In her early days, Priyanka was the girl next door. Mujhse Dosti Karoge solidified her as a romantic lead opposite Hrithik Roshan, playing the unrequited lover. But it was Hum Tum opposite Saif Ali Khan that showed her range. The "Pyaar Hua" chemistry was playful, modern, and messy. She wasn't just a prop; she was a woman who walked away, only to come back. This storyline—enemies to friends to lovers—set the template for modern Bollywood rom-coms.

– In this lighthearted rom-com, she played Rani, the love interest caught between Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. The film’s comic tension and her character’s confusion made it a box-office hit.

– A rare misstep, her love triangle with Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor felt forced. Yet, her item song “Jiya Ho Bihar Ke Lala” became a sensation.