Priyanka Chopra faced significant challenges when she transitioned from Bollywood to Hollywood. Her manager Anjula Acharia recently shared heartbreaking details about those early days.
From Bollywood Queen to Hollywood Unknown
In 2015, Priyanka Chopra made a bold career move. She left her established position as a Bollywood superstar to pursue opportunities in Hollywood. This decision surprised many industry observers.
She signed a talent deal with ABC Studios and landed the lead role in the thriller series Quantico. Her character Alex Parrish made television history. Priyanka became the first South Asian actor to headline an American network drama series.
Initial Skepticism and Doubts
Anjula Acharia revealed that people called the plan crazy. Many questioned how a brown Bollywood star could succeed in America. Acharia experienced moments of insecurity about this ambitious project.
She recalled approaching Jimmy Iovine, cofounder of Interscope Records, with her concerns. They had signed Priyanka together through a label deal. Jimmy offered perspective by reminding her that people initially doubted Eminem's potential as a white rapper too.
The Heartbreaking Reality of Starting Over
Acharia described the emotional difficulty of watching Priyanka navigate Hollywood's hierarchy. The actor had to introduce herself to people who didn't recognize her fame.
Imagine this situation, Acharia explained. You're with the Beyonce of a country, but nobody else knows she's Beyonce. Just you do. She introduces herself saying, 'You don't know who I am, but I'm Priyanka Chopra.'
They found themselves meeting what Acharia called assistants of assistants in ordinary cafeterias. The manager admitted suffering heartbreak for Priyanka during these meetings. Yet the actor displayed remarkable grace and humility throughout the process.
Learning Humility Through Experience
Acharia emphasized that Priyanka taught her valuable lessons about humility. There were moments when the manager felt certain opportunities were beneath them. Priyanka consistently disagreed with that assessment.
Priyanka has actually taught a lot of humility, Acharia reflected. There have been specific moments where I'm like, 'We are above this,' and she's like, 'No, we are not.'
The actor approached her Hollywood transition with complete absence of ego. She embraced the necessary groundwork despite her previous stardom in India.
Current Projects and Future Appearances
Priyanka Chopra continues to build her international career. She will soon appear in the R-rated pirate adventure The Bluff. In this film, she portrays the character Bloody Mary alongside co-star Karl Urban.
The movie premieres on Prime Video on February 25. Additionally, Priyanka prepares for her return to Indian cinema. She joins S.S. Rajamouli's globe-trotting production Varanasi. This project features Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran in leading roles.
Priyanka's journey from meeting junior assistants to securing major roles demonstrates her determination. Her manager's revelations highlight the reality behind glamorous career transitions in the entertainment industry.
