Chopra: 'I'm grateful to Madhur Bhandarkar'

Priyanka Chopra has said that she is grateful to director Madhur Bhandarkar after winning a major honour for her role in Fashion.

The former Miss World was awarded a best actress National Film Award for her portrayal of a small-town girl making it big in the dark and grisly world of Indian modelling.

Chopra told Times Of India: "I'm thrilled that I've won a National Award so early in my career. Fashion is a special film to me. When Madhur narrated the script to me, I knew my character would leave her mark.

"While I picked up many awards for this performance including the Filmfare trophy, the National Award came as a natural culmination for a role I truly believed in. I'm grateful to Madhur for his faith in me."

She added: "Fashion was there competing with the best of regional cinema; and then to have still bagged an honour is something that gives me a terrific high.

"I'm on cloud nine. I'm happy for my co-actor Kangna Ranaut without who this character wouldn't be as effective as it was. Congratulations to her also."

Chopra is currently in New York shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala’s Anjaana Anjaani in which she will be seen starring opposite Ranbir Kapoor. The film is expected for release later this year.