7 Quotes of the Fiery Go-Getter, Priyanka Chopra

There’s no stopping PeeCee.

Priyanka Chopra is clear about making a mark with the career choices she’s been making. In an interview with HT Brunch, the actress talks about her global success, and being an Indian actor, first. Read on.

Luck or Ambition?

I like to win, so I don’t know what luck means. I don’t like losing in anything. I don’t know if that means I’m ambitious. I’m very driven. Having ambition is great, but I won’t kill anyone to get something. I’m someone who believes that the best person for the job should get the job. I believe a lot in merit, in talent, in getting a job because of merit, I work very hard at that and towards that. I don’t know any other way of getting a job than that.

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

Diwali Versus Christmas

When she was asked what she gifted her colleagues on Christmas, here’s what she said.

I didn’t call anybody for Christmas, except my assistant who had the day off. I’m not good at that. And I’ve been busy. But I did so for Diwali. I sent gifts and flowers to all my friends there. Most of my colleagues know what Diwali is now. I made a deal. I send for Diwali and I get for Christmas.

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

Being American Desi

I don’t use cabs. I don’t speak Punjabi. My mom is from Bihar; she’s half Kashmiri and half Malayalee. My dad was from Punjab. But he didn’t speak to mom in Punjabi because she doesn’t understand it. She speaks seven languages, but not Punjabi. Our house was two states. There was no language medium. We spoke English and Hindi. I was raised in the US and Bareilly. But my cousins Parineeti and Mannara speak Punjabi because they were raised in Ambala and Delhi. In LA, when I shoot on location, there are always 400 people standing around. Many Indians among them. At the most, they call out, ‘Sat Sri Akaal, Priyanka.’ They know I don’t speak Punjabi.

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

The success of Quantico is sweet!

I didn’t see that coming. The show is just one season old and it’s already gone to 56 countries. It’s awesome to see the reception I got. I go to obscure countries, well – not obscure, but countries where I don’t expect anyone to know about me or my show, and find people of different races and nationalities familiar with the work I’ve done in Quantico, countries like Japan, France, where it’s the No. 1 show, Germany, China, where they have my face on buses, it’s so cool to see that kind of reception.

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

She adds,

There’s so much to do. Just one show is not going to make my claim to fame. Look at it this way, we are one-fifth of the world’s population, correct? I mean Indians or people of South Asian descent. But when you see global entertainment, do you see representation of that? Hardly! As many people as we are, as much as we watch TV, we don’t have representation in the globe and that’s where the world needs to go. Hopefully, with what I’ve been able to achieve, I’ve made a dent in that department where other people of Indian or South Asian descent get opportunities as main parts because of our sheer potential. It’s my mission. Bollywood’s the biggest film industry in the world. We make 900 films a year despite the fact that we speak only Hindi. Our reach is incredible. Why should we not have that global representation? 

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

Desh Ki Parampara and All That

Have you seen the ‘U/A’ films, I’m not even talking ‘A’ films. I’m not assessing them, but what have you seen? Quantico is an ABC-Disney series. They have mandates about what they can’t show. All you see is shoulders up and knees down. Why is it such a big deal if I do a make out scene? I did it in India also. Not more nor less. Is it because I’m doing it in America now? Why these double standards? 

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

Indian Actor, First

I didn’t ‘chuck’ anything to achieve a global career and that includes my home country, India. I don’t need to make a choice because I can do both. If you work hard and smart, there’s a lot you can do. I successfully managed to do Bajirao Mastani, Quantico and Baywatch and I will continue to do similar things. I’m a Hindi film actor first, don’t forget.

Priyanka Chopra, Actor

(Source: HT Brunch)