Actress and UN human rights equality activist Celina Jaitly opens up in the wake of Priyanka Chopra being accused of encouraging nuclear war through her tweet. She also talks about her army background and return to films
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 25, 2019)

You haven’t been in the public eye for a while now. What have you been up to?
I have been through massive ups and downs in the last three years, but I guess that’s life. But now, I am looking forward to the release of my next film — Season’s Greetings, which is tribute to filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh. I tragically lost both my parents last year and the script of this film came along at a time when I was going through an emotional crisis. It helped me sail through the turbulent waters. It’s also special because, this was the first time that I got to shoot a film in Kolkata, a city that I consider my hometown. It brought back a lot of memories. I have spent my childhood all around India, but I spent considerable amount of time in Kolkata owing to the fact that my father was posted there. Kolkata reminds me of my struggling days, as I started off my modelling career there. At heart, I am a Bengali, and I hope the people of the city adopt me as one of them. I will always be a Kolkata girl.

Priyanka Chopra has been associated with UNICEF for over a decade now. Pakistan’s Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari sent a letter to UN on August 20, seeking her removal as their Goodwill Ambassador. She was accused of ‘encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan’, by a Pakistani-American influencer who was present at a beauty event in Los Angeles, where PC was invited as a guest. She called Priyanka a hypocrite and claimed that an old tweet of the actress supported the Indian Army and thus, encouraged war. What’s your take on this issue?
Priyanka’s simple tribute to the Armed Forces was completely blown out of proportion by a wannabe influencer. Celebrating our Armed Forces does not mean we are promoting nuclear war! Do you expect us to stop saying Jai Hind or dismiss the contribution of generations of our Armed Forces? This whole thing was unfair to Priyanka. I think it was done to evoke a hyper reaction from her, but she handled it with so much grace and dignity. First and foremost, we are Indians. Priyanka’s parents have served as doctors in the Armed Forces and four generations of my family have been in the Army. We are proud citizens of this country who stand united behind our armed forces. This does not mean we are propagating nuclear war! We are eternally grateful to the valiant services of our Armed Forces in keeping us safe and secure. India has always been a global ambassador of peace.

Do you think this was an attempt by a person to grab eyeballs and attention on social media by targeting a celebrity?
A dignified celebration of our Armed Forces’ dedication and selfless service does not mean in any way that one is encouraging nukes. Anyone who misconstrues the intent needs a reality check. This is just an insinuation by a wannabe instagrammer who wanted to increase her followers. Celebrities are often attacked on social media on baseless grounds to garner publicity. Voicing your opinion at a cosmetic event at a UN ambassador who talks about human rights does not make you a propagator of peace. You cannot accuse someone of encouraging nuclear war only because they respect their Armed Forces! Every patriot does that. There is not an iota of doubt that in order to achieve sustainable growth and development all over the world, we need to prioritise peace over war. Peace is often defined as the absence of violence, conflict, hostility and war. We can always propagate peace, but peace is not merely the absence of violence, but also vanquishing of oppression and terrorism if needed. I hate to say this, but sometimes war is needed to sustain peace... it goes both ways. Peace also comes at a cost. There is no history of continued peace in the world unless war intervened to maintain that peace. Even a soldier does not want war, but he has to go and defend his country.

Last year, in a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court scrapped Section 377 of the IPC. You are a strong advocate of the LGBTQIA rights. Hereon, where do you see things heading?
Many people from the LGBTQIA community have played an important role in my life. I started my career at 16 and all through these years, they have had a strong impact on me. In fact, they had such a strong influence on me that it made me stand up for what is right even before I joined the UN to support this movement of equal rights. Activism is a long process as changing mindsets is not easy. We have come a long way as we have finally overthrown an archaic law.

You married Austrian hotelier Peter Haag in 2011. How easy or tough was it initially to embrace the cultural differences?
I believe that marriage in itself is a work in progress, no matter who you are married to or which culture you are married into. I was very fortunate that my husband is an expatriate who came from a family of expats. He is openminded and was keen to embrace our Indian culture. Embracing each other’s culture is crucial in a cross-cultural marriage. Peter has taken a liking to all the crazy things I do in India. He likes street food like vada pav and paani puri. I love cooking and over the years, I have embraced cooking Austrian food in a massive way. He is Austrian, I am Indian and we have lived in places like Dubai and Singapore, and now, we are back in Europe for a while. Travel helps you evolve so much as a human being. Your children grow up as global citizens, which is fascinating because you see them imbibe different traditions and cultures. As an actor you think that you have seen it all and done it all. But no, the truth is that you haven’t. Once you live in different parts of the world, you grow by leaps and bounds.

