Priyanka Chopra: Winning the Padma Shri has a special meaning for me

This has been a phenomenal year for Priyanka Chopra. The actor, who got an international award for ABC soap Quantico and is working opposite Dwayne Johnson in Baywatch, was honoured with Padma Shri on Tuesday. The 33-year-old actor talks about her journey so far.

You aren’t new to National Awards and other film awards. But how special is a Padma Shri?
This is the fourth highest civilian honour in the country. It is a very big deal for me, especially being a defence daughter (her parents served in the army) . My bade papa had come, my mom, nani, my entire family was there to cheer for me. Bade papa came dressed in his uniform, with all his medals. My dad would have been extremely proud. It has a different meaning.

You have also been invited by Barack Obama to White House to attend the correspondent’s dinner. Have you decided what you will be wearing?
I actually haven’t figured out my clothes because, in all probability, I am going to be shooting. I am committed to shooting the season finale of Quantico and Baywatch. To take four days off to come to India required so much co-ordination. Travelling takes two days and the crew had to stop shooting for a day. So it looks difficult.

Read: Rajinikanth, Priyanka Chopra honoured with Padma awards

How much about Bollywood does your Quantico crew know about?
I am introducing them to a lot of Bollywood. They all want to watch Bajirao Mastani but we have such insane hours that by the time we wrap up, everyone just wants to head home to sleep. Every time we shoot on location, there is such a huge crowd because Hindi films have a huge fan following everywhere. So,they know now. They are all dying to come to India with me. I think a few of them might come for a holiday after we wrap up this season. They want me to take them to places and show them around.

How do you deal with all this travel across time zones?
You know, I really think I should be buying a plane instead of a house. I spend so much time on a plane. I am always travelling. I am perennially tired. So now that’s my new normal.