‘I want to be Priyanka Chopra’ is the biggest compliment: Priyanka Chopra

In a short span of time, Priyanka Chopra has managed to carve a niche for herself in the American entertainment industry. After garnering accolades from international media and bagging several magazine covers worldwide, she also became one of the highest-paid actresses on television according to the Forbes list of 2016. Priyanka is currently in New York, USA, shooting for the second season of her American TV show, and is the only desi actor to become a part of mainstream American showbiz. Here are some excerpts from an interview with the actor:

When do you plan to begin your projects in India? Have you signed any Hindi films yet?

I have a paucity of time this year. After I finish the second season of my show, I have only about four months to be able to shoot for a film. I have met some amazing people who came to New York and narrated some wonderful scripts to me. I have met people from here as well. So, right now, I am in the process of figuring out which film I want to sign.

With so much on your plate, how do you manage to be so active on social media?

My phone is my most prized possession. All my social media activity happens through my phone. I was one of the first Indian actors who joined Twitter. I really enjoy social media. It’s simple — people who don’t want to know about me, don’t have to follow me. People who want to know about me can follow me. It’s a direct connection with all the people who love me. I don’t do it because I need to do it. I do it because I enjoy being a part of it.

Are you also active on social media because you are fascinated by technology?

I am a tech junkie. I love the internet. I am a geek, so I wanted to sign up [on social media] for that reason too. I want to experiment with everything new [in technology]. Hence, I took up Twitter. I really enjoy it. I like sharing [some] parts of my life... because there’s a lot [of my life] that I don’t share with the world. I don’t like to share [everything] because it’s personal. I have been a public person half my life. Everything about me can be found on Google. Whenever I have to show someone things about me — my work or even my hair or makeup — I just Google it. So I am not afraid of being out there because I am already out there. And what is not supposed to be out there never will be.

What kind of messages do you receive from your fans?

What surprises me is when people make the effort to come and meet me. They find out where I am and wait for me for hours, which is overwhelming; especially, young boys and girls, who come to meet me and talk to me about their dreams and ambitions. That touches me. When they say they want to grow up and be like me, to me, that is the most amazing compliment. To me, someone saying ‘I want to be Priyanka Chopra’, is the biggest compliment I have ever received.

The actor, who will next be seen in Hollywood movie Baywatch (co-starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron), also has her debut Marathi film production titled Ventilator recently released.