It must be interesting to see your kids soaking in both the cultures. Moving your base from place to place has its challenges, but on the other hand, it could amount to life changing experiences for them. Do you agree?
Our kids are multilingual. Peter speaks with them in German and I speak to them in Bengali, Hindi and English. Coming from an army background, a lot of Hinglish was spoken at home. So yes, they definitely understand and speak Hindi, but not too fluently, as they have been studying in a German medium school. But the good thing is that, they have understanding of both our cultures. They look forward to festivals like Diwali and Holi. They ask for mithai after having a perfect German meal. It’s funny to overhear their conversations. The twins tell their friends from Austria, China and Japan what a paani puri is all about. They say, “It’s a ball filled with spicy water”.

DNA (May 26, 2019)

After walking the red carpet at uber glam events such as Met Gala and the Cannes Film Festival, Priyanka Chopra Jonas had a diametrically opposite visit in Ethiopia to raise awareness about UNICEF. As its Goodwill Ambassador, PCJ walked into classrooms at the Bambasi refugee camp, which was filled with children who have fled their countries due to conflict and humanitarian crises.

There, the actress met eight-year-old Zulfa Ata Ey, one of 6,000 students registered at the Bambasi Refugee Primary School. Talking about the grade-two pupil in the overcrowded class, Priyanka said, “Zulfa is just one of the so many students I met who are eager to be in school.” She added, “It was amazing to walk into classrooms packed with students eager to learn. So long as children have access to education, there is hope. UNICEF is supporting the government in training teachers, supplying books, and building schools as well as classrooms so that all children enjoy their right to education, no matter who they are or what their migration status is.” Like many refugee schools in Ethiopia, Bambasi has a severe shortage of classrooms, teachers and textbooks.

“Children uprooted from their homes by war and disaster endure the most disruption to their lives. They miss out on education, healthcare and stability, which makes them extremely vulnerable to violence, abuse or exploitation,” Priyanka stated about her visit to Ethiopia, which is home to 9,00,000 refugees — the second highest in Africa — who were displaced from their homes in Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Sudan and Yemen. Many crossed borders in search of peace or a better life, facing dangers and discrimination along the way.

At Hitsats and Adi-Harush camps, schools, health centres and other essential services are integrated and serve both Eritrean refugees and Ethiopian nationals. “These camps sit very closely to the neighbouring “host” Ethiopian community,” said PCJ, adding, “Like their refugee peers, Ethiopians in these communities also struggle with poverty and limited resources. Having programmes available for both communities brings equal opportunities to all the children here — education, nutrition and health services — things every single child needs to survive and thrive.”

Apart from meeting the kids in classrooms, Priyanka also watched a football match in which Ethiopian and Eritrean players participated. The captains of the two football teams explained that when the first refugees from the latter region crossed the border, they were dismissive towards each other and cautioned not to interact with one another. Through time, shared schools, and a better understanding that both have the same needs, they now live closely, go to school and play together, as they both share a love of football.

At the Adi-Harush camp, Priyanka visited a government-run nutrition screening centre and nearby MayTsebri Hospital, both of which service refugees as well as members of the host communities. Here, babies have access to treatment for malnutrition and mothers receive much-needed healthcare.

“What I saw in Ethiopia is the capacity of human beings to empathise with and alleviate human suffering,” said the Quantico actress. “It is a shining example of what we — individuals, communities and governments — can do to help those who have been displaced by conflict and humanitarian disasters by allowing an open-door policy to refugees and providing protection to those seeking asylum in the country,” she concluded.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 20, 2019)

For fans on social media, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been carefully curating a look-book of sensual and loved up moments with hubby Nick Jonas at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. But, as soon as the merriments wrapped up, following a dinner with Caroline Scheufele, co-president of luxury watch brand Chopard, it was back to business for the actor.

