Chopra ventured into music by releasing three singles and into writing with her memoirUnfinished (2021), which reachedThe New York Times Best Seller list. Her other ventures include tech investments, a haircare brand, a restaurant, and a homeware line. She promotes social causes such as environment and women's rights and is vocal about gender equality, the gender pay gap, and feminism. She has worked withUNICEF since 2006 and was appointed as the national and globalUNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for child rights in 2010 and 2016, respectively. Her namesake foundation for health and education works towards providing support to underprivileged Indian children. Chopra has walked theMet Gala red carpet inManhattan five times as of 2025. Despite maintaining privacy, Chopra's off-screen life, including her marriage to American singer and actorNick Jonas, is the subject of substantial media coverage.
Owing to Chopra's parents' professions as military physicians, the family was posted in a number of places in India, including Delhi,Chandigarh,Ambala,Ladakh,Lucknow,Bareilly, andPune.[12] Among the schools she attended wereLa Martiniere Girls' School in Lucknow and St. Maria Goretti College in Bareilly.[13][14][15] In an interview published inDaily News and Analysis, Chopra said that she did not mind travelling regularly and changing schools; she welcomed it as a new experience and a way to discover India's multicultural society.[16] Among the many places that she lived, Chopra has fond memories as a child of playing in the valleys ofLeh, in the cold northwestern Indian desert region ofLadakh. She had said: "I think I was in Class 4 when I was in Leh. My brother was just born. My dad was in the army and was posted there. I stayed in Leh for a year, and my memories of that place are tremendous. We were all army kids there. We weren't living in houses, we were in bunkers in the valley and there was astupa right on top of a hill which used to overlook our valley. We used to race up to the top of the stupa".[17] She now considersBareilly her home town, and maintains strong connections there.[18]
At 13, Chopra moved to the United States to study, living with her aunt, and attending schools inNewton, Massachusetts, andCedar Rapids, Iowa, after a stop inQueens, New York, as her aunt's family also moved frequently.[19][20] While in Massachusetts, she participated in several theatre productions, and studied Western classical music, and choral singing.[21] During her teenage years in the United States, Chopra sometimes faced racial issues and was bullied for being Indian by an African-American classmate.[22] She has said: "I was a gawky kid, had low self-esteem, came from a modest middle-class background, had white marks on my legs. But I was damn hard working. Today, my legs sell 12 brands."[23] After three years, Chopra returned to India, finishing the senior year of her high-school education at theArmy Public School in Bareilly.[19][20][24][25]
During this period, Chopra won the local May Queen beauty pageant,[26] after which she was pursued by admirers; her family equipped their home with bars for her protection.[20] Her mother entered her in theFemina Miss India contest of 2000;[27] she finished second,[a] winning the FeminaMiss India World title.[30] Chopra next won theMiss World pageant, where she was crownedMiss World 2000 andMiss World Continental Queen of Beauty—Asia & Oceania at theMillennium Dome in London on 30 November 2000.[28][31][32] Chopra was the fifth Indian contestant to win Miss World, and the fourth to do so within seven years.[28][33] She had enrolled in college, but left after winning the Miss World pageant.[15][26] Chopra said that the Miss India and Miss World titles brought her recognition, and she began receiving offers for film roles.[21][34] In 2001, the bridge of Chopra's nose collapsed duringnasal surgery to remove apolyp. She fell into depression over her "completely different" appearance, but was satisfied with the results of corrective surgeries.[35]
After winning Miss India World, Chopra was cast as the female lead inAbbas–Mustan's romantic thrillerHumraaz (2002), in which she was to make her film debut.[34] However, this fell through for various reasons: she stated the production conflicted with her schedule, while the producers said they recast because Chopra took on various other commitments.[36][37] Her screen debut occurred in the 2002 Tamil filmThamizhan as the love interest of the protagonist, played byVijay. A review published inThe Hindu was appreciative of the film for its wit and dialogue; however it felt that Chopra's role was limited from an acting viewpoint.[38]
In 2003, Chopra made herBollywood film debut as the second female lead oppositeSunny Deol andPreity Zinta inAnil Sharma'sThe Hero: Love Story of a Spy.[2] Set against the backdrop of the Indian Army in Kashmir, the film tells the story of anRAW agent's fight against terrorism. She later recounted her experience, admitting she was very nervous and "shaking" when she first met Deol.[39] Despite rumors that she was not a good actress and discussions about possibly removing her from the film, Deol recognized her potential and insisted on giving her a chance to prove herself.[40]The Hero emerged as one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films that year, but received mixed reviews from critics.[41][42]Derek Elley fromVariety said that "mega-looker Chopra makes a solid screen debut."[43] Later that year, she appeared inRaj Kanwar's box-office successAndaaz withAkshay Kumar, sharing the female lead with debutanteLara Dutta.[41] Chopra played a vivacious young woman who falls in love with Kumar's character. TheHindustan Times noted the glamour that she brought to the role;[2] Kunal Shah ofSify praised her performance and stated she had "all the qualities to be a star."[44] Her performance earned her theFilmfare Award for Best Female Debut (along with Dutta) and aBest Supporting Actress nomination.[45]
Chopra's first three releases in 2004—Plan,Kismat, andAsambhav—performed poorly at the box office.[46] Chopra was typically cast during this earlier period as a "glamour quotient", in roles that were considered forgettable by film critic Joginder Tuteja.[46][47] Later that year, she starred withSalman Khan and Akshay Kumar inDavid Dhawan's romantic comedyMujhse Shaadi Karogi, which opened to commercial success and emerged the third-highest-grossing film of the year in India.[48]
