Can one actress play twelve distinct roles in a single feature film?
In short: In the 2009 romantic comedy What's Your Raashee?, Priyanka Chopra made cinematic history by portraying twelve different characters, each representing a zodiac sign. Eschewing prosthetics, she relied on voice, body language, and costume to differentiate the women, a feat that earned her consideration for the Guinness World Records.
Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film is based on the Gujarati novel Kimball Ravenswood by Madhu Rye. The plot follows Yogesh Patel, an NRI who must marry within ten days to save his brother from financial ruin. To fulfill this, he meets twelve potential brides, all played by Chopra. Gowariker, seeking a lighthearted project after his historical drama Jodhaa Akbar, aimed for a 'frothy' romance, though the source material was described by Rye as a cunning sex thriller.
The production was a massive undertaking, filmed at 65 locations across Mumbai, Baroda, and Chicago. Chopra’s performance was the film's primary focus; she had to establish distinct personalities for each character, most of whom were between eighteen and twenty-four years old. The process was physically demanding, leading to her hospitalization for exhaustion. Despite the technical ambition, the film faced significant challenges, including the theft of its master copy by a lab official and a lukewarm reception due to its excessive runtime, which exceeded three and a half hours.
While the film was a financial failure, grossing ₹160 million, it received acclaim for its soundtrack—composed by newcomer Sohail Sen—and Chopra’s acting. Critics noted that while the screenplay was flawed, Chopra successfully transformed into twelve unique individuals. Her ability to shift between these roles without relying on special effects remains a notable achievement in Indian cinema, highlighting a shift in focus from the beauty of the lead actress to the depth of the characters themselves.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: What's Your Raashee?
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