As mid-day traces a day in the life of a daily wager, make-up artiste Subhash Singh slams cine bodies for not distributing funds promptly
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 7, 2020)

Escaping into the make-believe world of cinema every night is helping make-up artiste Subhash Singh get by these days. "My family and I watch movies till late night. On waking up, my first duty is to arrange food for the 40 strays in the area," says Singh.

The make-up artiste — who has worked with several of Bollywood's leading ladies — admits he was one of the fortunate few who got their monies as he was working on Salman Khan's Radhe. "I have sent some money via Google Pay to those I know," he says, adding that he too has financial constraints. "My mother came out of a coma recently. So, I have to bear the medical expenses."

While he keeps busy throughout the day with household chores, the Goregaon resident also dedicates a part of the day to reaching out to his peers. "A few senior hairdressers reached out to me and I discussed their predicament with the association [Make-Up Artistes Association]. I keep hearing how large donations are being made [by stars], but people are going hungry here. Groupism is being practised at [the cine associations]."

The harsh times have uncovered some bitter truths about the industry. "I got calls from Juhi [Chawla], Preity [Zinta] and Madhu Chopra, asking if I need anything. The current crop of actors have not called to check on us."

Priyanka Chopra on her comeback Hindi film, The Sky Is Pink, her production plans and making her long-distance marriage with Nick Jonas work
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 6, 2019)

From becoming the face for desi talent in the US by headlining the ABC show, Quantico, to her marriage to pop star Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is evidently in a content space. And yet, for anyone who knows her well enough, she is always hungry for more.

We catch up with her at Mehboob Studios, Bandra, and chat about why film sets need to go plastic-free given the alarming state of the environment, but soon enough, we nosedive into a conversation about what made her choose a fairly non-commercial filmmaker Shonali Bose's The Sky Is Pink even when industry bigwigs were lining up at her doorstep.

"I have never picked up conventional or mainstream films. To me, a good story matters the most. I am a movie buff and this was a story that sucked me in. Be it a Bajirao Mastani or a Mary Kom or Barfi! they aren't conventional. Of course, I do tentpole films but that's not the only thing I depend on. Now, the audience is different. A few years ago, when we were marketing our films we would say, 'leave your brains at home and watch the movie'. People don't want to leave their brains behind at home anymore. I understand that people want to shaken, stirred and moved while watching a film," starts off Chopra.

She admits that she has not watched Bose's films. "She keeps telling me, 'How did you say yes to me without seeing my work?'" Chopra says that the story moved her to bits. The Sky Is Pink, in Shonali's words, is the love story of Niren and Aditi Chaudhury, the parents of Aisha, an author and motivational speaker who died of pulmonary fibrosis.

"This story is profound and funny. It hits your heart. I have been acting for 16 years. I have worked with many new filmmakers. When I talk to a filmmaker, I can sense how much they know a subject. The script spoke to me. When I met her in New York, I knew instinctively that I wanted to be directed by her. There are filmmakers I have worked with and have not been able to trust. I wanted an immersive experience and Shonali had clarity. She told me how she lost her child. There is a certain lightness about death. She told me that people go when their work on Earth is done. You shouldn't mourn their death but celebrate their life. I hadn't dealt with my father's death as well. But she made me realise that I didn't need to mourn him. People who love us don't want us to grieve. This film discusses a heavy subject but is told by Aisha who is light-hearted. Her parents decided to give her every kind of adventure and love that they could think of. I was amazed that these real-life people who created an extraordinary life for their daughter. It was incredibly inspiring for me as an actor. I went through a roller-coaster of emotions, laughing my guts out and crying a little through it. The film made me call up those I love and tell them how much I cherish them."

Chopra was attracted to the story of enduring love of Niren and Aditi who met as high school sweethearts. Now, at 55 they still hold hands, give each other a peck and survived the loss of two children. "Their chemistry is overpowering, 70 per cent of couples separate after the death of their children. To be happy and have compassion is hard in such scenarios. Life is not a pursuit of rage but happiness. When my dad was suffering, I remember the toll it took on mom [Madhu]."

She derived the character from her mother as much as she did from Aditi and Shonali. "My mother is similar to Aditi, fiercely protective and her own person. We are taught as girls to have that kind of independence, have opinions and have a voice. I want the world to see that a free-spirited family can be well-knit and doesn't take away from sanskars."

Though Chopra is back with a Bollywood film after a gap, she says, "I always had films coming my way. But during Quantico, I had to give 11 months of my year to them. This is why I did Baywatch, A Kid Like Jake and Isn't It Romantic because one month is not enough to finish a feature. Post-Quantico, I knew what kind of film I was looking for. I knew Alex Parish so well that I needed a role to scare me. I wanted to be on my toes, get sleepless nights. I knew I wanted to be fed as an artiste. It's a responsibility to play a real-life person. I had to play a mother which I am not yet. I remember a scene required me to go so deep into me that once cameras stopped, I held Shonali and cried. I was getting married when I was shooting, so there was no time to plan the wedding in between the film."

With The Sky Is Pink, Chopra also turns a Hindi film producer too. "I want to do web series and features across languages. I am an EP on the Netflix film, The White Tiger. I am producing the Mindy Kaling film as well as web shows. I like taking chance on new talent because I never had that."

'We Inform Each Other Of Every Tiny Detail'
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and husband Nick Jonas lead hectic lives thanks to their professional commitments. PeeCee says, "We have rules. We don't go two weeks without meeting each other, no matter where we are in the world. We have to stay in touch. We have to inform each other of every tiny detail. Our schedules are opposite when we are in different time zones, but we FaceTime our way through this. It's a modern-day long distance relationship, which is hinged on how much we want to make it work. We love each other's company and we are each other's best friends. Sometimes, I wake him in the middle of the night and shriek out something that happened with me and he's there. We get how important our work is to us. We are ambitious and driven and in love in equal parts."

