Any chat with Priyanka Chopra Jonas starts with us discussing our extremely common name. “Don’t tell that to people in America. They think it’s a very unique name!” laughs Priyanka, who stars as Sati, an exile that was created without a purpose by programs Rama-Kandra and Kamala in the world of the Matrix, in The Matrix Resurrections, now playing in movie theatres.

The film has Keanu Reeves reprising his role as Neo, 18 years after The Matrix Revolutions, with Carrie-Anne Moss, Lambert Wilson, and Jada Pinkett Smith also returning. The Telegraph connected with Priyanka over a cross-continental video call to know more about her new Hollywood biggie.

Have you been a fan of the Matrix franchise?

I think everyone is a fan of the Matrix franchise. I won’t say I know every detail of every film as well as some probably do. But I do remember that when the first Matrix film released, it shifted pop culture... movies were changed forever. I remember watching it... I remember wearing black and not smiling and trying to be very cool when it came out! (Laughs) I must have been 16 or 17.

So it’s great that so many years later, I get to play such a pivotal role and that Lana (Wachowski, the director of The Matrix Resurrections and the co-creator of the Matrix franchise) trusted me with this character that she had embedded in the last movie, with so much foreshadowing. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this film, especially with this reprised star cast.

What boxes did this film tick for you, besides the ones you just mentioned?

Oh, I would play a table in the Matrix if I was asked to! (Laughs) I am not someone who is very entitled... I have worked very hard to be where I am and I don’t have an ego. I was in Mumbai shooting for something and my agent called me saying, ‘Lana wants to meet you tomorrow in San Francisco!’ I went straight from the airport to meet her. I am someone who will always fight for something that I want, I always look out for an opportunity and I never carry my ego into a room.

Lana and I spent some time together, we spoke about the role and then she gave me the script hot off the presses and said, ‘Welcome to the Matrix’ (smiles).

Keanu Reeves

What went into playing Sati?

The biggest challenge was to live up to the expectations that fans had from the character. We were told that she is going to play a really special role in bridging peace between humans and machines, and that she’s going to play a role in Neo’s life... so that was the hardest part. But I really leaned on Lana... this is Lana’s universe, she has created it.... I worked under her tutelage to build the older Sati. The easier part was just going to work and standing in front of all these amazing actors and being like, ‘Wow! I am in the Matrix! That’s cool!’ (Laughs)

For many like you and me growing up in the ’90s, Keanu Reeves in Speed was the ultimate heartthrob. What was it like working with him?

He’s known to be the nicest guy in Hollywood, and he truly is. He’s amazing, really wonderful. Of course, I was terrified and in awe on set because I admire him, as well as Carrie-Ann (Moss) and Jada (Pinkett Smith), especially when they have all come from the original films. My first scene was with all of them and they were listening to what I was saying.... I was terrified, my hands were sweating and I didn’t want to embarrass myself as an actor. But I have always been an actor who believes in preparation and I really prepped hard for this part... and did it (smiles).