Hope Priyanka's international fame helps 'Jai Gangaajal': Jha

Panaji: For the sequel to his hit 2003 cop drama "Gangaajal", Prakash Jha has roped in Priyanka Chopra and the filmmaker hopes that actress' new international fame will help the upcoming movie.

Titled "Jai Gangaajal", the film will see the 33-year-old actress, who has been catapulted to global fame thanks to her music videos and lead role in American TV series "Quantico", play a tough cop.

"Priyanka is the best. She has now achieved immense international popularity. With her own brand also she was fine. I hope that her international fame is good for the film," Jha told PTI on the sidelines of IFFI.

"Gangaajal" had Ajay Devgn as the lead in the role of a cop. The director said the story of the sequel made him chose a female protagonist.

"It is about a system which was working very well but they need a police who didn't interfere in the system. So they decide to get a lady officer, who will not give them any trouble and just do desk work. Little did they know that things would be different." Jha said he decided to make a sequel of "Gangaajal" after almost 12 years because he wanted to bring on-screen the change in relationship between the police and the common man.

"It has been more than 10 years since the first story. The relationship between people and police then and now has changed. So, I think it was necessary to make a film on the changed in scenario," he said.

One of the main ingredients of Jha's films has been its topical element be it "Mrityudand", "Gangaajal", "Apaharan", "Aarakshan" or "Satyagraha". But the director said it is not a conscious choice and he only makes films on social issues which are important to the country.

"It is not that I make films on topical issues. Others also do it... 'Jai Gangaajal' is not a political film. It is is the story of a cop. Just one incident does not make a film. Me chronicling social movements is about bringing out things to the fore."