During the master class at the Jio MAMI Film Festival, Priyanka Chopra opened up about her journey from winning beauty pageants to becoming a leading actress in Bollywood.

Priyanka Chopra needs no introduction, as she has gained recognition in Bollywood and Hollywood. The actress was recently in India to attend the Jio MAMI Film Festival 2023. For the unversed, PeeCee was the chairperson of the prestigious event this year. During her conversation in the master class interview with Bhumi Pednekar, which is currently streaming on Film Companion’s YouTube channel, the duo was seen talking about their respective acting careers.

Priyanka Chopra on how her life changed after winning beauty pageants

During her chat at the Jio MAMI Film Festival, Priyanka Chopra opened up about winning beauty pageants at the age of 17 and revealed how it made a huge impact on her life.

For the unversed, PeeCee became Miss World in 2000, and soon after, started her acting journey with the 2002 Tamil film, Thamizhan. Talking about the same, the Barfi actress shared that winning beauty pageants, when she was hardly 17-18, had a huge impact on her life. Priyanka said:

“At that age, everyone constantly looking at me and expecting me to be on my best behaviour, and never say anything wrong, was tough. Because I was a pageant winner, I was expected to be perfect in every way.”

Priyanka Chopra recalls how Krrish changed her acting career

Priyanka Chopra also opened up about her journey in the film industry and revealed how she was always worried about what she would do next, before the massive success of Krrish. She shared that she was ready to take up any opportunity that came her way, but things slowly began to change, as she was finally in a position to pick the movies she wanted to do. In her words:

“Many, many films later. I think around the first Krrish maybe, somewhere there. Before that, there was always, ‘Oh my God, what’s the next one I am going to do? What opportunity is going to come to me?’ I picked from what came to me. After the first Krrish, because I had just done Aitraaz as well, I had done work which gave me a solid foundation. I got critical acclaim. I had people telling me that I knew my job even though I didn’t know that I knew my job. But that was a very clear time when I started seeking work that would challenge me.”

Priyanka Chopra on doing Madhur Bhandarkar’s directorial, Fashion

During the same conversation, Priyanka Chopra added that her moment of glory came when she starred in Madhur Bhandarkar’s film, Fashion. At that time, many people had warned her against playing the lead in a female-oriented movie. However, she was sure about doing the film. Reflecting on the same, PeeCee said:

“Fashion was a time when I took that decision. It was right around Krrish that Madhur sir and I met. At that time, I was told that ‘ladkiya female oriented roles apne career ke end mein karti hai National award ke liye. Tumhari to abhi abhi shuru hui hai. You have just done Krrish and Aitraaz, you are having such a moment. Why are you doing it (Fashion)?  Uss zamane mein hota bhi nahi tha itna.  This is early 2005 or 2006.”

Priyanka Chopra, who is now pursuing a career in Hollywood, has also secured her position as a leading actress in Bollywood. Back then she liked Madhur’s idea and loved the film’s script. For her performance in the film, Fashion, she was bestowed with the National Award for Best Actress. Recalling the time, she said:

“But I just didn’t know any better. I loved the script. I loved what Madhur was talking about. I think, all I focused on was immersing myself into ‘who is this girl’?”

What are your views about Priyanka Chopra’s revelations?