Gurinder Chadha wants to cast Priyanka Chopra in her next film; duo to discuss ideas soon

Gurinder Chadha, who has previously directed Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004) and the upcoming Viceroy’s House (2017), has worked with many popular Indian actors in these crossover films like Aishwarya Rai, Anupam Kher and Nadira Babbar, to name a few.

Now the director and screenwriter is all set to embark upon her new venture with Priyanka Chopra. Chadha is currently in India to promote the Hindi version of her film Viceroy’s House. The film has been titled Partition: 1947 for an Indian release which is to happen on 18 August this year.

“I am in talks with Priyanka’s mother, Madhu Chopra, for something (referring to a film). I met her mother in Cannes and told her I have great ideas. She said ‘Yes, let’s work it out’,” Gurinder told PTI.

Gurinder, however, states she has not discussed the idea of a film with Priyanka yet.

“I will be going to America soon, so I will be meeting her (Priyanka) and will talk about the idea that I have.”

On whether the film with the Quantico actress will be an international project, Gurinder says, “She has been producing films and I hope it is international (the one that we do together). I can’t think of doing India-centric film alone as I am half-British and Indian.”

There have been reports of her making a sequel to Bend It Like Beckham but Gurinder says she is instead contemplating to get the stage version of the 2002 hit movie to India.

She further says she is working on a film which is on the lines of Bend It Like Beckham.

“There is a project that I am working on with England’s support. It is about a boy and girl. It has the same feel as Bend It Like Beckam but it is different. It does not have a background of football or sports. It is more about music. I will have the British-Asian perspective in the same way as Bend It Like Beckham,” she says.

— With inputs from PTI