Actress Priyanka Chopra, who has made her mark globally, has once again proved how much she respects her roots and her elders. Priyanka, who recently attended the annual Harvard India Conference, spoke openly about her struggle and success in Hollywood and gave credit for it to the ‘pioneers’ of Indian cinema who opened doors for her. He described these personalities as trailblazers whose achievements made it possible for others to follow in their footsteps.
“I stand on their shoulders”
Reflecting on her place in the industry, Chopra told journalist Anjula Acharya, “I really believe that I stand on the shoulders of amazing artists and talents that came before me. Aishwarya Rai, she was an icon when she was working in Hollywood, Irrfan Khan, of course, Mindy Kaling. And I was able to open doors and stand up for what I believe in because she did what she did.” The actor credited his pioneering work for enabling him to make his mark in Hollywood.
Chopra became emotional
After the conference, Chopra posted an emotional note on Instagram. She wrote that she was happy to see so many “desi people” in traditional clothes at the event. She recalled that when she first came to the United States at the age of 12, she found very few people who looked like her in such places.
Aishwarya Rai and Irrfan Khan’s impact in the West
Aishwarya Rai is one of the first Indian actors to get big roles in western films. Her performances in projects like Bride and Prejudice, The Mistress of Spices and The Pink Panther 2 brought Indian representation to global audiences. Rai’s regular appearances at Cannes and involvement in international campaigns further increased his reach.
Irrfan Khan has given memorable performances in films like The Namesake, Life of Pi, Jurassic World and Slumdog Millionaire.
Mindy Kaling’s work
Chopra cited Mindy Kaling’s work as a creator and performer in the US entertainment industry as another source of inspiration. Kaling’s success in mainstream television and film has led to more opportunities for South Asian actors in North America.
What’s next for Priyanka Chopra
Meanwhile, Priyanka is currently gearing up for the release of her new film, The Bluff, directed by Frank E Flowers. The film, which stars Karl Urban and Ismael Cruz Cordova, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on February 25.
She will also be seen in SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, which also stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film is scheduled to release in 2027 and will mark his comeback to Indian cinema.