New Delhi,Dec 26: Priyanka Chopra is sad that her film Barfi! is out of the Oscar race but the actress says she is glad that the film was sent in as the official entry from India.
The Anurag Basu-directed film, starring Ranbir Kapoor as a deaf and mute boy and Priyanka as an autistic girl, was initially in the running to qualify for the best foreign language film category at the 85th Academy Awards but failed to make it to the shortlisted nine films.
"I am very sad about it. We as a team are sad about it. But I am glad the film was considered and sent as India's official entry to the Oscars. It was a very special film for us. We made it from the heart and I am really happy for the kind of response I've got for Jhilmil's character," Priyanka told PTI.
Her role as an autistic girl earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike and the film also enjoyed a good box office collection.
"I was very nervous about playing a differently-abled person. It could have been a caricature or it could have looked fake. I am grateful people have seen it for what we were trying it to be," she said.
The film recently had its premiere at the Marrakech film festival, where a number of fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of the film's stars. "It was an amazing premiere at Marrakech, there were thousands of people standing in the cold. It was really great."
The actress has a number of projects at hand now, including the Mary Kom biopic being made by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
"I'll start work on the Mary Kom project in mid-next year and I have to begin training for that. I have met her and she is very involved with the project because the film is inspired by her life. She is a great girl, so much fun and has been very helpful so far," said Priyanka.
The 30-year-old former Miss World, who was in the Capital on Christmas day to launch UNICEF campaign for education of adolescent girls, is currently juggling between the sets of Gunday and the remake of Zanjeer.
"I'm in the middle of shooting both Zanjeer and Gunday right now. Christmas was my day-off that's why I am here. I've just finished shooting for Krrish 3," she said.
Asked about her New Year plans, Priyanka said, "I am taking two days off for New Year and will spend them with my father, who is unwell."
She has been the brand ambassador for UNICEF for a few years now. Although she is doing her bit for social causes, the actress said her profession as an entertainer is separate from her philanthropic work.
"Unfortunately it is too idealistic to say that we should only do films which have a moral, because not too many people will turn up at the theatres to watch such films.
"The profession is basically entertainment. We shouldn't give it that kind of responsibility or put pressure that only make films that are about causes or give a message to the society, because people have no interest in preachy films, unfortunately," said Priyanka.
