Priyanka Chopra: 'His statements have really upset me'

Mumbai, Feb. 16 -- Even as she is looking forward to the release of 7 Khoon Maaf this Friday, an altercation with one of her co-stars has left a bitter taste in Priyanka Chopra's mouth.

The mere mention of Annu Kapoor, who plays one of her seven husbands in Vishal Bhardwaj's screen adaptation of Ruskin Bond's novella, Sussanna's Seven Husbands, is enough to miff the usually politically correct Chopra.

It all started when Kapoor was questioned about Chopra's reported reservations about doing intimate scenes with him. When we reminded Chopra that Kapoor felt she had reservations because he is her father, Dr Ashok Chopra's friend, she says she's not certain he said that. "I read that Annu Sir had said: 'I'm not good-looking, I'm not a hero. Agar main hero hota (if I had been a hero), then maybe she would have done intimate scenes with me. Because otherwise, she doesn't have a problem doing intimate scenes with heroes. If talent goes out of the window, I guess you just need to be good looking,'" she recalls.

"If he wants to do intimate scenes and pass such cheap comments, then he should do those kind of films. Such scenes were never part of our film," states Chopra. She makes no attempt to hide the fact that she is still upset and angry because of Kapoor's remarks. "I'm very irritated. I don't think unko aisa kehna shobha deta hai (saying such things doesn't suit him at all).

However, she quickly adds that probably Kapoor didn't think his remarks would trouble her. "I don't think he knew that his comments would upset me. But, his statements have really upset me. It was very wrong of him to speak the way he did." No wonder when asked whom she got along with best during the making of the movie, Priyanka quickly replies, "Vishal sir." (Director Vishal Bhardwaj)

When we contacted Kapoor to know his reaction to Chopra's angry statements, the actor, who is currently in Berlin where 7 Khoon Maaf is being screened, replied via a text message: "I have never ever uttered a single word for or against Priyanka, allegedly about her refusing to do any scene with me. It's none of my business, it is between the director and her."
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He added, "When I'm asked about my feelings about playing her husband, I have said that people will judge my performance on merit rather than based on whether I'm playing husband to Priyanka or Meryl Streep. I may be a character artiste but I'm an artiste with character. My elderly advice to Priyanka: 'Beta (Well, I do affectionately address her as beta), don't take all this too seriously. Don't get stressed. You're a wonderful actress. God bless you.'"