In late 2004, she starred opposite Kumar andKareena Kapoor in Abbas–Mustan's romantic thrillerAitraaz.[49] Chopra considers her first role as an antagonist, portraying Soniya Roy, an ambitious woman who accuses her employee of sexual harassment, as the "biggest learning experience of her career".[25] The film was a critical and commercial success, and Chopra's performance received critical acclaim.[47][50][51] TheHindustan Times cited it as the film that changed her career significantly.[2] A reviewer writing for theBBC said: "Aitraaz is Chopra's film. As the deliciously wicked, gold digging, scheming seductress, she chews up every scene she is in with her magnetic screen presence."[52] She won aFilmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role, becoming the second and final actress to win the award afterKajol (the category was discontinued in 2008).[2] Chopra also received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress, and theProducers Guild Film Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.[45]
Rise to prominence (2005–2006)
In 2005, Chopra appeared in 6 films. Her first two releases, the action thrillersBlackmail andKaram, were critically and commercially unsuccessful.[53] Shilpa Bharatan-Iyer ofRediff.com consideredBlackmail to be a very predictable film and believed that her role as a police commissioner's wife was very limited from an acting point of view.[54] Her performance inKaram was better received, Subhash K. Jha wrote that Chopra "with her poised interpretation of high drama, flies high creating a character whose vulnerability and beauty are endorsed by both the inner and outer worlds created for her character."[55] Later that year, Chopra played the wife of Akshay Kumar inVipul Amrutlal Shah's family dramaWaqt: The Race Against Time, the story of a small businessman (played byAmitabh Bachchan) who, hiding his illness, wants to teach his irresponsible son some lessons before he dies. During production, Chopra revisited Leh, a favourite childhood haunt, for the shooting of the song "Subah Hogi".[17] She suffered an accident during the filming for the song "Do Me A Favour Let's Play Holi" when she electrocuted herself, spending a day recovering in hospital.[56] The film was well received by critics, and was a commercial success.[53][57]
She next starred oppositeArjun Rampal in the romantic mystery thrillerYakeen, portraying the role of a possessive lover. Critical reaction towards the film was mixed, but her performance received praise.Taran Adarsh wrote that Chopra "is bound to win laurels yet again [...] the actor is emerging as one of the finest talents in these fast-changing times".[58] Her next release wasSuneel Darshan's romanceBarsaat, co-starringBobby Deol andBipasha Basu. The film was a critical and commercial failure in India, but fared better in the overseas market.[53][59] Chopra's performance received mixed reviews, withBollywood Hungama describing it as "mechanical".[60] However, Rediff.com considered Chopra to be an "epitome of calm intelligence, who underplayed her role to perfection".[61] Later that year,Rohan Sippy cast her alongsideAbhishek Bachchan,Ritesh Deshmukh andNana Patekar in the comedyBluffmaster!. Chopra played independent working woman Simran Saxena, Bachchan's love interest. The film proved to be a box-office success.[53]
After starting 2006 with special appearances in three films, Chopra starred inRakesh Roshan's superhero filmKrrish (a sequel to the 2003 science-fiction filmKoi... Mil Gaya). Co-starring withHrithik Roshan,Rekha andNaseeruddin Shah, Chopra played a young television journalist who schemes to take advantage of an innocent young man with remarkable physical abilities, but eventually falls in love with him. The film was the second-highest-grossing film of the year in India and grossed over₹1.17 billion (US$14 million) worldwide attaining ablockbuster status.[62] Her next film wasDharmesh Darshan's romantic comedyAap Ki Khatir, co-starringAkshaye Khanna,Ameesha Patel andDino Morea. Neither the film nor Chopra's performance were well received.[63] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com stated that Chopra's portrayal of Anu was "erratically sketched" and that her character was never consistent: "first flaky, then cool, and later, sensitive".[64]
Chopra's final release of 2006 wasFarhan Akhtar's action-thrillerDon (a remake of the1978 film of the same name), withShah Rukh Khan. Chopra portrayedRoma (played byZeenat Aman in the original film), who joins the underworld to avenge Don for killing her brother. Chopra received martial-arts training for her role in the movie, and performed her own stunts.[65] The film was declared a box-office success in India and overseas, with revenues of₹1.05 billion (US$12 million).[48] Raja Sen of Rediff.com found Chopra to be film's "big surprise"; he believed that Chopra convincingly portrayed Roma, "looking every bit the competent woman of action" and wrote "This is an actress willing to push herself, and has definite potential for screen magic. Not to mention a great smile."[66]
Setbacks and resurgence (2007–2008)
In 2007, Chopra had two leading roles. Her first film wasNikhil Advani'sSalaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love, a romantic comedy-drama in six chapters with anensemble cast. She was featured opposite Salman Khan in the first chapter as Kamini, anitem girl and aspiring actress who tries to land the lead role in aKaran Johar film with a publicity gimmick.[67] Film critic Sukanya Verma praised her flair for comedy, especially her impressions ofMeena Kumari,Nargis andMadhubala.[68] BothSalaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love and her next film,Big Brother, proved unsuccessful at the domestic box office.[63]
Chopra at an event
In 2008, Chopra starred oppositeHarman Baweja inhis father'sLove Story 2050. Chopra played a double role, so she colored her hair twice; once red to portray the girl from the future and then black for the girl of the past.[69] Her performance was poorly received;Rajeev Masand was unimpressed with Chopra's chemistry with her co-star, remarking that her character "fails to inspire either affection or sympathy".[70] She next appeared in the comedyGod Tussi Great Ho, portraying a TV anchor opposite Salman Khan,Sohail Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.[71][72] Chopra next starred as a kindergarten teacher inChamku oppositeBobby Deol andIrrfan Khan, and played the role of Sonia inGoldie Behl's fantasy superhero filmDrona opposite Abhishek Bachchan andJaya Bachchan.Drona, widely criticized for its extensive use of special effects, marked Chopra's sixth film in succession which had failed at both the box-office and critically, although Sukanya Verma ofRediff.com stated that Chopra displayed convincing action heroine skills.[63][73] Critics generally perceived at this time that her career was over.[63]
