It’s None of My Business: PC on Zaira’s Decision to Quit Bollywood

Zaira plays motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary in the film.

Priyanka Chopra plays mom to Rohit Saraf and Zaira Wasim in Shonali Bose’s The Sky Is Pink.

(Photo: Yogen Shah)

Priyanka Chopra says her The Sky Is Pink co-star Zaira Wasim’s decision to quit Bollywood is no one’s business but her own. The Dangal actor plays motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary who was born with an immune deficiency disorder and later diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, in the film, with Priyanka and Farhan Akhtar as her parents.

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Priyanka said,

“It’s a personal choice. Who are we to dictate what someone should and shouldn’t do? She is an amazing actor who has done incredible work. We will always wish her the best.”

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

“I’ve spoken to her many times, but not about her decision to quit films. That’s none of my business. She’s an amazing artist but maybe it was time for her,” she added.

Zaira Wasim sparked controversy after she posted a detailed note on Instagram, on 30 June, saying that she had chosen to quit Bollywood because she was not happy with her line of work as it interfered with her faith and religion. “As I complete 5 years [in Bollywood] today, I want to confess that I am not truly happy with this identity i.e. my line of work. For a very long time now it has felt like I have struggled to become someone else. As I had just started to explore and make sense of the things to which I dedicate my time, efforts and emotions and tried to grab hold of a new lifestyle, it was only for me to realise that though I may fit here perfectly, I do not belong here,” she wrote.

While some deemed this a publicity stunt, Zaira found supporters in Dangal director Nitesh Tiwari, former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah and writer Taslima Nasrin, among others.

The Sky Is Pink will be Zaira’s last appearance on the big screen. Soon after her announcement, the makers of the film released a statement that read, “Zaira is an exceptional actor and we are very lucky to have had her play Aisha Chaudhury in our film. She has been a complete professional all through the shoot. This is a personal decision, and we will support her in every way, now and always.” The Shonali Bose directorial premiered at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival on 13 September and releases in theatres on 11 October.