For 16 years, Priyanka Chopra dominated showbiz and she shows no signs of has slowing down. In 2000, she made India proud with her Miss World title; in 2016, she has the honour of being the only South Asian actress to have bagged the People's Choice Award for her role in the American TV series Quantico, which will have as many as 22 episodes in its first season. Living out of a suitcase... one foot firmly ensconced in Bollywood; the other in the West, PC is far from jet-lagged. She tells Bombay Times what made her nervous at the award ceremony, why she was keen to play Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani and how the Hindi film industry has instilled supreme confidence in her.

Is Alex (Parrish) from Quantico cheering Kashibai (Bajirao Mastani)? Or is it the other way around?
OMG! I don't know. You say. All I know is that I'm ecstatic about both. In 2000, I was a 17-year-old who was over the moon at having bagged the Miss World title. Here I am again, feeling blessed and happy at having won this honour for Quantico. For me, the biggest achievement was receiving an honour outside my country. I was truly nervous when I went to the awards function at Los Angeles. I was holding on to mom really tight. I barely knew five people out there, yet everyone seemed to know me. I was shy when they walked up and congratulated me. You know, I have never walked around with bells and whistles. So, it was indeed a pleasant surprise that so many people were acquainted with my work. It's incredible when your work is recognised. That's all I've ever truly wanted.

What about Kashi? Have you had time to celebrate her?
I just loved the way Sanjay Leela Bhansali brought Kashi alive. She had no voice, no presence in history. Yet, here was this astute filmmaker who brought her back with so much dignity. You're aware that I was the first person who was signed for Bajirao Mastani. I was still shooting Mary Kom when Sanjay sir signed me. I wasn't sure how her character would shape up but I was very sure I wanted to play her. I could feel her poignancy and pain. Often, her silence spoke more than her words. She wasn't the protagonist, but after seeing the film, I must say, he has done complete justice to her. I'm proud that today Kashi is being remembered as a self-respecting, forthright woman.

How has Jai GangaaJal, your next release shaped up?
Again, it's a film and a character I am totally proud of. Prakash Jha is a bold filmmaker. Besides gender equality, this film also deals with the topical and disturbing subject of farmers' suicides. I thank Prakashji for putting me in a cop's uniform. I'm a proud feminist and I truly believe that it shouldn't matter whether it's a man or a woman who is wearing khaki. What matters is the honour that you bring to it. On a lighter note, I also bullied Prakashji right through the filming because he is making his acting debut with this one.

Quantico has taken you far away...
No, never. It's not as if it's mutually exclusive. I'm very much a part of the Hindi cinema industry. Of course, I'm away now because we are prepping for the second half of season one of Quantico, which will begin once the winter break is over. However, Bollywood will always remain my priority. I have managed to achieve what I have only because of all that I have learnt from our prolific industry. I can go on any stage, overcome any obstacle because of the confidence that Bollywood has instilled in me. Frankly, all I want to do is act. It doesn't matter where my assignment takes me.

How do you manage to keep in touch with home?
As you know, I try and fly back home on weekends. I have work commitments to attend to. And let's not forget that's where I truly belong.