The string of poorly received films ended when Chopra starred inMadhur Bhandarkar'sFashion, a drama about the Indian fashion industry which followed the lives and careers of several fashion models. She portrayed the ambitious supermodel Meghna Mathur, a role which she initially thought was out of her depth, but after six months' consideration she accepted the role, inspired by Bhandarkar's confidence in her.[74] For the role, Chopra had to gain 6 kilograms (13 lb) and steadily shed the weight during the production as the character progressed in the film. Both the film and her performance received critical acclaim, proving to be a major turning point in her career.[47] Rajeev Masand felt that she "turns in a respectable performance, one that will inevitably go down as her best."[75] For her performance, she won several awards, including theNational Film Award for Best Actress, theFilmfare Award for Best Actress, theIIFA Award for Best Actress, theScreen Award for Best Actress, and theProducers Guild Film Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.[45][76][77] With a worldwide revenue of₹600 million (US$7 million),Fashion emerged as a commercial success, and was listed by Subhash K. Jha as one of the best films of the decade with women protagonists.[78][79] It was noted for being commercially successful despite being awomen-centric film with no male lead.[80] Chopra said in 2012: "I think actuallyFashion kick started ... the process of female dominated films. Today you have so many other films which have done well with female leads."[25]
Chopra's final film of the year wasTarun Mansukhani's romantic comedyDostana, with Abhishek Bachchan andJohn Abraham. Set in Miami, the film tells the story of a friendship between her character and two men who pretend to be gay to share an apartment with her. Chopra played a stylish young fashion-magazine editor Neha Melwani, who is trying to deal with professional pressures in her life. Produced byDharma Productions, the film was a financial success with worldwide revenues of over₹860 million (US$10 million).[48] Chopra's performance and look in the film were praised.[81][82] For her performances in bothFashion andDostana, she jointly won theStardust Award for Actor of the Year – Female.[45]
Experiment with unconventional roles (2009–2011)
In 2009, Chopra played a feistyMarathi woman named Sweety inVishal Bhardwaj'scaper thrillerKaminey (co-starringShahid Kapoor), about twin brothers and the journey in their life linked with the underworld. The film received critical acclaim and became successful at the box-office with the worldwide gross earnings of₹710 million (US$8 million).[48][81]Nikhat Kazmi ofThe Times of India thought that Chopra's role completely reinvented her, and Rajeev Masand wrote: "Springing a delightful surprise in a smaller part is [Chopra], who sprinkles her lines with a smattering of fluent Marathi and emerges one of the film's most lovable characters."[83][84] Raja Sen ofRediff.com named Chopra's performance as the best by an actress that year.[85] Her role earned her several awards and nominations, including a second consecutive Producers Guild Film Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role afterFashion and Best Actress nominations at theFilmfare,Screen andIIFA awards.[86][87]
Chopra subsequently appeared inAshutosh Gowariker's romantic comedyWhat's Your Raashee?, based on the novelKimball Ravenswood byMadhu Rye. The film depicts the story of a US-based GujratiNRI in search of his soulmate among 12 girls (all played by Chopra) associated with the 12zodiac signs. She received a nomination for theScreen Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film.[88] She was considered for inclusion in theGuinness World Records book for being the first film actress to portray 12 distinct characters in one film.[89] Chopra's heavy workload—filming for several productions, travelling for endorsements and performing at live shows (including the Miss India pageant)—took its toll; she fainted during filming, and was admitted to hospital.[90] In 2010, Chopra starred withUday Chopra inJugal Hansraj's romantic comedyPyaar Impossible! as Alisha, a popular college girl (and later a working mother) who falls in love with a socially inept man. Later that year, she starred withRanbir Kapoor inSiddharth Anand's romantic comedy-dramaAnjaana Anjaani. Set in New York and Las Vegas, the film follows the story of two suicidal strangers who fall in love with each other. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success at the box office.[91][92][93]
She starred as afemme fatale in her first film of 2011, Vishal Bhardwaj's black comedy7 Khoon Maaf. Based on the short storySusanna's Seven Husbands byRuskin Bond,7 Khoon Maaf centers on Chopra's Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes, anAnglo-Indian woman who murders her husbands in an unending quest for love. The film and her performance received acclaim from critics. Nikhat Kazmi labelled the film "a milestone in Chopra's career graph", complimenting her "exquisite command over a complex character that is definitely a first in Indian cinema".[94] Rachel Saltz ofNew York Times felt that Susanna was more conceit than a character and that Chopra "though charming as always, can't make her cohere".[95] Chopra's performance earned her theFilmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics) and a nomination for the Filmfare Award, IIFA Award, Producers Guild Film Award, and Screen Award for Best Actress.[96]
Chopra's final release of the year saw her reprising her role as Roma in the second installment of theDon franchise,Don 2. Although the film received mixed reviews,[97] Chopra's performance earned positive feedback from critics. According toThe Express Tribune, "Chopra ... seems to be the perfect choice for an action heroine. As you watch her effortlessly beat up some thugs in the movie, you come to the realization that she may be the first proper female action hero in Bollywood."[98]Don 2 was a major success in India and overseas, earning over₹2.06 billion (US$24 million) worldwide.[99][100]
Further success (2012–2014)
Chopra's first film of 2012 wasKaran Malhotra's action dramaAgneepath, in which she starred with Hrithik Roshan,Sanjay Dutt andRishi Kapoor. Produced by Karan Johar, the film is a remake of his father's 1990 production of thesame name. In one of several accidents to happen during production, Chopra'slehenga (a traditional skirt) caught fire while filming a sequence for an elaborateGanpati festival song.[101] She featured as Kaali Gawde, Roshan's loquacious love interest in the film.Mayank Shekhar noted how much Chopra stood out in the male-dominated film.[102]Agneepath broke Bollywood's highestopening-day earnings record, and had a worldwide gross of₹1.93 billion (US$23 million).[99][103] Chopra next co-starred with Shahid Kapoor inKunal Kohli's romance,Teri Meri Kahaani. The film relates the stories of three unconnected couples (each played by Kapoor and Chopra), born in different eras.[104]
