'Bajirao Mastani' not competing with 'Dilwale': Priyanka

Mumbai: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Dilwale" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Bajirao Mastani" are set for a box-office clash next month, but actress Priyanka Chopra feels the two films are not competing with each other as they are different in terms of content.

The Rohit Shetty directed much-awaited "Dilwale" brings back the iconic on-screen pair of Shah Rukh and Kajol.

"Bajirao Mastani" stars Ranveer Singh as Peshwa Bajirao, Deepika Padukone as Mastani while Priyanka essays the role of Kashi Bai. Both the films are set to release on December 18.

"I don't think we are competing. I think both are beautiful and different kind of films. The genres of both the films are different, made by two prolific filmmakers. It has been made out as a competition, but it is not," Priyanka told reporters here at a promotional event of "Bajirao Mastani".

"Being a part of this film, I would try to promote it as much as I can. We have Bajirao and Mastani, Sanjay Sir and I to promote the film. But, this product doesn't need much promotion. When it is played, it speaks for itself," she said.

The 33-year-old "Mary Kom" actress revealed that she was the first one to be cast for "Bajirao Mastani".

"I was the first one to be finalised for this film. I knew I was to play Kashi. We were shooting for 'Mary Kom' when Bhansali sir told me about this film. I never knew who would play Bajirao and Mastani," Priyanka said.

"For me it was tempting to play a character (Kashi Bai) as it never got voice in history. I have always played strong characters. It was difficult to play a gentle character like this. But I would be open to play Bajirao and Mastani," she said.

Priyanka is busy shooting in the US for her popular TV show "Quantico" and back home in India she is promoting "Bajirao Mastani".

"My shooting (for 'Bajirao Mastani') got over before I started 'Quantico'. There was little work that was left and for it I used to fly down from the US, come here and complete my part. The film started at Kashi vila and then we finished my major chunk, then shooting of Bajirao and Mastani began," she said.

Filmmaker Prakash Jha, who has teamed up with Priyanka for the sequel of "Gangaajal", recently said that he hopes the international fame of the actress will help her films get more love from audience here.

To this, Priyanka said, "I hope my films benefit from my previous work as an actor."
"Bajirao Mastani" releases December 18.