Could have done 'Mary Kom' even for free, says Priyanka

Actress Priyanka Chopra says she approaches every film like it is her 'Mughal-e-Azam' and she would have done 'Mary Kom' for free.

The actress will essay the life story of Olympic medal- winning boxer in the film, produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"Each film I do is like a 'Mughal-e-Azam' for me. For me every film of mine is special...So as of now this film 'Mary Kom' is 'Mughal-E-Azam' to me. I can't speak about my own performance, it's for others to decide," Priyanka told reporters here last night when asked if her performance in the film was better than 'Barfi!'.

"For me work is worship, I don't compare it with money. I do lot of hard work (for my films). If I get money, great, otherwise I will do a film like this only (free)," she said.

Kom, who had come with her husband K Onler Kom, was the special guest at the music launch.

Priyanka feels there is similarity between her and Kom's life.

"Mary's life is extremely inspiring. We have similarity like not the diamond and boxing ring, but in terms of our upbringing and where we come from and the fact that we two women stood alone in a male-dominated field," she said.

"She as a person is feisty, someone who stands for her rights and fights for what she believes in and that is not just an inspiration for me, but will be for every young person," she said.

Priyanka says she was quite stressed when the Olympic medal winner boxer was watching the film.

"I was shooting in Turkey for Zoya Akhtar's film. I knew Omung Kumar (director) would call me after Mary would see the film and I had to talk to her. My biggest stress was as this film was based on Mary, I should be able to do justice to her personality. And if she would not like anything then it would be a big failure for me," Priyanka said.

The film's director, Omung Kumar, said Mary appreciated the movie.

'Mary Kom' is set to release on September 5.

The actress agrees that there is a disparity in remuneration for heroes and heroines.

"But the day heroine-centric films do well, there will be no disparity," she said.

'Mary Kom' packs a tax-free punch