Priyanka Chopra gives tips from her survival kit to B-town aspirants whilst chatting with Shubha Shetty-Saha

Exploitation
“I was very skeptical about the kind of people I would meet when I entered the industry. But I realised that the cream of the industry is very cultured. It’s the middle rung of people who want to be the cream and are actually the creeps. Unfortunately, a newcomer ends up meeting these creeps. Initially, I was petrified of this ‘big bad world’. But now I want newcomers to change their perceptions. It’s not such a bad place. If you have your values intact and are talented, no one can stop you from being successful. Beginners tend to think ‘If I don’t give in or don’t suck up, I’ll not get work’. That’s not true. God has not made anyone so powerful.

Failure
“I cry every time my film flops. You mourn the film for a while, but you have to get up and move on because the next one needs you. If I dwell in my sorrow, I will not be able to give that much attention and excitement to the next. A film not doing well is pure destiny. If I get appreciated I look at it as my victory. Even if Drona and Love 2050 didn’t do well, they’ll be remembered for their special effects.  

Sycophants
“I hate sycophants. I immediately disconnect if someone is ‘fake’. You’ve got to be really dumb not to understand that someone is saying wonderful things to you because they need something from you. I like people who have opinions and give the correct one. Some people might hate my best performances. It is difficult for me to accept criticism, so I’ll defend myself till I die. But I’ll definitely give it a thought. The day I start thinking I know it all, I’ll quit. I’ve learnt everything on the job. 

Rumours and link-ups
“They still affect me, more so if my  family gets affected. Sometimes the media forgets that we have a family too. But I’ve become pretty strong. I don’t like giving importance to unimportant things. I don’t speak out against a random rumour. That makes it a bigger story.

Camps
“I have never been ‘campy’. I’ve worked with varied people, because I don’t get too involved with the people I work with. After work I rush back home. I don’t believe that if a friend is fighting with somebody, I should take his side. Each one has to fight his own battle. I’m not here to make friends; I never was and never will be.”