making a film on my life!

Jokes apart, I don't think I have become so big that people would make a film on me. I really haven't heard of anyone is doing it.

There are a lot of things that I still need to achieve. Maybe when I turn 40, people can decide to make a film because I am sure I will achieve whatever I want to by that age.

'It upsets me to see that people want to glorify something that was a painful part of my life'

Last updated on: May 06, 2014 18:09 IST
Priyanka Chopra in I Can't Make You Love Me

Said film is also believed to be showcasing your former manager Prakash Jaju, who spent over two months in jail for duping you.

I am doing a biopic on Mary Kom.

She sat with me during every scene that I shot and told me the emotions she felt during particular situations.

It would be extremely flattering for me if someone made a biopic on my life.

But this particular situation makes me very angry as I know what my family and I went through during that phase of our lives.

What upsets me is that people want to glorify something which was a painful part of my life.

I think it's extremely disturbing.