Priyanka Chopra’s role in the 2012 film ‘Barfi!’ is undeniably one of her best performances till date. Her performance left a lasting impression, and the film, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Ileana
D’Cruz, has since achieved cult status. Now, just days ahead of the film completing 13 years since its release, Priyanka reminisced about her journey of becoming Jhilmil Chatterjee. She revealed that while initially director Anurag Basu could not imagine her as Jhilmil, she earned the role after going through intense workshops, research and breaking out of her comfort zone. In her post, Priyanka also heaped praise on her co-stars Ranbir and Ileana.
Priyanka Chopra Reveals Her Prep For Barfi Character Jhilmil
Priyanka Chopra took to her Instagram and shared a video montage of her stills from Barfi! In her caption, she recalled, “In Jan 2009, while filming ‘Anjaana Anjaani’ in New York with Ranbir Kapoor, he mentioned his next, Barfi! With Anurag Basu, a filmmaker I admired. So when Sir offered me Jhilmil, I was thrilled. We met at my Mumbai home, I’d just returned from an event, dressed to the nines. He took one look and said he couldn’t imagine me as Jhilmil. I understood, I didn’t want to mess it up either. We agreed to workshop for 5 days.”
View this post on Instagram
She further added that she and Anurag Basu immersed themselves into research, reading, watching videos and meeting children on the autism spectrum, and doing exercises in the director’s Aram Nagar office. “One day, he asked me to hurl vile Hindi expletives at him. Mortified, I still tried, it was hilarious, liberating, and pulled me out of my comfort zone. After more “Basu-style” drills, Jhilmil was born,” she wrote.
Priyanka recalled that most scenes of Jhilmil were improvised. She also revealed that the film holds emotional significance, as it was one of the last times her father, Ashok Chopra, visited her on set before his death in 2013, after years of battle with cancer.
Priyanka Chopra Praises Her Barfi Co-Star Ranbir Kapoor
“Barfi! remains one of my most treasured films – for the creativity, the crew, and the joy of shared challenges. Ravi Varman’s cinematography was pure poetry. Gorgeous Ileana D’Cruz brought such grace to Shruti, Ranbir shone like the star he is, and Anurag Sir, brilliant, gentle, playful. His storytelling is magic,” wrote Priyanka.
She further went on to add that they shot for Barfi! over two years with breaks, and were unsure whether the audience would embrace the film. “They did beyond our dreams. The love for Jhilmil has stayed with me ever since. On this nostalgic Saturday, I felt like sharing. What are you reminiscing about these days?” she concluded.