After Madhu Chopra stated ceremony was postponed because the bride was ailing, Ishita posts about “new beginnings and beautiful endings”
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 3, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (April 30) that Priyanka Chopra’s brother Siddharth’s wedding, which was to take place last weekend has been postponed, reportedly because the bride-to-be had to undergo an emergency surgery and needed time to recuperate. Ishita even posted a picture from the hospital a week ago, stating, “Recovering from surgery. Very painful but glad it’s over.”

On Thursday, she posted another picture of herself at a resto-bar, this time with the cryptic caption, “Cheers to new beginnings. With a goodbye kiss to beautiful endings.”

Followers reacted with messages cheering her up and telling her to “stay strong and beautiful”. Her mother, Nidhi Kumar, advised, “Close old book and write new story” while father Anirudh stated, “We are with you; Feel the expanse of the universe and be the star you were born to be.”

Mysteriously, pictures from her roka ceremony have gone missing from her Instagram handle, except for a solo picture. There is not a single picture of her with her groom-to-be on the handle. Interestingly, just a few days ago, Ishita had shared a picture with friends from her bridal shower, stating, “Last night was so much fun. Thank you for making it so special. Can’t believe it I’m getting married.”

Priyanka, who had reportedly arrived for the wedding on April 24, left six days later, on April 30, after casting her vote and inaugurating her mother Madhu Chopra’s clinic with Siddharth. The trio did not speak of the impending wedding, instead PeeCee was spotted partying with new bride Isha Ambani and cousin Parineeti Chopra.

Soon after her return to the US, the actress unfollowed Ishita on Instagram. However, PeeCee’s dog, Bailey Chopra, continues to ‘follow’ her.

The engagement ceremony in March was a family affair in the capital city. Priyanka and Nick who had tied the knot just three months ago, had flown down from Los Angeles for it. PeeCee welcomed Ishita into the family, rhapsodising over pictures of the couple, “You r so beautiful together… I wish you both the best for the future.” An ecstatic Ishita had also shared pictures of the gifts from the couple, along with a handwritten note from ‘NP’ informing that these were just some fun things to welcome her. “It’s a kit to be a bride. We love you,” the note stated. Siddharth and Ishita were reportedly in a relationship for a while before they agreed to take the plunge.

Earlier, in October 2014, Siddharth had got engaged to longtime girlfriend Kanika Mathur. The couple was to marry in Feb 2015, in Goa. A status on Siddharth’s Facebook page on Dec 4, 2014 read, “Wedding plans. Early Morning flight to Goa.” But before the year was out, he put up another post to say, “Single. Ready to mingle. Go Goa Gone. Wish everyone a very happy 2015.”

That time too, it was said that the wedding had only been delayed and not cancelled. “Siddharth wants to concentrate on his career and his new venture (a pub-lounge in Pune). Pushing it ahead was a big decision for both the families,” a source close to the family was quoted as saying. Priyanka was not in the country at that time and it was said, the wedding could not take place without her.

On Thursday, on the wedding being “postponed” Madhu Chopra, had told Bombay Times, “We are disappointed but what can you do when a person is unwell? We wish Ishita a speedy recovery.”

Mirror contacted Priyanka’s publicity manager and also mother Madhu Chopra on the conflicting reports about Siddharth and Ishita’s wedding. Despite repeated texts and calls, both chose not to comment. 

Priyanka Chopra's mother Madhu Chopra rubbishes rumours of actor's pregnancy, attributes bulge seen in pictures to her 'slumped posture'
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; February 19, 2019)

Priyanka Chopra Jonas set tongues wagging when she attended the recent New York Fashion Week. Dressed in checkered separates from designer Michael Kors' line, Chopra — otherwise envied for her washboard abs — appeared to flaunt a belly bulge. It took only a few pictures from the gala for fans worldwide to start speculating if the actor and husband Nick Jonas were in the family way.

The actor's mother, Madhu Chopra, who is currently promoting their next production, Firebrand, doesn't understand the hullabaloo around the pictures. "It was a bad angle," she asserts, dismissing rumours of pregnancy. While some fans wondered if the bulge was simply a case of an ill-fitted skirt, Madhu says, "The outfit was nice. She looked like that only in some pictures, the rest were fine. Blame it on the camera angle!"

The star mother goes on to add that Priyanka was far from amused when she heard the chatter around her supposed pregnancy. "When I spoke to Priyanka on the phone, she told me that she was tired and hence, had a slumped posture. I told her what people were saying, and she simply said, 'Mamma, give me a break!'"

She is glad when the conversation steers towards Priyanka's real baby — her production house, Purple Pebble Pictures. Directed by veteran filmmaker Aruna Raje, their latest offering is slated to drop on Netflix on February 22. Considering the multi-lingual marks the studio's web debut, Madhu says Priyanka has been thoroughly involved with the project. "Priyanka runs the production house from whichever part of the world she is in."

Initially, they had thought of releasing the film in theatres. "But when we saw the first cut, we thought it needed a bigger audience. It will stream in over 100 countries."

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 7, 2018)

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ wedding last week was a perfect amalgamation of Indian and Western cultures, as they took their nuptial vows according to Christian rituals and Hindu customs.