Chopra jetted off from Cannes to Ethiopia to fulfil her UNICEF commitment, this time taking further the cause of educating less-privileged children, particularly those of refugees. A source close to the actor says, "Priyanka's visit will focus on UNICEF's effort to provide access to education for children on the move, in particular, the kids of refugees. She aims to help raise global awareness about the situation. After a previous visit to Zimbabwe, where she called for increased awareness and support for child victims of sexual violence, she will now interact with girls from gender clubs to discuss their work, as they empower other girls. Following the four-day trip, she will return to New York."

Chopra's spokesperson confirmed the news.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; February 16, 2019)

Madhuri Dixit-Nene is amused that every time she has a movie up for release, it’s termed as her comeback. She laughs, “I think people should invent some new word now.” However, after a 35-year-long career (her first film Abodh released in 1984), she does feel that a new innings begins with Total Dhamaal. Whether it’s content or the kinds of roles written for women, the actress feels that there’s more scope to experiment today and she’s not sticking to any formula. She has a madcap comic caper like Total Dhamaal lined up, followed by a more emotional and layered Kalank this year. Apart from this, the 51-year-old is in talks with prominent filmmakers for a few other projects. In a freewheeling chat, the Padma Shri recipient discusses about writers emerging as the true game-changers in Bollywood and sharing screen space with her former co-stars once again. Excerpts...

Today, many of the ’90s actresses are playing prominent parts in movies. This wasn’t the case earlier... 
You need to reinvent yourself with the times. Now, we have more opportunities than what women had in the ’70s. There are so many diverse mediums today — whether it’s social media, TV or the digital platform — through which you can keep yourself busy. There’s a lot that an actor can do, other than just working in films. It also gives you opportunities to not just stick to your profession, but also utilise it to do other things that are relevant. Like women and children are subjects I feel strongly about, so I work on that with UNICEF. I have made proper use of the myriad platforms.

The old pairings too are back — Anil Kapoor is working with you, Juhi Chawla and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Sanjay Dutt will also share screen space with you and Manisha Koirala...
Everything has changed — from the writing to the audience. They don’t mind seeing married heroines or actors with kids. Nobody cares about all that anymore — they just want to see good films. If you act well and look good, they will appreciate it. Anil ji is working with all his heroines from the ’90s.  The audience is more exposed to OTT platforms today, so you are watching eclectic roles, movies and series. Actresses of different ages are playing diverse roles. And people have started accepting that as they have matured.

Male superstars have been traditionally paired opposite younger heroines. But do you think they are no longer hesitant of being paired with actresses they started with?
It’s not the actors who are making it possible for us. I believe it’s the writers who are making all the difference. I would give them the credit because they are creating these roles where women are portrayed in not just the stereotypical mother and sister characters. Whether you’re a mother or not, it doesn’t matter, you can still be a professional. In Tumhari Sulu (2017), Vidya Balan’s character becomes an RJ and does something out of the box for the family. She’s enjoying it and happy with it. Writing these roles have brought in a huge change for sure.

Total Dhamaal brings you with a lot of your former co-stars. Barring Riteish Deshmukh, you’ve worked with almost everyone...
It’s a funny film. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to shoot Total Dhamaal. The team used to crack me up even more in-between shots, than what you’ll see in the film. This is a crazy bunch who is always ready with one-liners. Everyone is so entertaining and they are nice people. I have worked with most of them — Riteish (Deshmukh), Sanjay Mishra ji and Pitobash are the only ones I had not worked with before. It was a blast shooting with everyone. This is one film which I have really enjoyed working on.

Did the reunion prompt you in a way to give your nod to the film?
Yes, of course. I have done three films with Indu ji (Indra Kumar). I’ll be working with Anil ji after Pukar (2000) and Ajay Devgn after Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (2001). It’s a multi-starrer and you’re comfortable with the fact. You know it’s not going to be just you on the screen from start to end. But it’s a dhamaal film (laughs). I heard the script, I loved it and I did it.

