Journalism of Courage
From Aitraaz to The Sky Is Pink, 7 best performances of Priyanka Chopra
1 / 7Aitraaz: In this film, Priyanka Chopra played the role of a scheming, corporate gold-digger who accuses her employee Akshay Kumar of sexual harassment. An interesting piece of cinema in today's post Me Too world, this film established Chopra early on as an actress who was not scared to explore darker shades of her characters. (Photo: Movie Still)
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2 / 7Fashion: Madhur Bhandarkar's ode to the world of Indian fashion might not have been as impactful as it was, had it not been for Chopra's stunning, and now iconic, performance as supermodel Meghna Mathur who learns the price of success and her tinsel town dreams. This was also Chopra's first universally acclaimed performance - leading her to win a National Award for Best Actress as well. (Photo: Movie Still)
3 / 77 Khoon Maaf: Delicious darkness, seduction and fatality were some of the more outstanding traits of Susanna in this coal-dark comedy by Vishal Bharadwaj, where Chopra played the role of a woman who in her pursuit of true love murders all seven of her husbands. Based on a short story by Ruskin Bond, this is, and rightfully so, often touted as one of Chopra's best performances. (Photo: Movie Still)
4 / 7Barfi: A performance Chopra has repeatedly revealed to be very close to her heart, the actor spent months in autism institutions observing patients suffering from the disability. In a performance that could have easily come off as flashy, Chopra brought an unseen innocence and depth to the character of Jhilmil - rarely seen from her before. (Photo: Movie Still)
5 / 7Dil Dhadakne Do: In this classic ensemble drama by Zoya Akhtar, Chopra played the marvelously written character of Ayesha Mehra, the daughter of the family who learns to ask for more. In a role that was aided by superlative writing, Chopra won hearts in what was essentially a support act - combining glamour and emotional vitality in equal measure. (Photo: Movie Still)
6 / 7Bajirao Mastaani: You did not just root for Kashibai because she was the easier of the three to feel sorry for. Chopra made sure that despite her limited scenes, one felt the scorch of her dilemma - torn between her love for a man who has never wronged her and his decision to love another woman. Priyanka registered restrained anger, graceful vengeance, solemn duty and ultimately heartbreaking pain after finally realising the opportunity of playing a Bhansali heroine pining in love and longing. (Photo: Movie Still)
7 / 7The Sky Is Pink: This uneven, yet starkly impactful film by Shonali Bose had Chopra in a scene stealing performance of a mother who goes to every extent possible to make happy the limited years of her daughter's life. Chopra was fantastic in her portrayal of a mother's undying love for her child - and in a performance that could easily give way to flashy hysterics, Chopra brought forward unseen restraint and depth of feeling. (Photo: Movie Still)