For Madhu Chopra (PC’s mother), seeing her ‘little girl’ tying the knot was a dream come true. She tells us, “It was an emotional moment for everyone. I broke into tears when I saw Priyanka dressed as a bride. I had waited for this day all my life.” She was always keen that her daughter should have a proper Indian wedding. “We followed all the rituals to the T. There were no shortcuts. I wanted an Indian shaadi for her and Priyanka knew that. She fulfilled my wish. It’s lovely to see the amount of love people have for her and Nick,” she adds.

For the Catholic ceremony, the Quantico actress wore a gorgeous Ralph Lauren white gown with a 75-feet veil, while her husband opted for a black tuxedo. The doting mother exclaims, “I was at a loss of words. When I saw Priyanka, I couldn’t control my emotions. The white gown was so beautiful. My baby looked like a princess.”

The next day, PC opted for a heavily-embroidered red Sabyasachi lehenga choli. According to Madhu, “Priyanka looked ‘her prettiest best’ in the outfit.  There was no jhatak, no jhilmil — it was a simple yet classy ensemble.”

The doctor-turned-film producer was spotted grooving with her daughter on stage for the sangeet, too. “It was lovely. Sab dance kar rahe the sangeet pe and everyone was enjoying themselves. The entire atmosphere was vibrant and energetic,” she recalls.

Madhu is all praises for her beti, who has managed to bridge the gap between the East and West effortlessly. She states, “I’m immensely proud of her. It’s majorly because she has done so well for herself and still continues to be so rooted. Woh dekhke mujhe yehi laga ki chahein woh kitna bhi West mein rahe, she will always be connected to our culture.”

She also adds that all this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Priyanka’s in-laws. She smiles and says, “Nick’s family members are such lovely human beings. They were completely fine with the blend of the cultures and Nick is immensely respectful and well-spoken. He makes sure everyone around him comfortable. He’s the best son-in-law one could ask for.”


Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas (left); and  The actress with mom Madhu Chopra

Madhu Chopra on the now-deleted article that termed Priyanka Chopra 'a global scam artist'
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 7, 2018)

A day after it was pulled off the site, the scathing article on Priyanka Chopra published by The Cut - an offshoot of The New York magazine - continues to dominate public conversation. Titled 'Is Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' Love For Real?', the piece termed Chopra as a 'global scam artist who tricked a naive and young Jonas into a lifelong commitment'.

While Chopra's fans and peers unanimously slammed the vitriolic piece, mother Madhu Chopra opened up to mid-day about it. "It is a happy phase for our family, and we don't want to be disturbed by such idiotic things. I am happy that my daughter is married to someone she truly loves," said Chopra, who has returned to Mumbai along with the newly-weds after a week-long celebration. She added, "I don't want to give publicity to those fools. There are some donkeys who do anything they feel like, but their actions don't affect us."

When Priyanka was asked to comment on the article, at an event in the capital on Wednesday, she took the high road by stating that it was "not even in my stratosphere". Her brother-in-law Joe Jonas lent her support by describing the article as "disgusting". His girlfriend Sophie Turner too took to social media to write, "This is wildly inappropriate. Very disappointed that The Cut would give anyone a platform to spew such bull****. (sic)"

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 4, 2018)

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s lavish wedding at the Umaid Bhawan Palace was a beautiful blend of Indian and Western culture. The couple had a Christian wedding on December 1 followed by a Hindu ceremony the next day.

On Sunday evening, as the regal baraat procession reached the Baradari Lawns, Priyanka’s mom, Madhu, performed an aarti to welcome the groom. The men among the baraatis were dressed in sherwanis and Rajasthani saafas, while women wore lehenga-cholis. Before the wedding, PC’s cousin, Parineeti, hid Nick’s shoes as per the joota chupai ceremony and demanded Rs 5 lakh to return the same.

A source says, “Both the families accepted and followed each other’s customs wholeheartedly. During the Hindu wedding, Priyanka’s younger sibling, Siddharth, explained every ritual and its significance to Nick’s family. Siddharth and Nick’s brothers — Kevin, Joe and Frankie — also had a fun-filled competition where they picked up the bride and groom to a certain height, right before the varmalas (garlands) were exchanged.”

Nick was quite intrigued with the Hindu rituals. “When he was told that the saat pheras imply a vow taken by the bride and groom to spend seven lifetimes together, the latter exclaimed, ‘We should take seven more’. Everyone cheered after he made this remark.” Right after the wedding celebrations wrapped up, the American singer-songwriter also took the mic to give a short speech about his beloved wife, which left the latter teary-eyed. “He vowed to stay true to his promise and take care of her forever. At the end, PC was quite overwhelmed with Nick’s sweet gesture,” adds the source. After the nuptials, the guests partied till late.

Yesterday, both the families left for Delhi where Nickyanka will have their first reception tonight. A Bollywood reception is also on the cards, but the newlyweds are yet to lock in on a date and venue.

— With inputs from Sangeeta Sharma


(The newly-weds at Jodhpur airport. —Pic: Yogen Shah)

Priyanka Chopra and American singer-songwriter Nick Jonas tied the knot amidst friends, family and fireworks in a four-day celebration in Jodhpur
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 3, 2018)

Celebrations of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’s wedding, which kickstarted on Thursday, culminated into Christian and Hindu-style weddings on Saturday and Sunday respectively in the garden of the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. Sangeet, one of the first ceremonies to take place, was held on Friday and themed ‘boys vs girls’ where members from both side of the families put their best foot forward. PeeCee’s dance with mom Madhu Chopra on “Ram Chahe Leela” from the film Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela was a hit, while Dil Dhadakne Do’s “Gallan Goodiyaan” was the most played song at the party.

