Priyanka Chopra, a prominent figure in Bollywood and Hollywood, has revealed insights into her casting for the critically acclaimed film "Barfi!". In a past interview, Chopra recalled that director Anurag Basu initially had reservations about her playing the role of Jhilmil, an autistic woman.

Chopra, who has played numerous glamorous roles throughout her career, admitted that Basu wasn't entirely convinced she was the right fit for the character. According to Chopra, Basu expressed his doubts after visiting her at home and seeing her in a glamorous avatar, stating he might have made a mistake in casting her and should consider casting an autistic girl instead. Basu was looking for someone innocent and believable for the role.

Despite Basu's initial hesitation, Chopra was determined to prove she could portray Jhilmil effectively. She requested five days to participate in a workshop to demonstrate her capabilities. Chopra immersed herself in research, spent time with autistic children, and worked to understand the nuances of autism. She noted the wide spectrum of autism and the lack of a specific reference for Jhilmil, which led them to create the character from scratch.

Chopra and Basu collaboratively developed Jhilmil's character, focusing on subtle details to depict her mannerisms and emotions. Chopra suggested the idea of a forehead-touching scene to showcase the connection between Jhilmil and Barfi, as autistic individuals may not be comfortable with physical proximity like kissing.

Reflecting on the making of "Barfi!", Chopra expressed amazement at how the film came together. She found it bizarre that the film was made. Despite initial reservations and challenges, Chopra's portrayal of Jhilmil was highly praised, with critics calling it one of the best representations of autism in Indian cinema.

"Barfi!", set in the 1970s, tells the story of three individuals, two of whom have physical disabilities. Chopra's portrayal of Jhilmil Chatterjee, an autistic woman who falls in love with a deaf, mute man (played by Ranbir Kapoor), was considered a brave and demanding role. Despite having no dialogues, Chopra and Kapoor delivered outstanding performances.

Chopra's performance in "Barfi!" earned her numerous accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Actress and Filmfare Award for Best Actress. The film was also selected as India's entry for the 85th Academy Awards.