Actor Priyanka Chopra recently took a trip down memory lane, revisiting her much-loved role of Jhilmil in Barfi! — a performance that continues to be one of the most cherished chapters of her career.

Sharing a detailed note on Instagram, Priyanka recalled first hearing about Barfi! in 2009 while shooting Anjaana Anjaani in New York with Ranbir Kapoor. When Ranbir mentioned his upcoming film with Anurag Basu, Priyanka said she was immediately excited, having long admired Basu’s filmmaking.

‘I didn’t want to mess it up’

Priyanka revealed that when Anurag Basu initially met her for the role, he confessed he couldn’t imagine her playing Jhilmil. Dressed glamorously after returning from an event, she admitted she understood his hesitation. The two agreed to spend five days workshopping the character before making any decisions.

Those workshops soon turned intense and transformative. Priyanka described immersing herself in research on autism spectrum behaviours, watching videos, reading extensively and meeting children on the spectrum. Basu also pushed her far beyond her comfort zone with unconventional acting exercises.

Breaking comfort zones to find Jhilmil

Recalling one memorable moment, Priyanka shared how Basu asked her to hurl Hindi expletives at him during an exercise — something she found mortifying at first but ultimately liberating. She said these “Basu-style” drills helped Jhilmil take shape, adding that many scenes between Barfi and Jhilmil were improvised rather than scripted.

She also noted that Barfi! was among the last films her father visited her on set, making the project even more emotionally significant.

A film that stayed forever

Calling Barfi! one of her most treasured films, Priyanka praised the entire team — from Ravi Varman’s “poetic” visuals to Ileana D’Cruz’s grace as Shruti, and Ranbir’s standout performance. She credited Anurag Basu’s gentle yet playful storytelling for the film’s enduring magic.

Priyanka said the film was shot over two years with breaks, with the team unsure how audiences would respond. “They embraced it beyond our dreams,” she wrote, adding that the love for Jhilmil has stayed with her ever since.

What’s next

On the work front, Priyanka will next be seen in SSMB29, directed by S S Rajamouli, alongside Mahesh Babu.