The bride’s actress-cousin Parineeti enacted her as part of her performance in two of the acts, while the bride and groom’s mothers spoke about their respective children. “It all began as a fierce song and dance competition between the families but ended, as always, as a huge celebration of love. Nick and I were looking forward to the sangeet, another pre-wedding ritual... and to see what each side had put together,” Priyanka stated, praising all the performances from the evening. “Each family telling our stories through song and dance, filled with lots of laughter and love. We were both filled with gratitude for the effort, the love and the laughter and will carry the memories of this special evening for the rest of our lives. It’s an amazing start to a lifetime of togetherness for our families and friends,” she added.

On Saturday, celebrations continued with the Christian wedding with Priyanka in a custom-made Ralph Lauren gown while Nick wore a Purple Label tuxedo. The designer had also dressed the wedding party – bridesmaids, including PeeCee’s manager Anjula Acharia, wore pink and the groomsmen were in black tuxedos. Scheduled to begin at 3 pm on Saturday, the Christian wedding commenced at around 4.30 pm and was officiated by Nick’s father Kevin Jonas Sr. It was followed by a family photo-op and the cake cutting ceremony. According to reports, Priyanka and Nick exchanged Chopard wedding rings and had a traditional first dance to Roberta Flack’s “First Time I Ever Saw Your Face”. “The families got emotional during the ceremony with several members giving speeches. The celebrations ending only around 11.30 pm,” informs a source. The newlyweds exited the venue in a classic red car owned by the hotel. A firecracker show and a lavish dinner, a mix of cuisines, served in a open space was also a part of the schedule.

Welcoming her ‘jiju’ into the Chopra fold, Parineeti shared, “The job of us bridesmaids was to make sure the bride was happy and comfortable at all times. But we did not have to worry about it because Nick promised to do it all his life.”

Sunday began with a Haldi and Choora ceremony at 12.30 pm. Women sported bracelets with ‘NP’ embossed on them while it was broaches with a similar design for the men. White curtains and marigold flowers lined the venue for the ceremony that went on for two hours and was followed by lunch inside a glass-roofed hall. The Indian wedding took place at the same location as the Christian ceremony with the couple exchanging varmalas and the baraat arriving at the venue later in the evening. “There is an after-party scheduled which was expected to go on till the early hours of the morning before the duo, along with their families and guests, bid goodbye to Jodhpur,” the source signs off. 

(clockwise): Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas; On the guestlist: Mukesh Ambani and daughter Isha; Nita Ambani; Shloka Mehta and Akash Ambani

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 2, 2018)

After a whirlwind romance, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are now man and wife. They had a Christian wedding yesterday afternoon. A source says, “Nick’s father, Paul Kevin Jonas Sr, officiated the ceremony, as per Christian norms. PC looked resplendent in a Ralph Lauren gown for the occasion and walked on a bed of flowers before saying ‘I do’. Nickyanka’s family members recreated their first date, in the latter half of the day.”

Keeping in sync with the theme of the nuptials, the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur was decked up in white. “While the sangeet and mehendi ceremonies were on, the organisers had called for over 50 kilos of white flowers for the Christian wedding. Their family and friends raised a toast to them after the groom kissed the bride in front of everyone amidst loud cheers. PC’s mom Madhu, brother Siddharth and cousin Parineeti had some wonderful things to say post the wedding. Nick’s parents and brothers also shared some secrets about the pop singer-songwriter that left everyone in splits.” The contingent then celebrated PC and Nick’s union with a cocktail dinner.

PC-Nick will tie the knot once again today afternoon in a traditional Hindu ceremony at the palace’s Baradari Lawns. While reports have suggested that Priyanka will sport a stylish red ensemble by designer duo Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla for her Hindu wedding ceremony, the presence of Sabyasachi Mukherjee at the nuptials has led to speculation that she may actually sport a traditional outfit designed by the latter. The white floral decorations will be replaced with colourful blooms that have been brought in from different parts of Jodhpur. The mandap will be around 40-feet high with the Mehrangarh Fort as the backdrop. The newly-married jodi will host a lavish party tonight for the guests and will fly to Delhi tomorrow for the first reception, which is scheduled on Tuesday evening.

A WELCOME KIT AND AN NDA
Security has been beefed up at the heritage hotel for Nick and PC’s shaadi. Nita, Isha, Anant and Mukesh Ambani along with Reshma Merchant (Anant’s friend) arrived in Jodhpur on Friday.

Meanwhile, Akash Ambani and fiancée Shloka Mehta along with to-be brother-in-law Anand Piramal landed in the Blue City on Saturday. Each guest arriving at the venue has to show their invitation card to get access to the hotel . Our source added, “They were welcomed amidst the traditional dhol and shehnai with a Rajasthani folk dance performance (kalbelia) and a welcome drink (a glass of champagne), followed by a kit that the lovebirds had arranged. It included the entire itinerary along with a wedding brief for their guests to understand the ceremonies that they were getting ready to witness. The couple handed guests a box of treats (that included Indian spices and eatables) along with a guide that had detailed information about the city and more. As per the Indian custom, they have also gifted them silver coins with the images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. A wishing well has also been set up where the attendees can hang their greetings.” Nick and Priyanka’s initials (NP) have been installed at various places at the venue. None of the guests were aware about the functions before heading to Jodhpur as the hosts had maintained secrecy. To ensure that they don’t face any inconvenience in buying Indian attire at the last moment, pop-up stalls featuring the creations of Punit Balana and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla were set up.

