Priyanka in tough cop avatar

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra appears in the role of a police officer, who takes on influential people in a district, in Prakash Jha-directed “Jai Gangajal”, and says the challenge for her was to combine feminism and acting tough.

“The most important thing was to still be feminine while playing a tough character like that of a cop. As a woman, it is very important to celebrate womanhood and yet be in a position of authority. I enjoyed playing the part it was very different for me,” Chopra said.

The actress was speaking at the trailer launch of “Jai Gangaajal”, which follows a similar plot to Ajay Devgan-starrer “Gangaajal” (2003) by Jha, although the director insists it's not a sequel.

The film revolves around female police officer Abha Mathur, who takes on the high and mighty.              

According to Priyanka, the film will touch relevant issues in the society. “Nobody talks about the relevance of what the film speaks about: Farmer suicides, corruption in society and politics, within which we all live. We have given importance to these issues in the film to show what really goes around. It is a very relevant and important film,” she added.

The actress said she was an “extremely proud feminist” and that with “Jai Gangaal” they are trying to blur the lines between a man and a woman. 

“I am a very proud feminist. I am someone who believes feminism is just a conversation about equality. It is not about hating or berating men. For eons, women have been treated as second class citizens and it's high time we are given the credit due.”

“We are talking about blurring the lines between a man and a woman,” the actress said.              

Priyanka is now enjoying the acclaim for her performance in “Bajirao Mastani” but says she still has not watched the film.

“I haven't even watched 'Bajirao Mastani' by the way. I haven't watched any film... The whole world is calling me and talking about Kashibai (the role she portrays) but I don't know how I've worked in the film.”