Priyanka Chopra skillfully avoids questions on Shah Rukh Khan at Filmfare's press meet

If there is one thing that Karan Johar conveniently avoided on his popular chat show Koffee with Karan (Star World), it was quizzing Priyanka on her alleged affair with Shah Rukh Khan. For someone who likes to make his guests uncomfortable by digging into their sex and ex-lovers’ lives, it was rather surprising to see Karan maintain a stoic silence and let Priyanka get away. Suits you Karan but not us journalists. At the 59th Filmfare Awards press conference held at a suburban five star yesterday, Priyanka Chopra, who is hosting this year’s Filmfare awards, was the chief guest. The diva arrived fashionably late by almost two hours (even Shah Rukh Khan too is known for his consistent late arrivals). As soon as the floor was opened to the media for questions, Priyanka found herself being volleyed with a barrage of Shah Rukh related questions. But the intelligent actress knew how to tackle them all and she seemed to have come well prepared anticipating such questions. This is how it went. Priyanka, who has been your favourite filmfare host? Agar maine naam bata diya toh mujhe padegi. I can answer this question after I have finished hosting. Because if I pick one, then others would say ‘What a bad job that particular person did.’ So I will not take a name now. Let me finish hosting and once I do that well may be then I can tell you who my favourite emcee is. Don’t you think you and Shah Rukh would have made a great pair as hosts? (Attains a serious look) I think I can host the show with anyone. It shouldn’t be a problem. And I have not had much experience in hosting so I am happy doing it with Ranbir this time. You came in late for this event. Even Shah Rukh has a habit of turning up late for events… (Cuts in) You want me to take the person’s name so that some drama is created. Sorry to say, I won’t be indulging in any business of that sort. No matter how many times you ask me, I will answer it all only with a smile (flashes her pearly whites). But are you trying to overtake Shah Rukh because he was on time for an event yesterday and you were late….. (Cuts in again) I was late today because I was held up in a shoot and I have already apologized for the same. I coming in late has nothing to do with anyone else (smiles). We have seen former emcees of Filmfare indulge in some crazy antics. For instance, Shah Rukh had once dressed up as a woman. How crazy are you going to be this time round? Imagine me dressing up like a man (laughs). That is not going to happen. But yes, it will be pretty out there, futuristic and will be cool. We are still working on the concept and as a team we are trying to figure out if we can set the standard really well. Has any Filmfare emcee ever inspired you? I am not a “me too” person. I will try and make it different. Filmfare has had great emcees like Shah Rukh. Do you feel any pressure considering that this is your first time? I will leave Ranbir to handle that pressure alone. But yes there is a lot of pressure because high standards have been set by Shah Rukh, Saif, Ranbir and Imran. It’s both scary and exciting for me. But the real fun lies in doing something that is challenging.