As compared to Dedh Ishqiya (2014) and Gulaab Gang (2014), Dhamaal is lighter and more commercial. Was it a conscious move?
I did Dedh Ishqiya because it had a nice angle and the story was written cleverly. I did Gulaab Gang as it was about women empowerment. It was about a woman who took matters into her own hands and executed plans. So, it gave me a chance to do a lot of fights and stunts myself. That was wonderful for me. Then, there was the Marathi film Bucket List (2018), which was a sweet film. Now with Total Dhamaal, it’s a homecoming for me as I’ve worked with almost the entire team. Plus, it’s a comedy which I’m doing after a long time. I have done more serious movies in my career, so this gave me a different opportunity. Kalank is again a subdued, nuanced period film. So I thought it would be a nice collage.

Do you think comedy films in Bollywood are still underrated?
Not at all. Look at Badhaai Ho (2018), the sense of comedy in a film which deals about a rather serious topic of a mother getting pregnant in her 50s is outstanding. The way they have dealt with the situation in the film is extremely funny. Even Tumhari Sulu was a lovely script. There was a sense of humour attached to everything that was happening. Yes, Total Dhamaal is more commercial, it’s like an out-and-out comedy entertainer. This genre is also very ’90s — right from the scenes to the music and adventure mixed into one plot.

‘I think I’ve regressed!’ laughs Priyanka Chopra, sitting in a Juhu hotel. Startling for an actor at the top of her game. ‘I’ve become a bit more childlike... at a point where I’m really enjoying life,’ explains the 36-year-old who’s earned a spot under the Hollywood sun and just tied the knot with singer Nick Jonas. Piggy Chops talks to Mohua Das about turning star power into social good
Mohua Das (THE TIMES OF INDIA; December 2, 2018)

You’ve been associated with UNICEF for over a decade, advocating girl rights and child protection. You also met Rohingya kids in Bangladesh recently. What are your key focus areas?
I just feel that a child is a child is a child and we have to focus on the fact that the future of the world depends on them no matter where they come from, what their background is or what their circumstances are. If those children are not provided with education, food or the ability to have a decent life, if they feel the world has ignored them when they grow up as adults, they won’t care about the world. And that’ll lead to violence, terrorism. We have to think of the bigger picture and let compassion lead us instead of bigotry or divisions. You don’t have to empty your wallet or take a year off from your life for philanthropy. If everyone takes their individual social responsibility and does that much, it’ll be enough for change.

Anything that distresses you most about the state of girls and child rights in the country?
Of course, things upset me but we have to understand that India is a different beast. Look at the population we’re dealing with or the cultural mindset. We’re a 5,000-year-old civilisation and we’ve been told since then that ‘ladki paraya dhan hoti hai’. When does she belong to herself ? Is she only meant to take care of her home and have children? Nothing wrong with doing that but the dreams and aspirations of girls need to be given importance. We can see conversations happening and positive change even in the government. The Beti Bachao Abhiyan is helping girl children get education and power but what needs to happen is for society to change its mindset. They need to be okay with girls being ambitious.

India’s #MeToo cries were a watershed moment and you were among the first to come out in support of Tanusree Dutta. Yet, not many Bollywood A-listers have spoken out…
Why does the buck only stop at Bollywood? Does #MeToo only exist in this industry? You don’t think there are other women who exist in the country? Do you think the only women who talked about it in the US, if you’re comparing, were actors? They were real women with real issues. Everything that we do starts and stops at Bollywood and five actresses so that you can sell papers. Nothing happens in your (media) industry? Why aren’t we talking about your colleagues? Or that hospital in which a nurse was abused? Or girls who don’t have the ability to sell your newspapers? That’s why the #MeToo movement is fizzling out, because other women are not being given that kind of importance.

As an entrepreneur who’s taken risks with producing regional films, tech investments in a coding education company and a dating app, how is it being a woman at the helm of these male-dominated sectors?
I think it has to do with upbringing. I was raised by my parents to be whatever I want to be. I was told by my parents ‘you should have an opinion’; ‘don’t be afraid of going against the grain’. Most Indian girls are told to be invisible, don’t talk too loudly or wear something that will stand out, be quiet and timid. Society needs to empower girls to have a voice. We’ve always had a voice but no one wanted to listen to us. Now they’re listening to us because our voices are getting louder. We have social media, people talk about it and, hence, a revolution.

