Miss World will not change the world: Priyanka

Priyanka Chopra, who is here on the panel of the judges to crown Miss World 2009, feels it is wrong to expect the winning beauty to change the world. "Miss World is not the President of a country, and people should not expect her to be that," Priyanka, who won the title in 2000, said. The 59th edition of the contest that takes place here this evening will see beauties from 112 countries participating and Priyanka says that the winner of the pageant is just another girl doing her bit to help. "She's just a girl who has been given this pedestal of power and position and she is going to do her bit to help whoever needs help, especially because the Miss World organisation does so much for children who are disadvantaged, sick and underprivileged," Priyanka said. "It's doing fundraisers, raising money for charities, so she is going to help people who need it, but she is not going to eradicate poverty or change the world," she added.

The beauty queen-turned-actress has not yet met Miss India, Pooja Chopra, at the rehearsals here, but has extended her best wishes to Pooja who is nursing a twisted ankle. Priyanka also explained what she would be looking for in the winner. "I'll be looking for a girl with substance who knows what she's saying and can face world media. I will see whether she can stand up to the pressure of being Miss World, because it comes with a lot of expectations," Priyanka said.

Priyanka, who has visited South Africa a number of times in recent years while shooting for films, said that the country to be "one of my most favourite places." "I love the people... Johannesburg is my first time, but I love Cape Town, where I've shot several films. The people, the place, the environment is so energetic," she said. When told that South African film critics were debating whether she or rival Kareena Kapoor was the best actress of 2009, Chopra thanked her local fans for the support they had shown for her roles in 'Kaminey' and 'What's Your Raashee?'. "You know I'm a Punjabi girl and to learn the Marathi and its unique culture, especially the body language, was extremely challenging. But I enjoyed doing that. Plus it was a bonus working with Vishal Bhardwaj, who is extremely talented," Priyanka said. "'What's Your Raashee' was also challenging because I played twelve roles, a first in the world for any actress," she added. Priyanka also talked about her upcoming film 'Pyar Impossible' with Uday Chopra which is set to hit the theatres on January 8. "That film is a beautiful romantic comedy. It's sweet story like the kind of movie you want to take your girlfriend to. It's about this geek guy who has always been in love with this unattainable girl and he totally believes how it is impossible that he can get somebody like her. The story moves forward when they meet and enter into each others' lives," Priyanka said.