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Priyanka Chopra hopes her TV show Quantico will set precedent

Priyanka Chopra hopes her TV show Quantico will set precedent

Chopra is the first Indian lead in a US TV series, playing FBI agent turned terror suspect Alex in the ABC thriller
29 Oct, 2015

MUMBAI: Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra hopes her leading role in hit United States television show Quantico will help pave the way for other Indian actors to make it big in America.

The former Miss World is blazing a trail as the first Indian lead in a US TV series, playing FBI agent turned suspected terrorist Alex Parrish in the ABC thriller.

“I can only hope that it opens the right doors,” the 33-year-old told AFP in an email interview between filming in India for her Bollywood movies and in Canada for Quantico.

“I truly believe that we have a huge pool of talent in India, which spans actors, directors, technicians and the like, and there is a huge window of opportunity for them to explore outside India,” she added.

Chopra has received glowing reviews for her turn as Parrish, who is accused in the drama of masterminding the biggest terror attack on American soil since September 11, 2001.

The series jumps between present day, when she is on the run from the law and trying to prove her innocence, and her time as a trainee agent at the FBI’s academy at Quantico in Virginia.

The plot leaves viewers trying to guess who plotted the attack — Parrish or one of her former colleagues at Quantico.

While Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor (24), Rahul Khanna (The Americans) and Nimrat Kaur (Homeland) have all featured in American shows, Chopra is the first actor from India to headline an original series.

Her face is plastered across billboards in major US cities and Chopra, who was crowned Miss World in 2000, said she felt the pressure.

“I was nervous... period! Firstly I am trying something new, I was attempting it in a whole new geography, I was doing it in a different language from what the audience is used to for my on-screen persona,” she explained.

The star of Bollywood hits such as Dil Dhadakne Do and biopic Mary Kom added that she felt it was important that her Indian-American character was ethnically ambiguous.

“There is a lot of diversity in the characters on Quantico but it’s not a clichéd representation,” she said.

“It is, however, more a mirror to society in the USA — a multi-cultural mix of people from all over the world, connected to their ethnicity in some way but who primarily consider themselves citizens of the United States of America.”

