Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ rise from a small-town girl to a global icon has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over the years, she has faced bullies, tackled racial discrimination and broken barriers in Bollywood and Hollywood. While her journey has ever been visible to all, her mother Madhu Chopra, recently shared lesser-known insights into her life. In an exclusive interview with Lehren Retro, she spoke about Priyanka’s childhood, her struggles and her unstoppable spirit. Also reflecting on Priyanka’s journey in Hollywood, her marriage to Nick Jonas and her life as a mother to Malti Marie.
As the daughter of doctors serving in the army, Priyanka had a unique upbringing. Due to their demanding work schedules, Madhu Chopra decided to send Priyanka to a boarding school at the very young age of six. Though she initially struggled, she gradually adapted to the independent lifestyle. Nt just that then at the age of 12, she moved to the United States to live with her aunt where she again had to navigate life on her own. This period shaped her resilience and by the time she returned to India, she was a strong, self-sufficient young woman who even took care of her younger brother Siddharth Chopra.
During the interview, Madhu Chopra was asked how Priyanka dealt with racism in school and then went on to win the Miss World title in the same country. Proud mother responded with an interesting analogy saying “Priyanka ke paas ek toy hota tha, jisko hit-me bolte the, jisko maara toh wapas aata tha (Priyanka had a toy called a hit-me doll, which would bounce back every time it was hit)”. She then added, “Priyanka is that! She’ll come back with new ventures. You cannot put her down. Since childhood, she has been like this.” Her mother emphasized how Priyanka has always lived by the mantra, “Failure is not an option.”
Priyanka Chopra’s success speaks for itself. After her pageant win, she stepped into Indian cinema, debuting with the Tamil film Thamizhan (2002) then rose to fame in Bollywood before breaking barriers in Hollywood, where she achieved equal pay as her male co-stars proving her inestimable power to tackle against norms. Beyond acting, she has also made her mark as a producer supporting independent films and promoting meaningful cinema.
Her mother, Madhu Chopra, takes immense pride in her achievements, knowing that no matter what comes her way, Priyanka will always stand tall and move forward. From a small-town girl to a global sensation, her story continues to inspire millions.
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