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I bagged Quantico based on merit, not ethnicity, says Priyanka Chopra

I bagged Quantico based on merit, not ethnicity, says Priyanka Chopra

The actress tells all, everything from guilty pleasures to girl crushes.
Updated 22 Mar, 2016

With the success of her show, Quantico on ABC, Priyanka Chopra is beginning to make her way toward being a household name around the globe as much as she is already in India.

"I'm proud of being Indian, but I don't think I need to be labeled based on where I am from. It's divisive in many ways, and we're already so divided. By saying 'Bollywood'—first of all, we're not an offshoot of Hollywood, we're the Indian film industry that produces a tremendous array of films every year—it's using a word that encapsulates a stereotype of what we are."

"And we don't really do that with any other countries. We don't say, 'Spanish celebrity Penelope Cruz' or 'Italian star Sophia Loren.' So why make it a defining point for me? I'm trying to be global and trying to push us, as a society, to becoming colorblind," shares the 33-year-old actress in an interview with Esquire.

"I got the role in Quantico based on my merit, not on my ethnicity. The part wasn't written for an Indian girl, it was just written for an ass-kicking mess of a girl, and I happen to portray her best."

Chopra poses at her Montreal home, where she is currently residing to shoot Quantico. Photos: Esquire.com
Chopra poses at her Montreal home, where she is currently residing to shoot Quantico. Photos: Esquire.com

One of the few movie actresses to transition to television, she states she feels the best content right now is on television: "When was the last time you saw a hijab-wearing, unapologetic, flirtatious female FBI agent in a film? Movies are now so much about the entertainment. They're all big blockbusters. And I love them, don't get me wrong, but the writing has all gone to television."

As a former Miss World, Priyanka is undeniably blessed with good looks; men love her and women want to be her. But if she had to pick a girl-crush, who would be choose?

"Irini Shayk, hands down," she says.

However, it hasn't been all smooth sailing for her. In 2013, Priyanka lost her father to a long battle with cancer.

"When I was little, my dad used to call me 'Bandarella', because I was a mess—a Bandar is a monkey in Hindi. I was not a girly-girl and would always break something and would be running around and didn't really fit in. And he would tell me, 'Don't worry about fitting into a glass slipper; shatter the glass ceiling.'

Priyanka's tattoo, which is a tribute to her late father. Photo: Esquire.com
Priyanka's tattoo, which is a tribute to her late father. Photo: Esquire.com

Before he died, I asked him to write 'Daddy's Little Girl' on a piece of paper for me. I told him it was for an album. He practiced and practiced and then sent it to me and I had it tattooed onto my wrist and surprised him with it. He cried when he saw it, happy tears. This way, I always carry him with me."

Comments

Muhammad Majid Mar 22, 2016 01:25pm
lovely priyanka.
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Random Indian Mar 22, 2016 01:28pm
Nice story and all that, but someone in a swimming pool with dry hair looks totally fake.
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SK Mar 22, 2016 01:54pm
She is making all of South Asia proud of her!
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rahul1 Mar 22, 2016 02:25pm
Beauty with brains !
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shubs Mar 22, 2016 02:37pm
@Random Indian Is this the first time in your life that you've seen a glamour photo shoot? If not please enlighten us abut the stark reality portrayed in these other pictures that I'm sure you know so well.
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israr Mar 22, 2016 02:56pm
Ms Chopra seems prepared to shatter the glass ceiling no matter what she has to give in return. Unlike an Indian female she has no inhibitions of any kind ...but then she does not want to be associated with word "India" it seems!
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rainman Mar 22, 2016 02:59pm
This is the one beauty with brains a rare specie
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prasant Mar 22, 2016 04:35pm
Why not a single actor in pakistan is known to Hollywood or european or all weather friend china public
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Omar Mar 22, 2016 05:48pm
Strongly disagree. Your acting is pitiful and the only reason you hit the job is to fulfill an ethnic quota for something 'different' . Let's not be delusional now...
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Aamer Mar 22, 2016 06:36pm
Quantico is not a hit. Most of the Americans never heard about it. Recently it started on Alabi channel in UK still none of the Brits know about it.
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Simi Mar 22, 2016 06:37pm
@prasant is it necessary that you spoil it by comparing everything with Pakistan..? Priyanka is an Indian and she's watched in Pakistan, and many Pakistanis love her work too.... Likewise, Indians love Pakistani dramas and actors too.... And btw, I am an Indian and I have utmost respect and love for my neighbours...
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Simi Mar 22, 2016 06:40pm
@israr That's not what she meant...please read the article properly...you'll understand :) simply means as an actor she doesn't want to be labelled as an Asian or Indian or American...she simply wants to be known as an 'actor' just like other actors in Hollywood!
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solani Mar 22, 2016 09:34pm
Come to Pak and make some movies with us.
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Sneha Mar 22, 2016 11:50pm
@simi U might be watching the dramas and actors . We don't, . It's a paid channel one has to pay extra to view it, is not included in usual tv plan list for all. The channel showcasing these dramas are not even in top 20 trp channels in rating in india. So you know the reality and truth about viewership.
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a Mar 23, 2016 12:21am
What is this thing with dads and daughters ? Aren't boys children too ?
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Rabia Mar 23, 2016 12:24am
As much as I like watching Quantico, priyanka's acting is sadly not upto the mark. She fails badly at emotional scenes. She sounds weird! Which is kind of a bummer!
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Allan (Canada) Mar 23, 2016 12:31am
@Aamer It is quite hit in America and Canada. Maybe not England. The brits have their own shows that they love. We all love PC and wish her the best.
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brr Mar 23, 2016 01:17am
Crappy Show, who cares. Not the best acting or story telling.
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Shaukat Mar 23, 2016 04:17am
@prasant ,you are wrong,we have about half a dozen of Pakistani actors working in Hollywood as well as in English film industry,Murad Hashmi, Inayayat Reza and Irfan Butt to name a few,(of course most of them are male instead of female,a cultural difference between you and us you, know.
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probono publico Mar 23, 2016 04:26am
She's really her daddy's lil girl, . . . .
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Akil Akhtar Mar 23, 2016 07:51am
The show highlights the difference between American standard and Indian ...where they look realistic and you can tell Priyanka is acting....
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komberi Mar 23, 2016 08:24am
...and what is her merit?
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Good taste Mar 23, 2016 08:44am
One thing for sure, she has good taste. She likes Irini Shayk. She ain't too bad herself.
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Farhan Mar 23, 2016 08:47am
She have so much merit.
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Aamer Mar 23, 2016 11:45am
@Allan (Canada) FYA I am based in New York, and this show Quantico is not popular at all. Its the Asian community which is making a big deal out of it because of the Bollywood actress.
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Awadh Mar 23, 2016 02:17pm
@Random Indian You are right bro.
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silajit Mar 23, 2016 08:25pm
Irini Shayk looks just like Priyanka Chopra - just better. I guess that's why she likes her.
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