Chopra at an event in 2012
Anurag Basu'sBarfi!, with Ranbir Kapoor andIleana D'Cruz, was her final appearance of 2012. Set in the 1970s, the film tells the story of three people, two of whom are physically disabled. Chopra played Jhilmil Chatterjee, an autistic woman who falls in love with a deaf, mute man (Kapoor). DirectorRituparno Ghosh considered it a "very, very brave" role to accept given how demanding it is for an actor to convincingly portray a woman with autism.[105] To prepare for the role, Chopra visited several mental institutions and spent time with autistic people.[106] The film received critical acclaim[105][107] and was a major commercial success, earning₹1.75 billion (US$21 million) worldwide.[108] Rachit Gupta ofFilmfare found Chopra to be the film's "surprise package" and found her performance to be "the best representation of [autism] on Indian celluloid".[109]Pratim D. Gupta ofThe Telegraph highly praised Kapoor and Chopra, although he found her to be a "tad showy" in her part.[110] Chopra received Best Actress nominations at the Filmfare, Screen, IIFA and Producers Guild Film Awards.[96] The film was chosen asIndia's entry for the85th Academy Awards.[111]Agneepath andBarfi! ranked amongthe highest grossing Bollywood films to that point.[99]
In 2013, she lent her voice to the character of Ishaani, the reigning Pan-Asian champion from India and the love interest of the main protagonist in theDisneytoon Studios filmPlanes, a spinoff ofPixar'sCars franchise. Chopra, a fan ofDisney films, had fun voicing the character saying "The closest I could come to being aDisney princess, I think, was Ishaani".[112] The film was a commercial success, grossing approximately US$240 million worldwide.[113] She played an NRI girl in theApoorva Lakhia's bilingual action dramaZanjeer (Thoofan in Telugu), a remake of the 1973 Hindifilm of the same name, which met with poor reactions from critics and was unsuccessful at the box office.[114] Chopra next reprised her role of Priya in Rakesh Roshan'sKrrish 3—a sequel to the 2006 superhero filmKrrish—with Hrithik Roshan,Vivek Oberoi andKangana Ranaut. Critics felt that Chopra had very little to do in the film.[115] Saibal Chatterjee ofNDTV writing that she "is saddled with a sketchily written role and is reduced to the status of a hanger-on waiting for things to unfold".[116] The feature became a box-office success, earning over₹3 billion (US$35 million) worldwide, to become Chopra's biggest commercial success to that point and her fourth major hit in two years.[117][118] She danced a contemporarymujra in the song "Ram Chahe Leela" forSanjay Leela Bhansali'sGoliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela.[119]
In 2014, Chopra played the lead female role inYash Raj Films's romantic action dramaGunday directed byAli Abbas Zafar, alongsideRanveer Singh,Arjun Kapoor andIrrfan Khan. She portrayed Nandita, acabaret dancer in Calcutta. Set in the 1970s, the film tells the story of two best friends who fall in love with Nandita. Chopra next starred as the title character inMary Kom, a biographical film of the five timeworld boxing champion and Olympic bronze medalistMary Kom.[120] To prepare for the role, she spent time with Kom and received four months of boxing training.[121] The film premiered at the2014 Toronto International Film Festival, received positive reviews from critics, and her performance received critical acclaim.[122][123]Sudhish Kamath fromThe Hindu criticized the film's screenplay but praised Chopra's "knockout" performance, writing "The spirited actress rises above the material and makes us invest in her and does full justice to the spirit" of the boxer.[124] TheIndo-Asian News Service review noted the actress for expressing every shade of the character with "a pitch-perfect bravado".[125]Mary Kom emerged as a commercial success, with revenues of₹1.04 billion (US$12 million) at the box office.[126] She won theScreen Award for Best Actress, the Producers Guild Film Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and received another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[127][128]
Expansion into American film and television (2015–2019)
In 2015, Chopra starred inZoya Akhtar'sDil Dhadakne Do, an ensemble comedy-drama, featuringAnil Kapoor,Shefali Shah, Ranveer Singh andAnushka Sharma. The film tells the story of a dysfunctional Punjabi family (the Mehras), who invite their family and friends on a cruise trip to celebrate the parents' 30th wedding anniversary. She portrayed the role of Ayesha Mehra, a successful entrepreneur and the eldest child. Pratim D. Gupta fromThe Telegraph wrote of Chopra, "From the propah body language to the measured speech [...] shows the kind of depth she is able to bring to her lines and characters these days.[129] Conversely, Shubhra Gupta ofThe Indian Express commented that it was time for her "to being a little messy: all these not-a-hair-out-place roles are making her constrained."[130] The cast ofDil Dhadakne Do won theScreen Award for Best Ensemble Cast, and Chopra was nominated for a Screen Award, IIFA Award, andProducers Guild Film Award for Best Actress.[131][132] In 2016, she dubbed for Kaa, a female python, in the Hindi version of the filmThe Jungle Book.[133]
Chopra signed a talent holding deal withABC Studios and was later cast in the American thriller seriesQuantico as the characterAlex Parrish.[134][135][136] The series premiered in 2015 onABC, making Chopra the first South Asian to headline an American network drama series.[137] The series received positive reviews from television critics and Chopra was praised for her performance.[138][139] Rob Lowman of theLos Angeles Daily News applauded her "dynamic screen presence" andJames Poniewozik ofThe New York Times named Chopra as the "strongest human asset" of the show, and added that "she is immediately charismatic and commanding."[140][141] She received thePeople's Choice Award for Favourite Actress In A New TV Series for her role inQuantico, becoming the first South Asian actress to win a People's Choice Award.[142] The following year, Chopra won a second People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic TV Actress.[143]Quantico was cancelled after three seasons in 2018.[144] Chopra later said that her move to America was prompted by disagreements with people in Bollywood: "I had people not casting me, I had beef with people, I am not good at playing that game so I kind of was tired of the politics and I said I needed a break.”[145]
