The Padma Shri is not the first award that the Indian Govermment has bestowed upon Priyanka Chopra. She picked up the National Award for her role in the movie Fashion. But receiving the highest civilian honour was emotional for the actress, and also special because she is the daughter of an army officer.
“My father would have been the happiest person if he was alive. I missed him and cried a lot. It is an honour to be acknowledged by your country for your work,” said Chopra, who added that it does not take an award to make her realise her responsibilities. “I’ve always been responsible in my life. I never take things for granted. That’s how I have been grown up by my parents. It doesn’t need an award to remind me of my responsibilities,” she said.
As of now, the actors schedule charts read Quatico and Baywatch and she could squeeze out only a few days for her trip here. And she credits her colleagues in the US for all their support to make it possible. “I am grateful to the entire cast and crew of Quantico as they are not shooting now but have agree to happily shoot on Saturday, just so I could come here,” smiled Chopra. But it did take her some time to explain to them about the felicitation because they were unaware of the Padma awards. “I had to explain them about this recognition and its importance. I told them it’s a prestigious title by the government like they have in their country. This got them excited and they worked for 24 hours so that I could get a four-day off for this trip,” Chopra added, who is currently shooting for the finale episodes of Quantico and the last leg of Baywatch.
Speaking about the award and whether that would categorise her she firmly made her thoughts heard. “I don’t think people should be put in boxes,” she said, “Padma award doesn’t put me in any box. It’s recognition of my work. For every artiste, this is important.”
In all the years that Chopra has been in the industry, she has evolved and matured and she believes that everyone has that ability. “It depends on how much you can punish your body. It is how much you can tell yourself that no matter what you have to honour your commitments,” she added.
For actors, facing an international crew can be quite intimidating. But not Chopra. According to her, her training in the “biggest, most prolific film industry in the world” has given her the confidence to best do her job in front of any camera. “I have worked with amazing film-makers in Bollywood who have taught me the art of acting. So you place me in front of any actor or director, I would be able to pull off my work confidently. I don’t find difference in Bollywood or Hollywood,” she rattled off with credence.
When asked about whether people in America were inquisitive about an Indian actor she said, “I don’t think the world knows Indians very well. They are driven by stereotypes largely. It’s because of lack of education. They think India is only about meditation, yoga and spirituality. But it’s not true. We have different avenues where we excel. I’m having good time with people discovering who I am and my work there. I tell them about my films. A lot of them have seen my Hindi films on Netflix. So it’s a great cultural exchange happening over there. I tell them about the Indian diversity. We’re a mini-world.”
It has been a few years that Bollywood actors are making a place for themselves in the international entertainment industry, and in a way pacing way for other actors in the process. However, according to Chopra, the entertainment business is not restricted to one territory. “like Indians films are earning big abroad, Hollywood too is eyeing on India for business opportunities. Entertainment is on your phone today. So everybody is interested in breaking regional boundaries. Quantico has been telecasted in 120 territories and dubbed in almost 44 languages. It was a lucrative business and made sense. It’s a great time to collide. Indian talents need to be seen abroad,” she explained.
But ask her if she wants to do another television show post Quantico and pat comes the reply, “No.” She pointed out that although filmmaking is very similar everywhere, the TV show was different. “It is just not the medium but the entire process is different. I have a new found respect for people working in television for the patience they have to work in a place that is so full of chaos. In comparison, films are a lot more languid,” she added.
After a hard day’s work, what does Priyanka Chopra does before calling it a night, we asked. “Honestly, I need at least one and a half hour for myself before I retire to bed. But mostly I get so tired of work that I doze off. I am totally engrossed in my work. I don’t have ability to make excuses,” she wrapped up.
photo Sunny Mathews