Buzz is that Nickyanka have struck a huge deal with a leading magazine and sold the rights to their wedding pictures at a whopping $2.5 million (around Rs 18 crore), which is why they don’t want any images to be out on social media. We contacted make-up artist Mickey Contractor, who refused to share any information. “I’ve just reached the hotel. I can’t say anything. We have all signed an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement),” he said before disconnecting the call.

FUN AND GAMES DURING MEHENDI
Many family members arrived with the couple on Thursday, whereas their guests including friends and other relatives started coming in only on Friday afternoon. One of the invitees informed, “Madhu Chopra got emotional during the mehendi. Priyanka looked pretty in a pink-and-yellow lehenga for the ceremony. Mehendi Hai Rachne Wali (Zubeidaa, 2001) played in the background as she reached the venue. Nick made a dhamakedaar entry wearing a silver kurta, on Sukhbir’s popular Punjabi chartbuster Tare Gin Gin. Priyanka got an elaborate mehendi done on her hands and feet, and later, the family even asked Nick to find the couple’s initials in it, which he managed to do.”

Apart from the mehendi, the team had planned some fun games, too. “It was Chopra vs Jonas — a battle royal between the two families. Parineeti hosted the event and there were several games lined up including cricket,” adds our informer.

BAND, BAAJA, SANGEET
While the mehendi was held on Friday morning, the gang was ready to rock the sangeet in the evening. “The theme was black, gold and silver, so everyone turned up in their shiniest best. The functions kicked off with a group of Rajasthani dancers performing their traditional dance form for the guests. Post that, Nickyanka walked in together and were seated on a pedestal, like a king and queen. Along with Priyanka, Nick’s mother Denise Miller-Jonas, to-be sister-in-law Sophie Turner and the ladies from his immediate family, sported saris. Nick donned a bandhgala and the men from his side also opted for Indian wear.”

The evening featured several performances from both the families narrating the couple’s love story. “Nick had prepared an entire act on his beloved’s chartbuster tracks including Tune Maari Entriyaan and Gallan Goodiyan. PC took to the stage to groove to Desi Girl. Mommy Madhu and sister Parineeti also joined her later for another song. The Jonas’ too weren’t behind. The family put up a stunning act for the couple.”

A VARIETY OF FOOD ITEMS
The hosts have ensured that the guests get a taste of various cuisines during the ceremonies. “There was a mix of Indian, Rajasthani and Mughlai dishes at the table. There was Chinese and continental food, too. For the western wedding and dinner, chefs were flown down from Goa. There were several coastal delicacies on the platter, along with Indian and continental fare. While the dishes kept changing, one thing remained the same — the food was served in silverware,” our source tells us.


(clockwise): Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas; Umaid Bhawan Palace decked up for PC-Nick wedding; and The couple’s kits for their guests

Like most Indian weddings, the sangeet was full of Bollywood numbers, including many songs from Priyanka’s movies, and friendly banter between the groom and bride’s sides
Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; December 2, 2018)

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ wedding celebrations in Jodhpur started with mehendi and sangeet functions on Friday at Umaid Bhawan Palace. The sangeet ceremony was as filmi as you would expect. Priyanka wore a shimmery sari for the function and made an entry with her mom, Madhu Chopra, while dancing to her song Ram Chahe Leela Chahe. Her mother, too, danced with her for a while and then left the stage. It was then followed by the bride’s next performance on Desi Girl. She was joined by her cousin Parineeti Chopra as well as close friend Isha Ambani, along with the other bridesmaids. Together, they danced on another Priyanka song, Gallan Goodiyaan.

Some of the guests who arrived at Jodhpur on Friday to be a part of the wedding were Arpita Khan, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Nick Jonas’ younger brother Frankie Jonas and Mukesh Ambani with his family. The Ambanis were the last guests to arrive (at around 10 pm) and sources say they were in the city for just a couple of hours to be a part of the sangeet.

PEACOCK-THEMED DECOR
As per sources, the decor of the sangeet was based on the peacock theme, with shades of black and gold. From the reception till the sangeet venue, Kalbeliya dancers and attendants dressed up in traditional Rajasthani attire, holding flambeaus welcomed the guests.

The mehendi took place at 12.30 in the afternoon on the same day, in a smaller garden area. In keeping with the theme of the sangeet, the tables were set with dark linen that matched the shimmery table centerpieces. The garden area was also decorated with beautiful emerald green and blue faux peacock feathers and was lit up with golden lights. Informs a source, “Once everyone was ready, they settled down and the evening kick-started with a performance by a Punjabi band. Interestingly, they first played some rousing English music. Then, Anusha Dandekar and a friend from Nick’s side took over the mic as hosts for the evening.” The sangeet ceremony was choreographed by Ganesh Hegde. Singer Manasi Scott was also one of the performers.

A LITTLE NOK-JHONK
Like in most Indian weddings, PeeCee-Nick’s sangeet also saw its share of leg-pulling and nok-jhonk between the two sides, and that set the mood for what lay ahead. Adds the source, “The entire evening was like a competition between the girl and boy’s side. They were pulling each other’s leg and asking questions like, “Hey, I can pronounce your name, can you pronounce mine?” and “Can you do this Bollywood thumka?”

Post this, Priyanka’s girl gang — Parineeti, Quantico co-star Yasmine Al Masri and others — enacted her entire life story, how Priyanka started her career, her and Nick’s love story and how he proposed to her. Parineeti played her cousin in the skit. Even the mothers of the couple played a huge part to make the evening extra special. Says the source, “There was a lovely slideshow featuring childhood pictures of Nick and Priyanka. Nick and Priyanka’s mothers shared their heartfelt thoughts on what their children meant to them. They spoke about how they both were, as kids, their growing up years and how lucky they were to be their parents. It was an emotional moment for everyone.” Jaipur-based designer Punit Balana did the mehendi and sangeet outfits of the baraatis, while Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla reportedly designed the clothes of the baraatis for the wedding.