Chopra next portrayedKashibai, the first wife of theMaratha generalPeshwaBajirao I, in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic historical romantic dramaBajirao Mastani, alongside Ranveer Singh andDeepika Padukone. The feature opened to highly positive reviews, and Chopra received widespread praise for her portrayal which several reviewers regarded as her best performance to date.[146] Rajeev Masand wrote "the film benefits from a nice touch of playfulness and humor in Priyanka Chopra's Kashibai. Chopra brings grace to the character, and practically steals the film."[147] Film critic Raja Sen thought that Chopra, despite not being in the title role, owned the film, and wrote "Chopra's terrific in the part, her intelligently expressive eyes speaking volumes and her no-nonsense Marathi rhythm bang-on."[148] A major commercial success,Bajirao Mastani grossed₹3.5 billion (US$41 million) at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.[149] For her performance, she won theFilmfare Award,IIFA Award, andScreen Award for Best Supporting Actress, and received a nomination for the Producers Guild Film Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.[131][150][132]
In 2016, Chopra starred as a police officer inPrakash Jha's social dramaJai Gangaajal. Writing forThe Hindu, Namrata Joshi thought that she "looks off-colour, disinterested and uninvolved with the goings on through most of the film".[151] It did not perform well commercially.[152] The following year, Chopra made her Hollywood live-action film debut by playing the antagonist Victoria Leeds inSeth Gordon's action comedyBaywatch oppositeDwayne Johnson andZac Efron. The feature received unfavorable reviews.[153]IGN declared Chopra as the highlight of the film, noting she "outshines pretty much anyone she's in a scene with" and wrote "Chopra's engaging and interesting and is the only character that speaks with any kind of distinctive cadence."[154] Scott Mendelson ofForbes wrote "Chopra has fun as the baddie, but she stays in the background until the end of the movie and really only gets one big scene at the end of the picture."[155]Baywatch was not a commercial success in North America but the film performed well in the overseas markets, grossing approximately $178 million at the worldwide box office.[156][157] The 2018Sundance Film Festival marked the release of Chopra's next American film,A Kid Like Jake, a drama aboutgender variance, starringJim Parsons andClaire Danes. Amy Nicholson ofVariety commended her "charming presence" but thought that her role added little value to the film.[158] In early 2019, she had signed on to play the leading lady opposite Salman Khan inBharat, but opted out days before filming her scenes. Nikhil Namit, a producer of the film, said that she quit due to her engagement toNick Jonas and accused her of being "a little unprofessional".[159]
In 2019, Chopra had another supporting part, as a yoga ambassador, inTodd Strauss-Schulson's comedyIsn't It Romantic, which starredRebel Wilson. The film was well received by critics and grossed approximately $49 million at the North American box office.[160][161]Dana Schwartz ofEntertainment Weekly considered her to be "perfectly cast" but Benjamin Lee ofThe Guardian thought that she was "not quite interesting enough".[162][163] She returned to Hindi cinema (as Priyanka Chopra Jonas) later in 2019 withShonali Bose's biographical dramaThe Sky Is Pink, in which she played mother toAisha Chaudhary, a teenager suffering from a terminal illness. She also produced the project, and connected with the story for its blend of humour and tragedy.[164] Kate Erbland ofIndieWire found her to be "extraordinary" as "the film's driving force, a tough-talking mama bear", andAnna M. M. Vetticad took note of the "simmering restraint" in her performance.[165][166] The film did not do well at the box office.[167] She received another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[168]
Streaming projects (2020–present)
Chopra Jonas in 2023
In 2020, Chopra Jonas signed a multimillion-dollar first-look TV deal with Amazon Prime Video to back content by first timeBIPOC and female filmmakers.[169][170] Her release that year wasNetflix's children superhero filmWe Can Be Heroes directed byRobert Rodriguez. She starred as Ms. Granada, the director of a superhero organisation called Heroics. The feature received generally positive reviews;[171]Richard Roeper from theChicago Sun-Times praised the actress for "livening up the proceedings" as the strait-laced Ms. Granada, andIan Freer of theEmpire magazine felt that she did the "kids' film acting to the hilt".[172][173] Her first film of 2021 wasRamin Bahrani'sThe White Tiger, an adaptation ofAravind Adiga's satiricalnovel of the same name. She starred alongsideAdarsh Gourav andRajkummar Rao, and also executive produced this Netflix production. Critical reviews towards the film and her performance were positive.[174][175] Writing forThe Times, film criticKevin Maher deemed Chopra's performance "impressive" andThe Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney commended her for bringing "emotional depth" to her role.[176][177] The film received aBest Adapted Screenplay nomination at the93rd Academy Awards.[178] Later that year, Chopra had a supporting role in the science fiction filmThe Matrix Resurrections.[179][180]
She next starred alongsideRichard Madden inAmazon Prime Video's action thriller seriesCitadel (2023).[181] With a production budget of US$300 million, the six-episode first season ranks as one of the most-expensive television shows.[182] It marked the first time in her career when she received equal pay with her male co-star.[183] She performed many of her own stunts, and suffered a permanent scar from an injury on her eyebrow.[184] Critics had mixed opinions on the series,[185] but Jasper Rees ofThe Daily Telegraph was particularly impressed by Chopra Jonas' potential as a femaleJames Bond, finding her "flirty and funny and hard as a bag of nine-inch nails".[186] She then led the romantic comedyLove Again, oppositeSam Heughan andCeline Dion, which was panned by critics.[187][188]
Chopra's main vocal influence was her father, who helped develop her interest in singing.[193][194] She used her vocal talent early in her pageantry career.[195] Her first recording, the song "Ullathai Killathe" in the Tamil filmThamizhan (2002), was made at the urging of her director and co-star, Vijay (who had noticed her singing on the set).[196] She declined to singplayback for "Tinka Tinka" in her filmKaram (2005), preferring to concentrate on her acting career, but later sang the song live on the television programmeSa Re Ga Ma Pa.[197] Chopra recorded an unreleased song forBluffmaster! (2005).[198] In August 2011,Universal Music Group signed Chopra to a worldwide recording agreement withDesiHits. The deal indicated that her first studio album would be released byInterscope Records in North America and byIsland Records elsewhere.[199]
Chopra promoting her songIn My City
