Priyanka Chopra Jonas in her first global rom-com lead

CEBU, Philippines — In the heartwarming romantic comedy “Love Again”, Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mira Ray, a character that is more vulnerable than the Hollywood roles she’s known for.

“Mira is a very gentle character,” says Chopra Jonas. “I’ve played some very tough characters, so I was looking forward to tapping into my vulnerable side, reaching into the deep places in the heart. I’m a Cancer and a massive romantic – I really do believe in love and goodness. As cheesy as it might sound, it makes the world go around.”

“Love Again” tells the story of Mira Ray, a talented children’s book author and illustrator who deals with the loss of her fiancé by sending a series of romantic texts to his old cell phone number – without knowing that the number is currently being used by a different guy. Also starring Sam Heughan and Celine Dion, it opens May 10 exclusively in SM Cinemas.

“Priyanka has such a powerful presence,” says Jim Strouse, writer and director of the movie. “She’s the beating heart and soul of this film. You really feel what she feels.”

“Priyanka was one of the first people to read the script about two years ago,” says producer Esther Hornstein. “She’s such a strong person, and she made sure that her character wasn’t passive – that she’s in charge of her own life, figuring things out and doing it her own way. Priyanka also put such care to actually making sure that her character doesn’t feel like a stereotype, which is doubly important because I’m told that ‘Love Again’ is the first global feature with an Indian woman in the lead.”

Before meeting her magical match in Rob (played by Heughan), Mira Ray goes on a couple of dates that don’t pan out. And thanks to a fun casting choice, movie audiences get to see Chopra Jonas go on an epic fail movie date with her real-life husband, Nick Jonas who does a cameo. — (FREEMAN)