DHAMAAL ON THE DANCE FLOOR
After the emotional high, the music got everyone grooving. “They first played romantic soundtracks from Beauty And The Beast and Titanic. There were special performances by senior members from Priyanka’s side. The moment Galla Goodiyaan started playing, the couple pulled in the rest of their family members to dance to the track,” said the source. Later, there was a flower shower and a display of fireworks. Guests then went on to enjoy a lavish buffet served in antique silverware.

— With inputs from Neha Choudhary and Divya Kaushik

Priyanka Chopra to dive headlong into work days after her wedding; to attend her production Pahuna's screening on Dec 7 with Nick Jonas
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; November 27, 2018)

Even as wedding bells are set to ring in the Chopra household, there's little respite from work for Priyanka and mother Madhu. Even as the actor prepares for her upcoming nuptials, set to take place between November 30 and December 2, with fiancé Nick Jonas, mid-day has it that she will jump straight into work, days after the ceremonies wrap up.

PeeCee has apparently agreed to be part of the première of her production venture, Pahuna, set to take place on December 7 in Sikkim. The film's director Pakhi Tyrewala confirms the news to mid-day stating, "The première was scheduled before her marriage dates were finalised. She could have altered the dates, but she and her mother decided to attend it. This reflects their professionalism." A source reveals that Chopra is even likely to invite Jonas for the event.

Even as PeeCee continues to make waves across the globe, Tyrewala has her mother to credit for the actor's success. "I have spent time with Dr Chopra. She is a mother and a producer, and was [deeply] involved in the project. Even though there are only a few days left for the wedding celebrations [to begin], if I message her today, I still get a response within five minutes."

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 24, 2018)

After having previously enhanced the working conditions of the female crew in their company, Purple Pebbles, Priyanka Chopra and mother Madhu have taken a step further to ensure a healthy working environment for children.

Collaborating with kids on their upcoming Sikkimese film, Pahuna, the mother-daughter duo has put in place a no-smoking and no-alcohol policy. Dr Madhu Chopra tells mid-day, "Since the film features children as the protagonists, we put this rule in place to prevent passive smoking, which would have adverse health effects. We wanted to have a professional and positive environment, where they felt secure and cared for."

Chopra adds that the new regulations did not inspire any backlash. "None of my cast or crew members gave us any hassle. I was blessed to have an accepting and understanding crew who adapted to a child-friendly environment without any apparent discontent."

In the past, the duo had introduced flexible working hours for mothers in their crew, apart from offering benefits during maternity leaves. They also expressed their desire to create an in-house creche.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 20, 2018)

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are all set to tie the knot on December 2 at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. However, many people are unaware that although they publicly accepted their relationship only this year, they have been seeing each other since 2017.

A close friend of PC tells us, “The duo actually took a bit of time to know each other after they walked the red carpet at last year’s Met Gala. They stayed in touch and their relationship got serious only after they dated for a few months.”

Now, for one of the pre-wedding ceremonies, the jodi plans to recreate their first official date. “Both Priyanka and Nick wanted to start the new journey of their lives with a fond memory. They want it exactly the way it was — from the ambience to the food and the setting. While the couple will solemnise their marriage on December 2 in Jodhpur, before one of the other ceremonies (mehendi or sangeet), they will go on a similar date. Nickyanka (as they are popularly known) will also sport the same outfits that they had worn for the occasion,” adds another source.

Preparations for their D-Day are on in full swing in Jodhpur, with the Bajirao Mastani actress’ mother, Madhu Chopra, overseeing every detail. The haldi, mehendi and sangeet are scheduled from November 29 at the Mehrangarh Fort.

Ranjit Kumar (BOMBAY TIMES; November 19, 2018)

A lazy winter morning, a sleeping Farhan Akhtar being roused by Priyanka Chopra, under a mosquito net on the romantic roofs of Purani Dilli — this was the scene being played out in Chandni Chowk’s Kabaadi Market as the two actors shot for The Sky Is Pink on Saturday. The film also stars Zaira Wasim and is directed by Shonali Bose. PC and Farhan were shooting in Chandni Chowk for several days, and on Saturday, Priyanka’s mom joined her from Jodhpur, where she was prepping for her daughter’s wedding to Nick Jonas on December 1. The mother-daughter duo left for Paris soon after.

The two actors haven’t been immune to Purani Dilli’s charms while shooting there, and Priyanka has been seen ordering her daily chaat fix from the bylanes’ famous chaat vendors; while for Farhan, regular deliveries are carried out from Kareem’s. Also, due to the crowded location, no vanity vans have been stationed in the area.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 22, 2018)

It’s wedding bells for Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. The couple announced their big engagement with a roka and an after-party last week at the former’s Juhu residence. The actress-singer’s mom, Madhu Chopra, is glad that her daughter will finally settle down. She tells After Hrs, “Priyanka has always been ambitious about her career and I was just supporting her and wishing the best for her, as a mother. I used to pester her, but in the last two-three years, I had stopped. I had given up. Yeh sab cheez ka ek time hota hai, it’s all destiny.”

She goes on to say that she was happy when Priyanka told her that she wanted to get engaged. She recalls, “I told her that I want to meet Nick’s family.”