In July 2012, Chopra became the first Bollywood star signed byCreative Artists Agency, an entertainment and sports agency based in Los Angeles.[200] The album was produced byRedOne.[201][202] Her first single, "In My City", debuted in the US on 13 September 2012 in a TV spot for theNFL Network'sThursday Night Football;[203] a shortened version of the song was used to open each show of the season. "In My City" features rapperwill.i.am; according to Chopra, a co-writer,[202] the song was inspired by her unsettled childhood and her journey from a small-town girl to a celebrity.[12] The song received mixed reviews from critics, and was a commercial success in India; it sold more than 130,000 copies in its first week, topped the Hindi pop chart and was certifiedtriple platinum.[202][204] In the United States the single was unsuccessful, with 5,000 digital downloads in its first week according toNielsen SoundScan, and did not receive radio play.[202] In October 2012, the single won her the Best International Debut award at thePeople's Choice Awards India.[205] In December 2012, she received three nominations: Best Female Artist, Best Song and Best Video (for "In My City") at theWorld Music Awards.[206] Chopra was also featured on "Erase", anEDM song produced by the American DJ and producer duoThe Chainsmokers.[207][208]
Chopra's first song as a playback singer in Bollywood was "Chaoro", alullaby fromMary Kom (2014).[215] In 2015, she sang the title song, a duet with Farhan Akhtar, forDil Dhadakne Do.[216] She recorded a promotional song forVentilator (2016), making herMarathi language playback singing debut with "Baba".[217] In 2017, Chopra collaborated with the Australian DJWill Sparks for "Young and Free", an EDM song which she also wrote.[218] Chopra later said that her music career "was not living up to my standards" and that it would have been "futile" to have kept pursuing it.[219]
Philanthropy
Chopra supports various causes through her foundation "The Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education", which works towards providing support to unprivileged children across the country in the areas of Education and Health.[220] She donates ten percent of her earnings to fund the foundation's operations, and pays for educational and medical expenses for seventy children in India, fifty among whom are girls.[221] She speaks out on women's issues: against femaleinfanticide andfoeticide, and in support ofeducation for girls.[222] A believer infeminism, Chopra has been vocal aboutwomen's rights,gender equality, andgender pay gap.[223][224][225] In 2006, a "day with Chopra" was auctioned on eBay; the proceeds were donated to an NGO, Nanhi Kali, which helps educate girls in India.[226] She has made appearances in support of other charities, such as the 2005 HELP! Telethon Concert to raise funds for the victims of the2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[227]
She has worked withUNICEF since 2006, recording public-service announcements and participating in media panel discussions promoting children's rights and the education of girls, and also participated in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.[228] She was appointed as the nationalUNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights on 10 August 2010.[229][230] UNICEF Representative Karin Hulshof said of the appointment: "She is equally passionate about her work on behalf of children and adolescents. We are proud of the work she has done with us so far on child rights, and, we are thrilled about all what we will be doing together so that no child gets left behind."[231] In 2009, she shot a documentary for the organisation Alert India to increase understanding ofleprosy.[232] She modelled for designerManish Malhotra andShaina NC's charity fashion show to raise funds for the Cancer Patients Aid Association NGO.[233] In 2010 Chopra was one of several celebrities who created promotional messages for Pearls Wave Trust, which campaigns against violence and abuse of women and girls.[234] Chopra also launched the "Save the Girl Child" campaign, which aims to change the attitudes of Indians towards girls.[235] In 2012 Chopra spoke at the launch of Awakening Youth, an anti-addiction programme.[236]
At a public event in 2019, an activist criticised Chopra for a tweet in which she hailed India's military forces while tensions amid Pakistan and India were escalating. The main line of argument was that she was warmongering and that was incompatible with her job as UN Peace Ambassador. Chopra's response at the event was that she is patriotic.[237][238][239] Pakistan asked for Chopra being sacked from her UN job but UN supported Chopra's right to talk for herself.[240][241]
Chopra on the ramp for Mijwan charity fashion show in 2012
Chopra is a supporter of environmental charities and is brand ambassador forNDTV Greenathon, an initiative to support eco-friendliness and providesolar power to rural villages without electricity supplies.[242] She appeared with children in an animated video to support the cause,[243] and removed rubbish from the banks of theYamuna river inAgra to increase awareness of environmental issues.[244] During the third and fourth editions of Greenathon, She adopted up to seven villages to provide with a regular supply of electricity.[245][246] She adopted a tigress in 2011 and a lioness in 2012 at theBirsa biological park, paying for both animals upkeep for a year.[247] To promote organ donation, Chopra pledged to donate her own organs after death and was co-keynote speaker at theUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Bollywood-themed 20th-anniversary celebration of its liver-transplant programme in 2012.[248][249]
Indian prime ministerNarendra Modi selected Chopra as one of his nine nominees called "Navratna" in 2014 for theSwachh Bharat Abhiyan, a national cleanliness campaign by theGovernment of India.[255] She lent her support to the campaign by working as asanitation worker for a day, cleaning and rehabilitating agarbage-laden neighbourhood in Mumbai, and urged people to maintain the cleanliness.[256]
In 2015, she voicedPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA's) life-size robotic elephant named "Ellie", who visited schools across the United States and Europe to educate kids about elephants and captivity, and to urge people to boycott circuses.[257] Chopra was appointed as the global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in December 2016.[258] In 2017,Variety honoured her with the Power of Women award for her philanthropic work with UNICEF and she received theMother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice for her contribution towards social causes.[259][260] Two years later, Chopra was awarded theDanny Kaye Humanitarian Award by UNICEF for her "philanthropic work and dedication towards the welfare of the society" at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball 2019.[261]
