Bollywood actor, and now an international icon, Priyanka Chopra’s accomplishments range from being an actor, singer, producer, entrepreneur, mother, and more.
In a recent conversation with American actor Dax Shepard on his podcast ‘Armchair Expert’, the ‘Quantico’ actor shared that she was pushed into a corner in Bollywood and had beef with people in the Hindi film industry which forced her to move to Hollywood.
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In an old interview, the actor had accepted that when she was replaced in films during the span of her career in Bollywood, it hit her hard.
“I have been replaced and it has happened twice. Once, a co-actor told me, and once, I read it in the newspaper. I went and cried to my father, why me? But then he told me what are you going to do about it? I just made sure to be excellent in my next film and learn the job well. Even if the film doesn’t do well, I want to make sure that what I do is excellent.”
Soon after, many professionals working in and around the Hindi film industry including film journalists, critics, directors, and singers came in support of her by stating that everyone knew what Priyanka went through but hardly anyone spoke against it.
She was also lauded for being brave and strong in dealing with the bias.
Well-known professionals like playback singer Amaal Mallik, filmmaker Apurva Asrani and director Onir stood in solidarity and called out the groupism that plagues Bollywood and causes many outsiders to take drastic steps.
Well it’s something that I face on a daily basis.
When fans ask me why I don’t do as many Bollywood films ? Now you know 😉
The truth about campism, bootlicking & powerplay within #Bollywood needs to come out more often 💆🏻♂️🖕🏻
See what they tried to do to this amazing woman 👎🏻 https://t.co/pYPpWxY9MD
— Amaal Mallik (@AmaalMallik) March 28, 2023
Finally Priyanka Chopra reveals what everyone knew, but said not a word. Not the liberals, not the feminists. They hail those that ostracized her, celebrate the kings that tried to destroy her. It is a massive win that she didn't end up like Parveen Babi or Sushant Singh Rajput. https://t.co/6R8exdbLiD
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) March 28, 2023
Never too late to admit, accept and say things aloud. #PriyankaChopra, more power to you. Keep rocking 👊👊 https://t.co/CFKnzxSjnc
— Monika Rawal (@monikarawal) March 28, 2023
She says a lot without saying it in so many words. https://t.co/5nagulwqK1
— Sonal Kalra 🇮🇳 (@sonalkalra) March 28, 2023
The story of many lives … an industry that is unfortunately controlled by few … and empowered by the structure and other players to keep control within few . https://t.co/c6eAGNf3Qz
— iamOnir (@IamOnir) March 28, 2023
Love that #PriyankaChopra has been brave enough to speak the truth. Too many Bollywood stars remain silent and this has led to so many tragedies in the past like #SushantSinghRajput – everything she said is true. Certain cliques will destroy careers.https://t.co/jBO8Fj8XqH
— Asjad Nazir (@asjadnazir) March 28, 2023
She is the perfect example of “no matter what they say, let your work speak.” She has come a long, long way. And, this one’s quite brave. I am glad PCJ spoke on this topic! #priyankachopra https://t.co/HAt8wnDPF3
— Priya Adivarekar (@priyaadivarekar) March 28, 2023
What happens when u corner a truly strong woman ,
they show you the royal middle finger, because a strong hardworking person will always find a way out , it’s the useless ones that need a gang to latch on to 👏 https://t.co/bhAVKSKDCu— Rachel White (@whitespeaking) March 28, 2023
I find Priyanka Chopra extremely powerful. If 'success is the best revenge' was a brand, she would be the Founder-CEO and a 100% stakeholder of it!
— Shruti Chaturvedi 🇮🇳 (@adhicutting) March 28, 2023
No matter how big or successfull an outsider becomes, but in the end they willl still be an outsider. Cutting them, smothering them will never stop, if u dont follow the rule book. But what @priyankachopra achieved is a tight slap on their faces!! https://t.co/66tBR2ICJZ
— Meera Chopra (@MeerraChopra) March 28, 2023
Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut also alleged how Karan Johar and other “movie mafias” made it difficult for her (an outsider) to survive in Bollywood out of jealousy.
Media wrote extensively about her fall out with Karan Johar because of her friendship with SRK and movie mafia Cruella who is always looking for vulnerable outsiders saw a perfect punching bag in PC and went all out in harassing her to a point where she had to leave India.
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) March 28, 2023
As Kangana referred to in her tweet, Priyanka Chopra and Karan Johar allegedly had a feud back in 2012. It all happened when there were rumors of Priyanka’s and Shah Rukh Khan’s alleged close friendship.
Since Karan is a dear friend of the Khans, he reportedly tried to ‘push’ Priyanka out of the scene. Testifying Karan’s ill-treatment towards PeeCee, her close friend said in an interview:
“At a recent party, while he (Karan) was feeding her cupcakes, she heard rumours of him b*tching her out-all this is very hurtful.”
The unidentified woman also defended the rumoured ‘close friendship’ PeeCee had with SRK and told Mumbai Mirror, “Priyanka has done nothing wrong. If these women are insecure about their relationships with their husbands, they should sort it out with them, at home. Why should they attack her?”
After this made headlines, an upset and irked Karan took to Twitter to lash out at PeeCee even further. He had reportedly tweeted:
“Using their hired PR machinery and hiding behind so-called ‘friends’ to get news into tabloids is nothing but spineless and lame. Some people need to wake up and smell the KOFFEE!!! Get a reality check before it’s too late!!! Grow up!!! and don’t mess with goodness.”
Evidence is all over in SM. Back in 2012 #PriyankaChopra's close friend had disclosed to the tabloid that a powerful producer-director (#KaranJohar ) who can make or break careers, has not been kind to Priyanka behind her back. https://t.co/ylx3utve86 pic.twitter.com/42Z2tAIlwX
— Rahul Chauhan (@RahulCh9290) March 28, 2023
However, soon after, Karan said in an interview that all was well between him and Priyanka.
“Well, I can say that there is absolutely no problem between Priyanka and me. We have had an extremely good professional and personal experience over the years. I hope it continues that way.”
While they both mended their ways, there allegedly were some other Bollywood actors who had problems working with her.
PeeCee’s closeness to Akshay Kumar wasn’t taken well by the actor’s wife Twinkle Khanna who reportedly banned him from working with her.
She got into the bad books of Salman Khan when she walked out of the film ‘Bharat’.
Priyanka haters can shut up for once and let her speak. https://t.co/nobxY1DZhW pic.twitter.com/1eL4iLc4GT
— Cavillrized (@wandererChopra) March 29, 2023
Here’s a front page full coverage of Priyanka Chopra from back in the day with the headline “No Heroes For PC!” where the publication listed all the leading actors and gave speculations as to why they weren’t willing to work with her.
“Krissh 3 could be their last film together. Hrithik’s wife Sussanne is very close to Gauri Khan and the fact that PC wasn’t invited to the ‘Agneepath’ success party at their home is a sign of things to come.”
The insider vs outsider debate took moments after many celebs spoke about it in the recent past. Evidently, it has been happening in Bollywood for ages.
With so many things and people to fight with, seems like PeeCee did the right thing. What do you think?