‘THE JONASES ARE NICE PEOPLE’
The American pop star had mummy Denise Miller-Jonas and papa Paul Kevin Jonas by his side, during the rituals. “Nick enjoyed the prayers during the puja,” Madhu laughs before adding, “It was a new thing for him and he took it seriously. He followed what our panditji said, and chanted the Sanskrit mantras accurately. Both he and his parents did it beautifully. They are nice people.”

‘I WANT A TRADITIONAL INDIAN WEDDING’
She mentions that during the puja, she got ‘emotional’ while remembering her late husband, Ashok Chopra, who always wanted to see Priyanka tie the knot. “My daughter knew I wanted a roka before the marriage, so she never said ‘no’. I haven’t forced any of my thoughts on her, but I definitely want a traditional Indian wedding. That’s my only wish. I started the roka with a puja, which is important for me. I’m a modern mother but at heart, I’m quite conservative,” smiles Madhu.

‘NICK IS CALM AND MATURED’
When Nick had visited Mumbai for the first time to meet PC’s family, Mommy Chopra had told After Hrs that it was ‘too early to form an opinion’ about him. Now, she avers, “I always trust Priyanka’s judgment; she’s not impulsive. She gave it a lot of thought and when she decided on something, I was sure it would be good.” She’s all praises for her 25-year-old would-be son-in-law and mentions, “Nick is calm and mature. He’s a wonderful person and everyone in the family just loves him. He’s so polite and respectful towards elders. What more can a mother want!”

Ever since the news of the engagement broke out, there have been several speculations about when and where the couple will tie the knot, but Chopra senior asserts she has ‘no idea about it’. “They haven’t decided on a wedding date yet. It’s too soon. These are just baseless rumours. Both of them have work commitments right now which they need to finish. They will take some time to decide where they want it and when they want it,” she signs off.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 20, 2018)

The revelry at Priyanka Chopra’s Juhu residence continued late into Saturday, the day she officially got engaged to American singer-songwriter Nick Jonas. After the couple’s Punjabi-style roka ceremony and Ganesh puja, it was time for their families and friends to let their hair down at a bash arranged to raise a toast to the newly engaged duo.

A source close to the actress shares, “PeeCee and her mother Madhu personally looked into all the arrangements, with the help of a ceremony planner. Nick’s mother was wearing Indian outfits for both the functions, which were chosen by Priyanka. She made it a point to see that her parents-in-law and Nick were comfortable at home, in the presence of her family and fraternity friends.”

At the party, Priyanka’s guest list included people she’s known to be close to. Filmmakers like Sidharth Roy Kapur, Ronnie Screwvala, Sidharth Anand, Vishal Bhardwaj and Sanjay Leela Bhansali attended the bash and wished the couple on their big day. Parineeti Chopra, who delivered an emotional speech at the roka, and PeeCee’s younger brother Sidharth attended to the guests.

Alia Bhatt, Arpita Khan Sharma, Aayush Sharma, Shrishti Behl Arya, Anusha Dandekar and Isha Ambani were seen hanging around with Nick and Priyanka. Chef Chinu Vaze, known to given Indian delicacies a foreign twist, was in-charge of the kitchen, supervised by PeeCee’s brother.

DJ Khushi Soni, who played at Pharrell Williams and Ranveer Singh’s Holi bash earlier this year, was in charge of the music at this party, too. The playlist included Nick and PeeCee’s chartbusters among other dance hits. “The mood at the party was very relaxed and casual. Everyone was dancing and making merry. Nick was busy taking videos with his ladylove while they were on the dance floor with her friends, all of whom have already warmed up to him,” says a guest who attended the bash.

While a wedding date is yet to be finalised, preparations for the big day have already kicked in. At the time of going to press, Nick and his parents were in India and were expected to head back to the USA.


Mukesh and Nita Ambani with their daughter Isha


Denise Jonas and Madhu Chopra




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DJ Khushi, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' engagement after-party DJ Khushi and friends on what happened in the year's biggest engagement
Mohar Basu and Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 20, 2018)

It was a heart-warming morning that cinephiles woke up to in the weekend-gone-by, as pictures of Priyanka Chopra's roka ceremony filled their social media news feeds on Saturday.

Clad in a yellow Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla suit, Bollywood's coveted actor sealed her relationship with American musician Nick Jonas in an intimate ceremony. And while it was only family in attendance to witness the celebration, the real party commenced at night at PC's Juhu home.

Having hired DJ Khushi for her big night, the actor, we learn, looked happy as she danced the night away. The DJ tells mid-day, "I was conscious about giving her celebrated track, Desi Girl, a miss, because I didn't want PC and Nick to become exhibits at their own party. I wanted them to have a good time."

On the play list were songs like Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani and Bom-Diggy. To appease the music sensibilities of the American, a fair share of Western tracks, particularly those of Cardi B and Drake, also got the guests dancing. "Nick Jonas's spirit is more Indian than American. He let his lady lead the way throughout the celebrations. The duo's sense of music is similar."

A 15-kilo cake from Tier Nom Patisserie was ordered to serve the 30-odd guests. A source who attended the celebration says, "Everybody wants to know when they'll get married. It would be soon, but given her schedule, and Nick's tours, it will take effort to arrive on a date. It will be after she wraps up The Sky Is Pink, for which she starts filming next week."

While some suggested a year-end date is being considered for her wedding, other stated that they would tie the knot on Jonas's birthday on September 16. A few in the know also said the couple is eyeing an international location to exchange vows. Yesterday, the actor — along with mother Madhu Chopra, and Jonas's parents Denise Miller-Jonas and Kevin Jonas Sr — was spotted at Andheri's St Catherine Orphan Home. It is heard they made a sizeable donation.