You’ve also been at the receiving end online. How do you tame the social media beast?
We live in a democracy and everyone has a right to have a voice but trolls are idiots who sit behind the anonymity of a computer. I’ve been trolled and people have said the worst things on the simplest of posts. But I focus on the positivity I get from fans and loved ones. There are vices and virtues to everything, and social media gives us power to connect with billions of people in seconds, convince them to join a movement, create a revolution and use it for social good. So, who cares about what some random person in the middle of the night thinks about your posts.

You’ve managed to knock down cultural barriers and stereotypes about Indians in Hollywood. What did you do differently?
I don’t know what I did differently but I know that I was very authentic to myself. I didn’t go to the US with a chip on my shoulder. I wasn’t entitled even though I’d been an actor in India for 15 years. I didn’t go to another country expecting people to know me. I worked from the bottom up again and restarted my career completely. And I don’t think there’s any free lunch in the world. There’s nothing that can replace hard work. 

BOMBAY TIMES (November 21, 2018)

Indian-American actress Emily Shah has joined the cast of the family drama, Jungle Cry. The former Miss New Jersey, who is also the youngest person to hold the title, will be seen sharing screen space with Abhay Deol, Stewart Wright (Doctor Who), Julian Lewis Jones (Invictus, Bank Job) and Rugby World Cup referee, Nigel Owens. The film also features members of the World Rugby Union, Swansea University and Scarlets, a rugby team that’s close to 150 years old.

Emily recently graduated from California State University in Entertainment Media Management, and has been an assistant director on Fast and Furious 7, Captain America and Run All Night (Liam Neeson). She has also assisted Clint Eastwood on Jersey Boys.

Jungle Cry, directed by Sagar Ballary and produced by Bollywood Hollywood Production, is set in Bhubaneshwar, Wales and London. It’s the true story of the Jungle Crows team — 12 young boys from India’s extreme tribal regions, who played the sport barefoot, and went on to win the coveted U14 Rugby World Cup in England.

Emily says, “It is a great honour to be the lead actress in a film based on a true story. Since my modelling days, I have been supporting UNICEF’s initiative to eradicate polio, so it is only natural to continue to give back to society with this film. The film has received immense support from the World Rugby Union community in Wales and London.”

The film traces the journey of Dr. Samanta from Odisha’s KISS foundation, British diplomat Paul Walsh who was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), the tribal boys and their coach from Bhubaneshwar to Welsh, which is considered to be the capital of Rugby. Jungle Cry is scheduled for a summer 2019 release. 

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 27, 2018)

Two years ago, when Kareena Kapoor Khan was carrying her son, Taimur, she made heads turn with her maternity style. She also gave her inputs for nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar’s book Pregnancy Notes: Before, During & After. Now, as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador from India, the Veere Di Wedding actress is all set to spread awareness about good health among women and children.

Says a source, “According to research, a majority of women, especially in the interiors of India, don’t know the basic dos and don’ts of pregnancy and the first few months post motherhood. So now, as part of the campaign, Kareena will be advising them on how to feed newborn babies and challenge practices that risk their lives as well as that of expecting mothers. She wants to tell everyone to take care of their girl child as female infanticide is a serious issue, too.”

Bebo will soon travel to most of the tier II cities. “She will educate women about what safety measures they should take in the first six months post pregnancy. She will also deliver speeches on the kind of nutrition and diet they should follow,” adds the source. We hear that the actress is planning to visit one city every two months. Kareena says, “It is possible to keep more babies alive and healthy. The government is doing everything it can to ensure adequate service delivery. However, it’s not only about the administration doing its bit but also about civil society taking relevant and collective action.”

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

Days after attending the nuptials of friend Meghan Markle as she tied the knot with Prince Harry in London, Priyanka Chopra headed to Bangladesh to pay a visit to Cox's Bazar, one of the largest refugee camps in the world. The visit was part of her commitment towards UNICEF, of which she is brand ambassador.

While she almost immediately shared photographs of her experience with Rohingya children on Instagram and urged the world to support them in enhancing their future, Priyanka Chopra is now set to submit a report of her learnings from the event. The consolidated report will apparently be submitted to a project head of UNICEF in Bangladesh.

A source says, "Priyanka and her team are working on putting together a report that lists the problems in refugee camps, and formulating ways to minimise them. Celebrity ambassadors on field visits have proven to mobilise people to indulge in a conversation on these issues. It is being learnt that an estimated 3,00,000 children are currently residing in these camps."

