Why have Bollywood's dancing girls ditched the Maximum City? The Hate Story 3 actress is perhaps the only one preferred on New Year's Eve
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 31, 2015)

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 2, 2015)

Priyanka Chopra's cousin Mannara who made her Bollywood debut in Anubhav Sinha's Zid last year, has moved in to her two-bedroom apartment. The idea came from her aunt, Pee Cee's mother, Madhu Chopra, during Lohri celebrations. And her mother who was present urged her to give it some thought.

"So within a month I shifted into my sister's old flat and her old room which she believes was lucky for her and is convinced some of the luck will rub off on me," says Mannara, adding that her aunt wanted her to have the bigger bedroom but she was happy with her sister's room.

The 24-year-old-actress insists she's really close to Pee Cee who she sometimes turns to for advice though now she has learnt to take decisions independently. "Now, mostly, if I want to chill out, I give her a call," she laughs.

Buzz is, Mannara had rejected Great Grand Masti. She confirms this saying, "I want to experiment with different roles."

Yeah, with Mary Kom as her role model, she'll need to pack a punch. 

We turn the spotlight on a bunch of new girls in Bollywood, who come with no pretension and no inhibitions
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; May 24, 2015)

Bollywood is witnessing a surge of fresh-faced actresses who don’t mind going risqué in their very first role. The films they are part of, not only require enacting intimate scenes or wearing skimpy outfits, but even signing a nudity clause. Producer Ekta Kapoor has incorporated a nudity clause in her upcoming erotic thriller XXX, directed by Ken Ghosh. The nudity clause means any actor becomes legally bound to expose as much as he or she is asked to according to the demand of the script. It also includes shooting intimate scenes and use of explicit language. hitlist spoke to these girls with guts...

Manasvi Mamgai
When I signed for my debut film Action Jackson (2014), I knew my character had to wear skimpy outfits, but I was told that it would be shot in an aesthetic way. I didn’t really have inhibitions because my co-star was Ajay Devgn and director was Prabhu Dheva. When you are told that there is a demand for bold scenes, you have to see what the set up is. My parents were fine when I told them about my bold character in the film. Times have changed and exposing is not that big an issue anymore. There are so many bold movies being made nowadays, but they are shot aesthetically. Signing a nudity clause is a bit extreme and I am not too sure if I would sign it. If it’s a sex comedy then I wouldn’t do it. I am not comfortable with that genre.


Sneha Arun
I make my debut in XXX and during the audition, I was extremely uncomfortable. I decided to turn back, but then I was told to give it a try. It went bad, but I got it right the second time. I was really nervous. My mind was prepared, but my body was not ready for it. I am a theatre artiste, but enacting the bold scenes made me hesitant. After 20 days I got a call saying I had been selected. I immediately called my parents and told them about the film and the role. They asked me if I was okay doing it. I looked upon it as an actor doing work. I started watching Sunny Leone’s videos as part of my preparation. I am confident about doing the role, though I don’t know if I will be comfortable. After meeting the film’s director Ken Ghosh, I was fine. Coming from a Pune-based Maharashtrian family, it is a big deal, but my parents said that you act and we will take care of the rest. Often we think we are mentally prepared, but when the scene happens we are not. The shoot was done in absolute privacy. Ekta Kapoor and Ken Ghosh made sure that very few people were on the sets and that there were mostly females on the set. I treated my co-actor as if he was mine and not just a co-star — that’ s how the intimate scenes came out really well. I am a shy, homely person but the fact is I had been looking for opportunities since the last four years. I started acting when I came to Mumbai in 2011, took up dance classes and did theatre. I have done a couple of reality shows. There are thousands of aspiring actresses and are good looking, but very few can act. I was hesistant initially but I believe in destiny, I think I was at the right place at the right time. When I heard about the nudity clause, I did go numb for a moment. I thought I am going to be naked. To avoid us backing out later or changing our minds, the makers incorporated the nudity clause.


Mannara Chopra
After I shot for a South film, I went for a few auditions one of which was my Bollywood debut Zid (2014) – an erotic thriller. I auditioned twice and brushed up on my Hindi. When I was selected and told about the bold scenes, I agreed as long as I could watch the film with my family. I would not, however, sign a nudity clause. I haven’t set any limits, but would prefer doing roles which families can watch.


Kyra Dutt
After I did the Kingfisher calendar in 2013, I began modelling and started auditioning for films. I also enrolled at Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares. As a model, I am comfortable with my body, but I did give it a lot of thought when I was selected for XXX. There were three rounds of auditions. When I was told that I have bagged the role, I called my parents first. In our family, girls are pushed to realise their ambitions. When I told them about XXX, they were happy that I got my first break with Balaji. As for the nudity clause, I knew what I was getting into, so it was not a big deal for me. The DoP of the film is a woman — when you know there is a woman behind the camera you automatically become comfortable.


