Tarun Manshukhani, the director who gave us the iconic Global-Desi-Girl Priyanka Chopra with Dostana, recently opened up about her incredible global success — and he’s quick to give her all the credit. During a chat celebrating the hit Housefull 5, Tarun joked that he didn’t really have a magic talent-spotting eye. “Honestly, I don’t have any hand in her global success,” he said. “She is the talent. She had the vision and worked hard for it.”
Far from taking credit, Tarun described himself as lucky to have worked with Priyanka at such an early stage in her career. “I think the only contribution of mine was that I was fortunate enough to get a movie with her,” he shared with a humble smile. It’s clear that for Tarun, the star’s dedication and vision were the driving forces behind her rise.
What made their collaboration even more special was the dynamic on set. Since Dostana was Tarun’s directorial debut, he confessed that Priyanka’s thoughtful questions about the characters and the story often made him stop and think. “Because she is thinking, now you are also thinking,” he explained. “It was an amazing process she brought to my sets, and even till today I follow the same process.”
Tarun also revealed a director’s mantra thanks to that experience: “I always think about what I am not thinking about. When an actor asks me a question, I should have an answer. Otherwise, they will think I don’t know my job, so I work hard, I prep hard.” Clearly, Tarun’s honest approach and Priyanka’s talent made for a perfect mix — one that helped launch a global icon.
Tarun’s journey in Bollywood has been nothing short of impressive. He started out as an assistant director on iconic films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Then came his directorial debut with Dostana, followed by Drive, and now he’s hit a jackpot with Housefull 5.