In late April 2021, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in India, Chopra along with husbandNick opened a fundraiser along with NGO GiveIndia to get donations for oxygen supply, COVID-19 care centers, testing, and vaccination efforts. The fundraiser had achieved USD 400,000 in the first few days.[263] Chopra's brother-in-lawKevin Jonas also urged his followers to help donate to the fundraiser.[citation needed] By 13 May 2021, the fundraiser had achieved the $1 million landmark and put its newer target at $3 million for COVID-19 relief.[264]
Chopra started investing in tech companies in 2018 by investing in a coding education startup called Holberton School and the dating and social media appBumble.[270] The Bumble app was launched in India with the help of Chopra in October 2018.[271] In 2021, it was reported that she had invested in the US-based rental marketplaceApartment List.[272] At the Startup India Prarambh event 2021, Chopra said that "ideas are the currency of the present" and that she was looking forward to further invest in a mix of beauty and tech startups.[272] The same month, she launched a haircare line called "Anamoly Haircare" which became available exclusively inTarget stores in the United States on 1 February 2021 and was planned to be available internationally later that year.[273] In March 2021, Chopra opened her new restaurantSona inManhattan, featuring haute-coutureIndian cuisine.[274]
In 2007, Chopra was on the judges' panel of the Miss India pageant. She stated, "Miss India will always remain special. That's where it all started for me. And maybe that's where it would've ended if I hadn't won the crown."[275] She also served as a judge atMiss World 2009.[276][277] She visitedJawan troops inTenga, in eastern India, for a special episode of the NDTV showJai Jawan celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's independence.[278]
In 2010, she hosted the third season of the reality showFear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi on theColors channel, taking over from previous host Akshay Kumar.[279] According to contestants, in hosting the series, Chopra had "transformed into quite a whip-wielding dictator", relentlessly pushing the contestants to work.[279] She performed most of her own stunts, adamant to prove that she could rival Akshay Kumar, who had hosted the previous two seasons.[279] The opening ratings of the show topped those of the two previous seasons.[280] The show was praised by critics, and earned her theIndian Telly Award for Most Impactful Debut on Television.[281][282] In February 2016, Chopra presented the award forBest Film Editing at the88th Academy Awards.[283]
Chopra has participated in a number of world tours and concerts. She took part in a world concert tour, "Temptations 2004", and performed with other Bollywood actors (including Shah Rukh Khan,Saif Ali Khan,Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta andArjun Rampal) in 19 stage shows.[284] In 2011, she participated (with Shahid Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan) in a concert inDurban, South Africa celebrating 150 years of India–South Africa friendship.[285] In 2012, she performed atM. A. Chidambaram Stadium,Chennai in theopening ceremony of thefifth season of cricket'sIndian Premier League with Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Katy Perry.[286] The same year, she performed atDubai Festival City's Ahlan Bollywood Concert with other Bollywood stars such as Salman Khan andSophie Choudry.[287]
Chopra began writing an opinion column for theHindustan Times in 2009. She wrote a total of 50 columns for the newspaper. She said after her first year of writing: "I'm a private person and never thought that I could express my feelings. But strangely enough, whenever I sat down to write this column, my inner most thoughts came to the fore."[289] In March 2009, she met several readers who had submitted feedback on her weekly column.[290] She continued to write sporadically for newspapers. In August 2012 she wrote a column published inThe Times of India titled "No woman in Mumbai feels safe any longer", discussing the murder of 25-year-old Pallavi Purkayastha,[291] whom she met while working onDon.[25] In the article, Chopra expressed her views about the safety of women in cities.[291] In a July 2014 article published inThe Guardian, Chopra criticisedfemale genital mutilation andchild marriage.[292]
Later that year, Chopra wrote an op-ed forThe New York Times titled "WhatJane Austen Knew" about the importance of education for girls. She praised and quotedNobel Peace Prize winnersMalala Yousafzai andKailash Satyarthi, and described how her desire to help others was triggered when, at 9, she joined her parents while they volunteered their spare time to offer modern health care to the rural poor.[293] In late 2014, Chopra began writing a monthly column, "Pret-a-Priyanka", forElle. In an article published in January 2015, she expressed her views on diversity and being a global citizen.[294] Released byPenguin Random House, Chopra published her first memoir titledUnfinished on 9 February 2021.[295] In a rave review,Associated Press's Molly Sprayregen termed the book "deeply open and honest account" and wrote "Chopra Jonas' writing is open, engaging, and full of energy. She writes, it seems, to connect. The experience feels intimate, like Chopra Jonas is exchanging stories with a friend over coffee. Her stories are exceedingly personal, and despite being an international movie star, many of them even feel relatable."[296]Unfinished reachedThe New York Times Best Seller list in the United States.[297]
Chopra with her husband Nick Jonas at aHoli celebration party in Mumbai in 2020
Chopra lived in an apartment on the same floor as her family before moving to the US.[1][298] She was especially close to her father, who died in June 2013;[299] in 2012, she got a tattoo reading "Daddy's lil girl" in his handwriting.[25] Having not come from a film background, she describes herself as aself-made woman.[300] Her mother, a well-establishedgynaecologist inBareilly, gave up her practice to support Chopra as she embarked upon a film career.[301][302]
A practisingHindu, Chopra performs apuja every morning at a small shrine consisting of variousmurtis of Hindu deities in her home, which she even travels with.[303][304] Although she is known for her media-friendly attitude, Chopra is publicly reticent about her personal life.[25] Chopra started dating American singer and actorNick Jonas in May 2018. Jonas proposed to her on 19 July 2018, a day after her birthday, inCrete, Greece.[305] Chopra and Jonas became engaged in August 2018 in aPunjabi Roka ceremony inMumbai.[306] In December 2018, the couple married atUmaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur in traditional Hindu and Christian ceremonies.[307][308] Following the marriage, Chopra legally changed her full name to "Priyanka Chopra Jonas".[309] In January 2022, the couple had a daughter named Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, viasurrogacy.[310][311]