Mushtaq Shiekh, Alia Bhatt and Arpita Khan Sharma at the engagement party on Saturday evening


Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra with Kevin Jonas Sr. and Madhu Chopra. Pic/Instagram, Yogen Shah

MUMBAI MIRROR (August 17, 2018)

Priyanka Chopra who was flaunting her ring at Manish Malhotra’s house party on Tuesday, is one step away from announcing that Nick Jonas and she are engaged. While her 25-year-old pop singer beau let it slip when he accepted congratulations from a fan at an event in the US recently, PeeCee has been tight-lipped on the subject, surreptitiously slipping the engagement ring off her finger while arrivng in India from Singalore last week.

Now, buzz is, in keeping with the desi girl’s wishes, Nick and his parivaar are flying down to Mumbai this weekend for a roka ceremony which will be hosted by Priyanka’s mother, Madhu Chopra, and brother Siddharth. Nick was in India in June. He stayed at his fiancee’s Juhu bungalow and met her friends before taking off with her to Goa for a vacation. The couple returned to Mumbai to attend the pre-engagement ceremony of Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta before heading back to LA. And while PeeCee had spent some time with Nick, his brother Joe and his fiancee, Sophie Turner during the Fourth of July weekend, this is the first time that the two families will be meeting and mingling with Bollywood in attendance.

While the gossip goes that the wedding is not too far away, and Nick has said he wants kids soon, Priyanka hasn’t quit on her first love yet. She has begun filming Shonali Bose’s The Sky is Pink with Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the actress paid a surprise visit to her Bajirao Mastani director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali. After the release of their 2015 historical romance, there’s been talk of the two collaborating on another project, the biopic of Gangubai Kothewali. Speculation was rife that after exiting Salman Khan’s Bharat, she had left SLB in a lurch too but he has clarified that they had never discussed the project. So, why the visit? Maybe she was just there to invite Bhansali to her big day?

The actress’ decision to walk out of Bharat has sparked off rumours of her wedding in October. Apparently, she’s still a part of another project, which goes on floors in August
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 28, 2018)

Bollywood woke up to the news that Priyanka Chopra has opted out of Salman Khan’s upcoming film, Bharat. Yesterday, the film’s director, Ali Abbas Zafar, posted a cryptic tweet on social media, which hinted that there is something personal that seems to have driven the actress to exit the project that has already gone on floors. Priyanka was expected to join the cast in a few days to shoot a lavish Holi song, but her plans have changed. In his tweet, Ali wrote, “Yes Priyanka Chopra is no more a part of @Bharat_TheFilm & and the reason is very very special, she told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for her ... Team Bharat wishes @priyankachopra loads of love & happiness for life.” (sic) If you read between the lines, the message is pretty clear.

Reportedly, Priyanka and Nick are already engaged and plan to exchange vows in October this year. The 25-year-old singer apparently popped the question while celebrating Priyanka’s birthday a few days ago in London, with a ring he picked from a popular store in the English capital.

The couple’s whirlwind romance has been making headlines for the past few months. Prior to rumours of their engagement, Priyanka made a trip to India with Nick, during which he stayed with her at her Juhu home. The American singer spent time with her family, mingled with her Bollywood friends and also attended a highprofile engagement ceremony in the city along with PeeCee. Before the two landed in India, Priyanka was seen hanging around with Nick’s family, and had also attended his cousin’s wedding with him in the US.

Rumours are afloat that Priyanka has already chosen a wedding gown for the big day. We reached out to Ali Abbas Zafar, Priyanka’s mother Madhu Chopra and the actress’ spokesperson, but we didn’t get a response till the time of going to press.

While Priyanka has indeed opted out of Bharat, buzz is that she will be a part of Shonali Bose’s next with Farhan Akhtar. A behind-the-scenes prep video featuring the actress was doing the rounds of social media, just around the time when the news of her walking out of Bharat made headlines. While Shonali and the film’s producer Siddharth Roy Kapur remained unavailable for a comment, a source close to the project told us, “Priyanka will start shooting her portions for the film from August 8. She’s pretty much a part of the project right now and she hasn’t hinted at an exit yet.”

On her 36th birthday, Priyanka Chopra formulates new set of benefits, including flexible business hours and creche, for female workforce in her production house
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 18, 2018)

In an industry that remains largely male-dominated, Priyanka Chopra is triggering a change of sorts with small but significant steps. After introducing pay parity to create a gender-neutral workforce earlier this year, the actor, on her birthday today, is putting into effect a new set of benefits for the female employees of her studio, Purple Pebble Productions.

Having established herself as a force to reckon with in her field, Priyanka firmly believes that women should not have to compromise on their life choices to achieve professional success. It was this belief that has led her to introduce flexible timings for working mothers and special benefits during maternity leave.

Priyanka's mother and business partner Dr Madhu Chopra says, "Since 80 per cent of our female staff is married, we had to keep their interests in mind. The idea was simple — why should women's life choices become professional hurdles? The policy of flexible timings for mothers was set in place by Priyanka, but fine-tuned by senior members of our company."

Madhu says it is the fierce feminist in Priyanka that makes her want to create an environment where women feel "safe and loved". She adds that besides providing them maternity leave, the company also offers monetary assistance. "We give 12 weeks' maternity leave and financial assistance for care," she says, adding that they are working towards developing an in-house crèche for their employees. Ask her if men enjoy similar benefits and she says, "That's the rule of gender parity. One of our marketing executives took paternity leave of four weeks."