I thought acting was a brainless job: Parineeti Chopra

Parineeti Chopra says her decision to become an actor had nothing to do with her actor-cousin Priyanka Chopra. In fact, she used to hate the profession at one point, and thought it was a brainless job.

Parineeti Chopra says her decision to become an actor had nothing to do with her actor-cousin Priyanka Chopra. In fact, she used to hate the profession at one point, and thought it was a brainless job.

“My decision to become an actor had nothing to do with her (Priyanka) being an actor at all. I wanted to be a banker all my life. I studied and worked in England, then recession happened and nobody was getting jobs. So I came to India for a few months and planned to go back post recession to study more or apply for jobs again. I used to hate actors and acting. I thought it was a brainless job. But then I realised it’s not, and not everyone can do what actors can do in front of the camera. That is why they are very sought after. So I wanted to try it. It so happened that Maneesh (Sharma, director) decided to cast me in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011). Adi (Aditya Chopra, producer) saw one audition, which I didn’t even know was an audition and also approved of me. So it just happened.”

The two-film-old actor says she is extremely choosy when it comes to films. “I’m very selective. With Ladies vs Ricky Bahl and Ishaqzaade, things went very well for me and I got awards and appreciation. I didn’t want to make any hasty decision and choose a film just to look nice or to work with a star. I want to do films that have a lot of homework for me to do. Right from Shuddh Desi Romance, Hasee Toh Phasee, Kill Dil to Habib Faisal’s next, I have well-carved out roles,” she says.