Public image
Chopra in 2016
Chopra is known in the Indian media and film industry for her professionalism and is popularly referred to by the media and the film industry as "PeeCee", "PC" and "Piggy Chops".[312][313][314][315] She has had a Twitter account since January 2009, and was the tenth most followed Indian on the platform as of 2012.[47] In 2012, she was declared the most influential Indian on social-media in a survey conducted byPinstorm and in 2015, Chopra appeared inHuffPost's "100 Most Influential Women on Twitter" list, in which she was ranked first among Indians.[316][317] As of August 2024, she is one of themost-followed people on Instagram.[318][319]
Remarking upon her role choices,CNN-IBN described Chopra as a powerful modern actress unafraid of experimenting with roles.[320] Analysing Chopra's career,Bollywood Hungama noted her constant growth as a performer despite career fluctuations.[46][320]The Times of India called her a "game changer" for changing "the age-old demarcation between a hero and heroine".[321] In 2012, film critic Subhash K. Jha labelled her "the best actress in the post-Sridevi generation" and listed her character inBarfi! as being "one of the finest inwardly ravaged characters in Bollywood."[322] Chopra has often featured on Rediff.com's annual listing of "Bollywood's Best Actresses", ranking first in 2009, and was featured in their list of "Top 10 Actresses of 2000–2010".[85][323]
A high-profile and popular celebrity in India, Chopra is described as asex symbol and a style icon.[1][324][325] Her figure, eyes, lips and looks have been cited by the media as her distinctive physical features.[326][327][328] Designers Falguni and Shane Peacock wrote, "She is comfortable in her own skin and looks ravishing in whatever she wears, be it a bikini, short or long dress or even asari."[329] She was named "India's Best-Dressed Woman of the Year" byPeople India in 2011.[2] She ranks highly on various beauty listings in the world.[330] The UK magazineEastern Eye ranked her first on their list of "World's Sexiest Asian Women" for a record five times (2006, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017).[331] Chopra also topped theMaxim India's Hot 100 list in 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018.[2] In 2017,Buzznet named her the world's second most beautiful woman afterBeyoncé.[332] Chopra was named one ofPeople magazine'sMost Beautiful Women in the World in 2017 and 2019.[333][334]
Chopra is also one of the highest-paid Indian celebrities and the highest paid actress in Bollywood.[1][348][349] She has featured in theIndian edition of "Celebrity 100" every year since its inception in 2012, ranking under top fifteen each year except 2018.[350][351] Chopra ranked as the highest earning Indian female celebrity in 2016 and 2017 with respective earnings of₹760 million (US$9.0 million) and₹680 million (US$8.0 million), peaking at the seventh position in 2017.[352][353] The global edition ofForbes named her the world's eighth-highest-paid TV actress both years.[354][355] Chopra is a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products.[1][330] She ranked second in the list ofbrand ambassadors of 2008 (after Shah Rukh Khan) in a survey conducted byTAM AdEx.[356] The following year, she topped their list, becoming the first woman in India to do so.[47][357] Chopra has represented many brands, includingTAG Heuer,Pepsi,Nikon,Nokia,Garnier andNestlé; she was the first female representative ofHero Honda.[47][358] In 2016, Chopra became the first Indian woman to representPantene as its global brand ambassador.[359] In 2017,Forbes reported that Chopra earned at least $1 million per endorsement deal.[360] In 2020, Chopra was one among several Bollywood actors who were criticised on social media for posting Instagram messages showing solidarity with theBlack Lives Matter movement, despite their previous work advertising skin-lightening products which perpetuate colorism.[361][362] In the past Chopra has expressed regret for promoting such products.[363]
Chopra and three other Bollywood actors (Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Hrithik Roshan) had their likenesses made into a series of miniature dolls for U.S. toy manufacturerHasbro and the UK-based Bollywood Legends Corporation.[364] In 2009, Chopra became the first Indian actress to cast a foot impression at theSalvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence, Italy, and she received custom-designed shoes from the Ferragamo house.[1]Madame Tussauds museum installed four wax sculptures of her in 2019 at four locations, includingNew York,London,Sydney, and a traveling exhibit between several Asian cities, making her the first Indian actor to have wax statues in four Madame Tussauds museums.[365] In 2013, she became the first Indian model to representGuess, whose CEOPaul Marciano called her "the youngSophia Loren".[366] Chopra's life, pictures of her family and win at the Miss World in 2000 were depicted in a chapter ofRoving Families, Shifting Homes, a book taught atSpringdales School.[367] Three unauthorised biographies of her have been published: Indu Prabhu'sPriyanka Chopra: Road To Destiny (2016), Aseem Chhabra'sPriyanka Chopra: The Incredible Story of a Global Bollywood Star (2018) and Bharathi S. Pradhan'sPriyanka Chopra: The Dark Horse (2018).[368][369]
^Chattopadhyay, Pallavi (27 October 2012)."The Reluctant Singer".The Indian Express.Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved9 December 2012.
^Neha Sharma and Garima Sharma (12 March 2009)."Hi, it's Priyanka".Hindustan Times. Archived fromthe original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved5 September 2012.
^Chopra, Priyanka (4 December 2014)."What Jane Austen Knew: Priyanka Chopra on Educating Girls".The New York Times.Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved30 December 2014.What had they done wrong? My parents tried to explain as best they could the stigma that surrounded and still surrounds girls in our country. How do you explain that to a 9-year-old? What I took away from the discussion was that the parents we met believed that their sons were better than their daughters. It rankled. I couldn't understand why, but from that moment, I vowed to help those girls as much as I could.
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