'I like Priyanka's wicked sense of humour'

Director Farhan Akhtar writes exclusively for HT City and tells us why Priyanka Chopra will rock this year.

Hello and welcome to 2009! The number 2009 adds up to 11, which then adds up to 2, which means nothing whatsoever to me, but for those who believe in it — congratulations!

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For the film industry, the New Year means a new set of award functions and this year, my friend Priyanka Chopra is likely to be among the best actress nominees. Priyanka had quite a year, with six movies released in 2008. I remember it was after her fourth film in a row not doing well that I got a call from a journalist.

The newspaper was prematurely running Priyanka’s professional obituary and the journalist asked me if this bad run at the box office signalled the end for Priyanka, and whether I would still work with her. In my view, Priyanka is extremely talented, sincere and thorough, so there is no reason why she shouldn’t do well. We all have our professional ups and downs. And then she did wind up the year with two big hits. To re-quote a much-heard phrase: ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent.’

Actor-filmmaker-singer Farhan Akhtar is the host of Oye it’s Friday on NDTV Imagine