Pryanca Talukdar
I am from Kolkata and started modelling a year back. XXX is my Bollywood debut. Ken called me for the role and I auditioned. When he told me about the film and the requirements of the role, being a model I was pretty comfortable with wearing a bikini. Later, he told me that there was more to it, so I told him to give me time to think. I spoke to my family and they said go ahead. I still can’t believe that I am doing a film. So many people come to Mumbai every day to become actors; they struggle for years. Now that I am doing this film, I am not thinking whether I should have started with a bold film. My dad still does not know the name of the film. My mom is an actress in the north-east. She has told me to not keep thinking that your father or brother is watching it – take it as a role and give it your best shot. India is accepting such genre of films now.

Sonup Sahadevan (MID-DAY; May 14, 2015)

While the male leads of Great Grand Masti, the third instalment of Masti franchise, have been locked, casting for the leading ladies has reached an apparent roadblock. Sources say that the casting team is finding it tough to zero in on three female faces who will be bold enough to mouth double entendres on screen.

“The hunt is on for slightly known faces, someone who is as famous as a Karishma Tanna, for the lead roles. We need a second female lead as well. They all have to be voluptuous. While there will be no erotic lovemaking sequences in the movie, the ladies should be comfortable delivering double meaning dialogues,” informs a unit hand.

Apparently, the makers had approached Priyanka Chopra’s cousin Mannara to play one of the leads, but the actress declined the offer citing that she was interested only in solo leads. As far as the lead actors are concerned, the original cast of Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani and Vivek Oberoi is said to have been retained.

Both producer Ashok Thakeria and Mannara were unavailable for comment.

Mannara, who made her Bollywood debut with 'Zid' in 2014, is said to have sent a few scripts to cousin sister Priyanka Chopra for approval, but her wait for response lingers on
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; March 17, 2015)

Looks like Mannara is biding her time. The actress, who happens to be Priyanka Chopra's cousin, made her debut last year with Anubhav Sinha's 'Zid' and has since got a few offers. However, if sources are to be believed, she has been running the scripts through PeeCee before signing on the dotted line, but the latter is yet to respond.

A source says, "Mannara has been meeting people for work, but she has always looked up to her sister and wishes to consult her before singing her next film. Priyanka, too, had extended a helping hand by promoting 'Zid' online. Recently, Mannara had script reading seasons with certain filmmakers, but she is yet to say yes to them as she is awaiting Priyanka's response."

Piggy Chops has been in the US for almost two months now for her international TV show, 'Quantico'. Another source says, "Priyanka has a busy schedule in the US which may not have allowed her time for family. She is shooting for the show and working on her music album as well. She recently wound up other work assignments."

Mannara remained unavailable for comment.

Zid director Vivek Agnihotri says he wants nothing to do with what the film has ended up as
Subhash K Jha (DNA; November 28, 2014)


Vivek, who is currently shooting Junooniyat in Kashmir, is livid that his name is still attached to the project. He says, “Anubhav Sinha, who is an old friend of mine, came to me with the proposal to remake the German film The Good Neighbour. He was distressed as three directors had already left the project. He asked me to step in. I couldn’t say no.”

He continues, “I finished the first schedule. When I returned, to my horror, they had shot erotic content behind my back. I was horrified. If you see The Good Neighbour there is no room for sex or erotica. The protagonists don’t even meet in the original story. How can they make love?”

Vivek tried to reason with Anubhav. But to no avail. “He told me, the minute the erotic content was announced, Zid was sold to the distributors, because my erotic thriller Hate Story was a hit. I’ve nothing against shooting erotica. Agar mujhe erotic film banaani hogi toh main danke ki chot par banaaoogna (if I’ve to make an erotic thriller I’ll do so without apology). But it has to be part of the story. Sex and nudity are not part of The Good Neighbour. How can they be a part of the remake?”

Vivek suspects the steamy scenes have been shot only for the teaser trailers. “I don’t know how or when Barbie or Mannara or whatever she calls herself now and her co-star Karan shot these scenes. But this is not the film I was asked to make. This is not The Good Neighbour. It’s something else. And I don’t want any part of it. I’m speaking about this now only because they’ve refused to remove my name from the credits.”

PC’s cousin Mannara who is all set to make her Bolly debut talks about the advantages of having a superstar in the family and more
Namrata Thakker (DNA; November 17, 2014)


The trailer of Zid went viral and has received over two million views on YouTube. How does it feel?
We are all on the top of the world. Super happy! I feel blessed, given the way my film has been received. I just hope all my hard work, sincerity and the trust that the film makers showed in me pays off and the film proves to be successful, both in multiplexes as well as single screens.

