Tanvi The Great’s Shubhangi Dutt talks about being compared to Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Jhilmil’ character in Barfi!: ‘ I had already imbibed a lot of…’ |

Shubhangi Dutt is earning praise for her powerful portrayal in Tanvi The Great, where she plays a young autistic girl with extraordinary emotional depth. Naturally, comparisons have been drawn to Priyanka Chopra’s acclaimed performance as Jhilmil in Barfi!—but Shubhangi is carving her own path. When asked about comparisons between her role in Tanvi The Great and Priyanka Chopra’s portrayal of Jhilmil in Barfi!, Shubhangi told Bollywood Bubble that while both roles may seem similar on the surface, her approach to Tanvi was completely distinct. She shared that the character was deeply challenging, and instead of drawing from a single reference, she immersed herself in extensive research. In fact, even before the shoot began, she had already internalized many of Tanvi’s mannerisms, shaping her portrayal through personal interpretation rather than imitation.The actress further revealed that her preparation for Tanvi The Great involved not just research, but also a process of eventual unlearning. On her director’s advice, she continued studying various sources until rehearsals began, at which point he told her to forget everything she had learned to find a more instinctive performance. When she met the real Tanvi, she sought clarity on whether she should mirror her exact behaviour. But the only guidance she received was to “observe her soul”—a cue that helped Shubhangi craft a portrayal rooted in emotional truth rather than imitation.Concluding her thoughts, she also shared that her director’s intention was for her to embody the essence of every autistic individual through her own creative lens. While she didn’t grasp it immediately, the meaning became clearer over time. Once it did, she built a complete inner world for Tanvi—one she visualised and stayed true to throughout her performance.