'Dibakar Banerjee has always been in my list of dream directors'

Parineeti Chopra, who has only been in the industry for six years now, and has been a part of nine films, mostly in different genres, says she prefers not to play repetitive characters.

"Audiences are keen to see a performance, as much as they like watching the stars and larger-than-life films. So being able to deliver in different genres and tackle a variety of roles has more value. Personally, for me, repeating myself at this stage of my career would just be uninspiring. I like to challenge myself and present a new shade with each film," the actor says.

She was last seen on screen in the comic entertainer Golmaal Again, which minted over Rs 200 crore in India. Does crossing these benchmarks matter to her? "I would be lying if I said the Rs 100 crore benchmark doesn't matter. It matters to every actor. It just shows how much the audience loves you, and I love that feeling."

Her next project is Dibakar Banerjee's Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. Parineeti says Dibakar was always in the list of her "dream directors" ever since she started acting. "Working with him has involved elaborate preparations and very focused workshops. He has an exquisite eye for nuance and detail," she says, adding, "His characters make his movie stand out. I am thoroughly enjoying this process of shooting for the film with him."

Parineeti will be seen as a fiercely ambitious girl in the film. Is she similar in real life? "I am ambitious, yes, just not fiercely ambitious. When I take up something, I give it my absolute best. I focus on it 100 per cent. But, at the same time, I don't like ambition that tries to put other people down. I feel there is enough room for everyone to grow."

Whether it be Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, Ishaqzaade and Shuddh Desi Romance or Hasee Toh Phasee, Daawat-e-Ishq and Meri Pyaari Bindu, Parineeti says when she plays a character, she tries to bring it alive with "human, believable traits and nuances."

"I want to work on varied characters, films and subjects. In that sense, I am passionate more than ambitious. My character in Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, though, is super ambitious and that makes her different from me. But that's the fun of being an actor, you get to live someone else's life, dreams, aspirations."

Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, which is slated to release next year, also stars her Ishaqzaade co-star Arjun Kapoor. She says her relationship with Arjun has not changed. "Arjun has certainly evolved as one of today's bankable actors, which is a huge achievement. His understanding of the craft and his eagerness to learn set him apart. With Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, we are doing a very intense film together... We are at loggerheads in the film," she says.