*Published in Dawn October 29th, 2015

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Comments

Being Human Oct 29, 2015 12:08pm
she is a real talent who didn't set herself to India only.
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Satt Oct 29, 2015 12:19pm
Why these people speaks more than necessary.
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Ali Khan Oct 29, 2015 12:31pm
OMG, just saw the trailer, instead of adjusting to the reality of hollywood movies, she carried the bollywood pretentiousness to USA!!!! she looks so phoney
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Padmakar Oct 29, 2015 01:34pm
Its Just start. Arnold going to work with Rajnikant in next Movies.
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AIZ Oct 29, 2015 01:53pm
Good for you love.... !!
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TKhan Oct 29, 2015 02:15pm
I lost interest after couple of shows. Her delivery is like Hindi Movies, almost ready to jump out and start dancing on the Desi Girl Tune. The script is also weak and predictable.
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Confused Oct 29, 2015 02:30pm
Priyanks Chopra is definitely not the first Indian lead in an American TV programme. Ever seen or heard Kunnal Nayyer from the ever popular TV sitcom Big Bang theory ? For the films - ever seen Ïndiana Jones and the temple of doom"? She might be the first female Indian lead.
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PakPower Oct 29, 2015 02:37pm
She trying really hard with her Downtown Abbey accent to make a mark, but I think her performance deserves no accolades. Neither does the show. I admit, it started off well but it is getting blander by the episode.
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Razi Oct 29, 2015 03:00pm
She is indeed a very talented woman and I am sure she will create the impact. I wish her all the best.
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tawari Oct 29, 2015 03:12pm
Quite boring serial with substandard acting of P C
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sana-2 Oct 29, 2015 03:20pm
I watched a few episodes but it didnt keep my interest.
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Sudhakar USA Oct 29, 2015 04:08pm
Irrespective of whether the show is boring or not....full marks to PC for trying out something new in her career. Calling the show boring and her acting is like bollywoodish, are personal observations which are subjective.
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wit7 Oct 29, 2015 04:37pm
To me this low budget series is about a bunch of Paranoid Psychopaths. Apart from Chopra have you ever seen any of the other cast in any other popular movie or a TV series ??? It's just like the TV series Homeland
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shoro Oct 29, 2015 05:59pm
@wit7 Homeland is far superior show in terms of content and performances. This show is a bit of disappointment and Priyanka's performance is quite mediocre.
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abdulrasak Oct 29, 2015 05:59pm
i agree with this “I truly believe that we have a huge pool of talent in India, which spans actors, directors, technicians and the like, and there is a huge window of opportunity for them to explore outside India,
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Insanely Atheist Oct 29, 2015 06:26pm
@Confused Give the credit where its due.Kunal Nair is indeed very popular but he is NOT the first lead of the show.
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Biny Oct 29, 2015 06:52pm
I don't know why there is so much buzz about Priyanka Chopra playing a lead role in the American serial Quantico. Media has always been bias towards leading Bollywood stars. Before Priyanka Chopra, many actors have left their mark in Hollywood by playing the vital roles in their movies. Om puri, Amrish Puri, Gulshan Grover in the past or Irfan Khan at present featuring in pivotal roles in many Hollywood films like Jurassic park and spider man. Why we always keep on ignoring this...
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AD Oct 29, 2015 06:54pm
She gets full marks for her looks obviously and acting too. The script is a bit bland in some of the episodes which is not her fault.
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Santosh Alvin Oct 29, 2015 07:01pm
Guess she lives in her own bubble. Ever heard of Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford in Parks and Recreation. He also played in Bob's Burgers and many more acclaimed and famed tv series. And he plays non-typical Indian too. He created "Human Giant" for MTV which ran for two seasons. Then there is MIA the Sri Lankan rapper girl, who is making headlines. There a lot of us in almost every field. Sorry to say despite your talent, you are not a pioneer as some would like you to believe.
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Seadorff Oct 29, 2015 07:13pm
@wit7 You are wrong. Homeland is running in season 5. That shows the popularity. Homeland season 4 is a must watch !!!
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OmarFL Oct 30, 2015 01:22am
@wit7 I dont think you watch TV. How can you compare Homeland with Quantico? Its an insult to Homeland.
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WaheedNoor Oct 30, 2015 04:51am
@Confused Kunal Nayyar is not the lead in Big Bang Theory. It is Sheldon Cooper played by Jim Parsons.
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Faisal Oct 30, 2015 05:09am
I got bored too, useless series. very sub standard acting from PC in fact overacting.
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Farhan Oct 30, 2015 05:36am
Problem is she is not an actor at core. Most of the Bollywood stars who joined the industry in past 10-15 years are either models/Bollywood Family/Business Family connections. Hype and Media PR is what kick starts their career. Acting is lost somewhere in glitter. On the sidelines, The TV serial actors are far better in their acting talents. If someone is outside the regular bollywood circle then he/she receives step motherly treatment in bollywood. Anil Kappor/Nana Patekar/Alok Nath/Om Puri/Frida Pinto/Regional Movie stars are few examples. Regional cinema such as Tamil, Telagu, Marathi have superior talent than Bollywood. Excessive punjabization is also an issue why Bollywood these days do not present true Indian movie.
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Expat Oct 30, 2015 06:22am
Mediocre at best. Quantico is a big time flop Only 1 season show. She blew it horribly. Even in Indian movies, I never found her to be a good actress.
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Sid Oct 30, 2015 07:20am
@Ali Khan why did you watch???
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shokolokobangoshay Oct 30, 2015 07:37am
I have not seen this series yet but PC is quiet talented artist. To be on ABC is quiet an achievement.
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SQ Oct 30, 2015 08:02am
Boring, completely predictable show with one-dimensional, cliche characters and bad dialogues. Saw the first episode. Not watching anymore.
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Asif (Lahore) Oct 30, 2015 08:03am
Haters gonna hate through their computer screens and she will go places! She is pure beauty and talent!! Her Fan from Lahore, Asif
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Insanely Atheist Oct 31, 2015 06:52pm
just type Priyanka Chopra or Quantico in google and see from your own eyes how whole US media is swooning over her.Period.
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Ahsan Nov 01, 2015 06:28pm
Just loved her in Quantico. Only watchable show of this fall All the best Miss Chopra. But blindspot is also good
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