UNICEF workers have apparently created child friendly spaces within these camps to give them access to art, music, dance, sport and counselling. The source adds that Chopra's visit to the camp was in the planning for long. Last year, the actor had taken up the cause of women empowerment at the UN General Assembly, putting the plight of Syrian refugees on the agenda.

Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; April 14, 2018)

It seems that coming to India is never exhausting for Priyanka Chopra, even if it is just for 16 hours. The actress recently spared a day from her tight shooting schedule in Ireland to be in Delhi to attend an event as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF. During her brief visit to the city, she also met her mother, Madhu Chopra. Soon after attending the Partners’ Forum 2018, we met her for a quick chat and Priyanka candidly talked about her life in Hollywood by elaborating on topics such as attending the Emmy Awards with five other South Asians last year, the gender pay gap in Hollywood and her meeting with young children who want to be like her. Excerpts:

‘WHETHER IT IS BOLLYWOOD OR HOLLYWOOD, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW ROLES FOR WOMEN THAT ARE AMAZING’
In a recent article, Priyanka revealed that she lost a part in a movie last year because of her skin colour. While the article was doing the rounds on social media, the actress clarified that the point she wanted to address was how women are “put in the box” all the time, whether it is in India or elsewhere. She said, “What I was trying to say is that women are put in the box all the time. In this case, they wanted someone with a different physicality and that was what I was told and then the interpretation was that they wanted someone from a different race and I didn’t understand that. I was affected by that a little bit. It has happened a bunch of times.” The problem, she said, is that the number of good lead roles for an actress are still very less. “Whether it is Bollywood or Hollywood, there are a few roles for women that are just amazing. You know, leading parts that will excite women, so whenever there are such roles, women try and get those, which makes it easier for a producer or a studio to say, ‘You know, if you won’t settle at the price that we want to give you, we will get somebody else’, because there are so many people who want that. There are not enough opportunities for women. Until we create those opportunities, people are either going to tell me that I am of the wrong skin colour or they’ll ask me to do the film for one per cent of what the hero is getting, because, ‘I am sorry, par aise hi toh picture banti hai,’ which I was told until last year. It still happens and it will continue to happen, but the thing is that I have the ability to talk about it. There are people who would stand next to me and say, ‘Yeah, that is happening and it is alright to talk about it’,” said Priyanka.

‘AT THE EMMY AWARDS, WE WERE VERY EXCITED THAT WE WERE SIX SOUTH ASIANS TOGETHER’
How South Asians are now visible in America at prominent positions has been a topic of discussion for some time. From Mindy Kaling to Riz Ahmed, the examples are many. Priyanka says that she has never considered getting recognition in some other country an achievement. “As an actor, I want to be the best that I can be. The fact that I am working in another country or getting recognition there is not my achievement. My achievement is that people know me through my work. I was at the Emmys when Riz Ahmed won his Emmy for lead actor in a limited series. We were all standing and excitedly talking about how there were six South Asians at the Emmys that year (2017). Five years ago, there must have been only two. Mindy Kaling once said in one of her interviews that there was never a part that really came to her. She had to write the parts that came to her. Main writer bani nahi hoon abhi tak, but I am someone who has really dug my feet in when I have gone there on behalf of the South Asian community,” said Priyanka.

‘I HOPE THAT IN MY LIFETIME, I GET TO SEE A FEMALE-LED FILM BREAK BOX OFFICE RECORDS’
Be it as part of the film industry as an actor and producer, or as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF, Priyanka has always volunteered for equal rights for women and has spoken about the gender pay gap, which she said isn’t just the problem of Bollywood and Hollywood. “This is a global problem — women are second class citizens. We are living in a patriarchal world, whether it is in America or India. I hope that in my lifetime, I get to see that a female-led film has broken the number records, which Wonder Woman did in 2017. We finally had a woman superhero film, directed by a female and it earned big money in the global entertainment industry. I hope that in my lifetime, I can see more movies like that. That will change the mindset of the society in general — where you can accept a woman as a hero, where it’s okay for a boy to say I want to be like her. Like I have had little boys coming to me and say that to me about Quantico, that I want to fight like Alex Parrish. It’s so amazing to play a character that affects a unisex mindset. Now that is a movement we need to see,” said Priyanka, who made it to the list of world’s highest paid TV actresses in 2017. “I don’t like to speak about money and the specifics, but I think I need to make this point — check the list of male and female actors in that list, and check the income disparity between number one female and number one male. It is the same medium, but still that disparity. So, I am not going to say ‘Yay! I am a part of that international list.’ That is not my aim,” she said.

