As the film "Kaminey" celebrates its 16th anniversary, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is reflecting on the movie's impact on her career. In a recent social media post, the actress described the 2009 film as a "turning point," acknowledging the significant role it played in shaping her journey in the film industry.
Chopra revealed that she was offered the role of Sweety Bhope while she was in Miami filming "Dostana". She recalled receiving a call from director Vishal Bhardwaj and admitted that she "never thought he would cast me because of my 'commercial' image at the time". Bhardwaj flew to Miami to narrate the story to her, and despite the relatively limited number of scenes for her character, Chopra trusted the director's vision. She said that she was just greedy as an actor to be able to get her hands on Sweety's story.
"Kaminey," directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, features Shahid Kapoor in a dual role, set against the backdrop of the Mumbai underworld. The film revolves around the rivalry between twin brothers, one with a lisp and the other with a stutter, over a single day. Chopra praised Shahid Kapoor's performance in the film, calling him "sensational" in his double role. She also lauded Amol Gupte's unforgettable performance.
Priyanka Chopra emphasized the valuable lessons she learned from Vishal Bhardwaj during the making of "Kaminey". She stated that she learned how to research, prepare, and then surrender to the part. She had wanted to work with Bhardwaj and a few years later, they worked together again in "7 Khoon Maaf".
Released on August 14, 2009, "Kaminey" was a commercial success and received critical acclaim. The film's soundtrack, particularly the song "Dhan Te Nan," gained immense popularity. "Kaminey" has since achieved cult status and has been recognized with several awards, including the Best Special Effects at the 55th Filmfare Awards and two awards at the 57th National Film Awards.
In a 2009 interview, Chopra expressed her excitement about the film's opening and shared her experience working with Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj. She also noted that "Kaminey" respects the intelligence of the audience and brings a new approach to storytelling in Indian cinema.