Usually actresses play safe with their debut films. Weren’t you apprehensive about taking up Zid since its a bold film?
I completely followed my instincts when I heard the script. It was a difficult role but my director and producer had confidence that I could pull off a character like this. It has a wide spectrum of emotions and I sincerely hope that I did justice to it.

There are a lot of bold and intimate scenes in Zid. Do you think you would get typecast because of the same? Actresses like Mallika Sherawat and Sunny Leone did get typecast…
Though the movie is bold, it is not full of intimate scenes, rather it is an amalgamation of drama, thrill and wonderful music which most certainly will keep the viewers engrossed. I feel lucky that I was chosen to take up this role, in turn interpreting, showcasing and bringing onscreen the character I play. I’ve put my best foot forward and have left no stone unturned in doing so, doing justice to the challenging and performance-based script. I just hope that filmmakers like my work and the industry welcomes me with open arms and I get opportunities to experiment with roles which would challenge my acting capabilities.

We have heard that you’re a Kathak dancer and have even learned hip-hop and belly dancing. So wouldn’t it have been better to debut with a dance film since the genre is also growing in Bollywood?
I believe that an actor doesn’t choose his/her debut film, it’s the film that chooses the actor and then destiny plays its role! Also, it’s rather important to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself as a person and as an actor and I guess playing Maya, I discovered a different side to myself and the character, somebody who is nice, bubbly, emotional, bold and perilous at the same time highlighting various shades of the character.

Your cousin sister Priyanka Chopra tweeted about the trailer of your film. She even clarified about your Twitter account which is nice. Do you think having a superstar in the family helps?
It certainly does! And especially when it’s somebody as helpful and motivating as Priyanka Chopra. She is a pillar of support and helpful at the same time. When you have someone like her who is at the top of the heap, all her experience comes handy to us newcomers who are making an entry into the same world.

You started your career down South with Prema Geema Jantha Nai. Any particular reason because by then you had already done commercials with Priyanka and you did get noticed…
I consider it to be a privilege to work with Priyanka but every individual has a journey of his own and mine started down South. I genuinely loved working there. Now I am very happy with my Bollywood debut, Zid.

Is Bollywood your only focus for now or are you open to doing films down South as well?
I’m open to all kinds of films and industries as long as I love the script and the setup.

Any other Bollywood films offered to you?
The response to my trailer has been overwhelming. I have just taken my baby steps into this world. My agency is in talks with several filmmakers. But right now my priority is my debut film.

What kind of rapport do you share with Priyanka and Parineeti. Do you go to Priyanka for any professional advice?
We have a very healthy relationship as sisters and I definitely seek PC’s advice when I feel it’s needed.

Lastly, both Priyanka and Parineeti love singing. Is that the case with you as well?
Yes, I love singing too. Singing runs in our family.

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; November 1, 2014)

If gossip mills are to be believed, Priyanka Chopra was supposed to release the online promos of Zid starring her cousin, Mannara (earlier known as Barbie Handa) on October 27. However, she postponed it by a couple of days over certain differences.

A source says, “The original plan was that Priyanka would post the promo’s link on her microblogging site on Monday but she did it only three days later as she had not approved of it. But later, Mannara spoke to her and convinced her to promote the film, which is an erotic thriller.” A source close to Priyanka says, “She has been promoting Mannara more than any of her other cousins (Parineeti Chopra, Meerra Chopra) as they are quite close to each other. Priyanka had even posted the first poster of Zid. On her part, Mannara prefers to consult her off and on.”

Priyanka remained unavailable for comment.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 27, 2014)


Priyanka Chopra's first cousin, Barbie Handa, has now been been rechristened Mannara to make her name more 'marketable'. It was the producer of her debut Hindi film, Zid, Anubhav Sinha, who insisted on a new name beginning with the letter M as he is a huge Madhuri Dixit fan. "Barbie was too childish a name for a grown-up girl, actually it was her nickname," says Sinha.

Mannara admits she'd been planning the change for a while now, urged on by her family. "I liked Mannara, a Greek word meaning 'something that shines', and everyone approved," she beams.

She has done a course in fashion designing and has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration before relocating to Mumbai. She admits being Priyanka Chopra cousin helps in Bollywood. "You get invited to industry events and meet the right people," she points out, quickly adding that she had to go through five rounds of auditions before she was selected for Zid.

Mannara features completely nude in the movie's poster and is blase about it. "We are in 2014 and I can't be in a ghoonghat. If I wanted to be all covered, I'd do a saas-bahu serial. I have a hot body and I don't mind showing it," she says proudly.

And what was Priyanka's reaction? "Before the poster was shot, I called up Priyanka who was in Barcelona for a film. She told me to go for it, but ensure that it's done aesthetically and didn't look sleazy. I took her advice and am getting lots of compliments," she smiles.