‘MY FATHER TOLD ME NOT TO BE AFRAID TO HAVE AN OPINION'
Priyanka has been meeting women in small villages and towns across the world, creating awareness on issues. Talking about her experiences, she said, “I have been working for a decade or so as a Goodwill Ambassador and the most incredible thing for me is to meet these women across the world and realise the tenacity and confidence these girls have, despite dealing with different issues in their lives — issues like child marriage, displacement and different kinds of abuse. I go to a refugee camp or to a small village and meet girls not getting opportunities, but still many of them do end up becoming community leaders because they have support from their communities.”

Talking about restrictions that girls often have to face, Priyanka said, “We often restrict our girls and they are often asked, ‘Tum kahan gayi thi?’ Does anyone ask boys this? Why we don’t ask boys is because it is believed that guys are free, they can do anything. Girls don’t feel empowered enough by the men around them, confident enough that they can achieve their dreams.”

She added that she was raised to be an opinionated girl. “I come from a very privileged background, and by privilege I don’t mean wealth, I mean that my parents asked my opinion. I was raised to be an opinionated girl. My father told me, ‘Don’t be afraid to have an opinion, and if you do, raise it, say it’. I was raised as a thinking person. I’m privileged, all of us sitting here are privileged because we have roofs on our heads, we have food that we can eat, we have the ability to go to school, we have the ability to make our own choices and our own decisions. When we are that privileged, it is our social responsibility, it is our social duty to make a difference to someone’s life, somehow, somewhere,” she said.


Priyanka also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her Delhi visit, alongwith Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and Incoming Chair of PMNCH (Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health)

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 10, 2018)

When Priyanka Chopra enjoyed a mini-vacay in India last month, little did she know that she would be back so soon. The actor, who has been associated with UNICEF for over a decade now, will fly down to Delhi tomorrow for an event that aims to raise awareness on child’s rights.

A source close to the actor tells mid-day, “The invite came a week ago when PeeCee was shooting for the third season of Quantico in Ireland. But she decided to squeeze time out for the appearance. The event will see her deliver a talk about the importance of child education in rural India.”

Joining her in the capital will be her mother, Madhu Chopra. “She didn’t want to miss the chance of seeing Priyanka, even if it’s for a few hours.”

Given her chock-a-block schedule, Chopra will attend the do before flying out on Wednesday night — just in time to report to shoot on Thursday. The source adds, “PeeCee is in India for merely 16 hours. She has to be back on set in Dublin to shoot an action sequence for the show. Since she is taking two days’ leave, she will have to make up for the lost time in the course of the week.”

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 15, 2017)

Priyanka Chopra, who arrives in Mumbai over the weekend, will address a gathering of 1,500 youngsters in the Capital on December 26 as UNICEF Global Goodwill ambassador.

The literary event is in its 11th year and has had leaders like the Dalai Lama, Amartya Sen, Thomas Friedman, Amitabh Bachchan, Dan Brown, and Ruskin Bond address the gathering in the past.

The actress has wrapped up the mid-season finale of her American TV show Quantico and will take off for a five-day vacation with her family and close friends on New Year’s Eve.

While in India, PeeCee will be heading to her hometown of Bareilly where she will be awarded an honorary doctorate from her University.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 28, 2017)

After Bollywood, Hollywood too is waking up to the force that is Priyanka Chopra. The actor, who has established herself on international shores with the popular show Quantico, will be honoured at Variety’s Annual Power Of Women luncheon that will be held on October 13. The event recognises Hollywood’s most philanthropic women, who have made a difference to their chosen causes. Chopra is joined on the esteemed list by distinguished personalities like Patty Jenkins, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kelly Clarkson and Octavia Spencer.

As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Chopra has championed the cause of rights of refugees and displaced people. Her endeavour recently took her to Jordan where she interacted with Syrian children, whose lives have been affected by the conflict. She has also worked towards creating awareness about child victims of sexual abuse.

