Global superstar Priyanka Chopra has ignited a wave of anticipation surrounding her highly-anticipated comeback to Indian cinema through director SS Rajamouli's upcoming magnum opus, 'Varanasi'. The film, which pairs her opposite Telugu cinema icon Mahesh Babu, marks her first major Indian project in nearly six years, following a successful stint in Hollywood with multiple acclaimed productions.
Priyanka Chopra Reflects on Hollywood and Bollywood Filmmaking Cultures
In a candid and revealing interview with ScreenRant, Priyanka Chopra opened up about the distinct experiences of working across Hollywood and Indian film industries. She elaborated on how transitioning between these two cinematic worlds has profoundly influenced her approach as an actor and artist.
When questioned about whether she imports lessons from international sets back to India, Priyanka provided a nuanced perspective. "Um, yes, I think that the culture of filmmaking is very different in Hollywood versus how we work in India, and you have to pivot your brain. So I can divide my brain into two. I don't think there is a world in which you bring lessons from there, here, or vice versa. I think you have to, like, immerse yourself into..." she explained thoughtfully.
She further emphasized the director-centric nature of filmmaking, stating, "And I believe, anyway, an actor's journey is through a director's vision, whether it was Ilya in heads of state or any other work that I've done abroad, all filmmakers in Hindi cinema or television cinema. I think you just have to go into every film set with, you know, the originality of whatever you're going to receive from that set."
Expressing her joy about returning to Indian cinema, Priyanka added, "But, I'm so happy to be coming back and, you know, making this movie in India, because if there was any other, any way to come back into Indian cinema, it was this."
Teasing Future Franchise Returns: Don 3 and Krrish 4
With Priyanka officially back on an Indian film set after her extended hiatus, conversation naturally turned toward the possibility of her revisiting two of her most beloved and successful franchises - the 'Don' series alongside Shah Rukh Khan and the 'Krrish' franchise with Hrithik Roshan.
Addressing the swirling speculation with characteristic candor, the actress revealed, "I don't know if I can talk about either of them at all." Her intriguingly vague response prompted her 'Varanasi' co-star Mahesh Babu to playfully interject, "Then there's something happening."
Priyanka then tantalizingly teased, "Exciting, exciting times ahead, and, yes, this (Varanasi) is the first one that I'm doing after, like, almost six years in India, and just coming back. My favourite part, was getting to dance again, haven't done that in any of my Hollywood productions. I was really excited to be able to do that."
Upcoming Projects and Release Timeline
While 'Varanasi' remains approximately a year away from its theatrical debut, Priyanka Chopra continues to maintain her global presence with other projects. Later this month, she is set to captivate streaming audiences with the digital release of her Hollywood production 'The Bluff', scheduled to premiere on OTT platforms on February 25, 2026.
The actress's return to Indian cinema represents a significant moment for the industry, blending her international experience with the vibrant storytelling traditions of Bollywood. Her collaboration with SS Rajamouli, known for blockbuster epics like 'Baahubali' and 'RRR', combined with Mahesh Babu's star power, positions 'Varanasi' as one of the most anticipated films in recent memory.
