
Priyanka Chopra says Anurag Basu couldn't imagine her as Jhilmil for 'Barfi!', praises Ranbir Kapoor: 'He asked me to vile Hindi expletives'
and
. The movie, directed by
, is now considered a classic, and Priyanka's performance is remembered as one of her best.
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As the film is about to complete 13 years since its release, she shared how the role came to her and the effort it took to bring Jhilmil to life.
Moments from 'Barfi!'
Priyanka Chopra shared a video montage on
featuring her moments from 'Barfi!' and, in the caption, looked back on her experience she revealed '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.'
'We immersed ourselves in research, reading, watching videos, meeting children on the autism spectrum, and doing exercises in his 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 added.
Priyanka said many scenes in the film were improvised and that the project holds a special place in her heart, as it was one of the last times her father visited her on a film set before his passing in 2013.
Praising Ranbir for his stellar performance
She also praised Ranbir for his stellar performance, '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," she wrote.
'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?" Priyanka concluded.

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