Beaming with pride at her daughter’s achievement, Madhu Chopra told mid-day, “This is a huge achievement for Priyanka. As a mother, I think her greatest quality is that she is grounded and never forgets her roots. She accepts these laurels and moves ahead to make India proud.”

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 14, 2017)

From a top star in India to grabbing a prime-time television show (Quantico) in the US, Priyanka Chopra's journey has been phenomenal. But, the actress hardly expected the Obamas to know about her. PeeCee got a warm reception at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last May where she met outgoing US President Barack Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Reminiscing her first meeting with the power couple, Priyanka in an interview with VH1 chat show, said, "He's an awesome President, such a charming man. He gave an amazing speech (at the Correspondents' Dinner). There were about a hundred other actors in line to meet the President and the First Lady. Everyone was just eating and chilling because he had so many people to meet. But when my turn came, they knew my name! They spoke to me about Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi coming to the White House and about them coming to India for the Republic Day Parade (2015)."

It was there that Michelle proposed that they join hands for the girls' education campaign. "She discussed about the work I do with UNICEF and how we should work together for the education of the girl child. It was like they knew all about me. Can you imagine being the head of State and having to keep in mind everyone, but being able to do that? That, to me, was impressive!"

Actress pledges to protect children’s rights
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 14, 2016)

It was only last year that Priyanka Chopra was catapulted into the international league following rave reviews to her debut American television series, Quantico. Since then, she has captured the attention of the global audience in a way no Indian actress has so far. The 34-year-old has now been appointed UNICEF’s latest global goodwill ambassador; the announcement was made by footballer David Beckham and 12-year-old British actress Millie Bobby Brown.

In a chat with hitlist, the actress says her involvement with UNICEF began almost 10 years ago and she was committed to take on a new role. “Along this decade-old journey, I have been on many field trips to villages and centres across India. On those trips, I spent time with numerous young girls and their families, and experienced first-hand the transformative power of empowering girls with opportunities that are rightfully theirs. Together, with my fellow dedicated ambassadors, I feel proud to stand with UNICEF to help build a world where children’s rights are respected and protected,” she adds.

Priyanka was joined by other UNICEF goodwill ambassadors, including Hollywood actors Orlando Bloom and Jackie Chan, at the event that celebrated its 70 years of work for children. Addressing the top UN diplomats and children at the event, she said, “My wish for children is freedom. The freedom to think, the freedom to live. We ask you to join us today to become the collective voice of the oppressed children across the world in our fight against the injustice that they have to endure everyday.”

She thanked Beckham and Brown on social media for welcoming her into the UNICEF’s international family. “Always delighted to meet like-minded people who believe that there is humanity left inside in us after all,” she tweeted.

The actress is slated to be back in India next week for a few days to finalise her next Bollywood project.

BOMBAY TIMES (November 22, 2014)

Upala KBR (DNA; August 27, 2014)


PC called Kareena
It was PC who reached out to Kareena asking her to feature in a documentary film on the girl child and women’s education. Kareena who is right now advocating the right to secondary education for all children, especially girls and women, agreed immediately. And it’s for a good cause so she’s doing it for free. It’s a surprise given their past history, but it proves that these actresses have mellowed and are putting aside their differences for a good cause. Right now, the modalities and dates are being worked out. A couple of more actresses may be approached as well.”

Yes, it’s true, says Bebo
Kareena confirms, “Priyanka recently called me and asked me to be a part of it. I will do it, of course, but I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

She insists, “There can never be a problem with Priyanka. I really respect and like her a lot as a person and as an actress. I am very fond of her. There can never be any issue with her. We are colleagues and actors and we respect each other. I know she respects me. It’s not mellowing down but evolving and the idea is to keep evolving. That’s the fun of life and I want to keep doing that.”

Patch-up with Dips too
Bebo has patched up with Deepika Padukone too. Ask her about it and she protests again. “There was never a war for us to patch up! I meet Deepika regularly at our Bandra gym as we workout with the same trainer Yasmin Karachiwala. We are very normal and cordial. She’s my husband’s co-star and colleague. Why should there be a problem? These are all media-made issues. Media has created a problem with me and other actresses for the last 10 years. They have pitted me against everybody. I think that is great and I consider it a compliment.”