Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 8, 2018)

Priyanka Chopra’s fortnight-long holiday in India last month saw her do it all — from delivering a spectacular act at an awards gala to attending a special UNICEF conference in Delhi to enjoying some family time. Now, we’ve learnt that the actor also took some time out during her recent visit to zero in on her next production.

After producing the National Award-winning Marathi film Ventilator in 2016 followed by Kay Re Rascala (2017), Chopra has greenlit another Marathi project — Firebrand. The drama will be helmed by Aruna Raje, who has previously directed socially relevant films like Rihaee (1988) and Gehrayee (1980), besides bagging National Awards for her documentaries.

A source close to the actor tells mid-day, “Priyanka was sold on the story when she first read it, few months ago. During her visit last month, she worked with Aruna on the final draft of the script, giving her inputs wherever necessary.”

The drama that goes on floors today features seasoned actors like Usha Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, Sachin Khedekar and Rajeshwari Sachdev. While Jadhav plays a successful lawyer, Kulkarni essays the role of her architect husband. Khedekar and Sachdev play another couple in the film that revolves around contemporary relationships.

Raje says, “I’m glad that Priyanka and Madhu Chopra are focussing on regional cinema.” Madhu Chopra says that after Ventilator, the production house was keen on producing another film that was rich in human emotions. “The acceptance of Ventilator reinstated my faith in backing scripts that have high emotional values and are entertaining.”