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EXCLUSIVE: Priyanka Chopra is my global diva, she's very gutsy - Madhu Chopra on daughter
Priyanka Chopra's mother Madhu Chopra gets candid about her daughter.
Priyanka Chopra is the true definition of a global star! The actress, who debuted in 2003, has indeed come a long way. From signing Hindi films to becoming the face of an American TV show Quantico years later and then making a mark in Hollywood and winning People's Choice awards twice in a row, PeeCee has done it all. Everytime one thinks that this is it, Priyanka Chopra proves you wrong! She surprises you with a new achievement! And it is not just us but even her mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra, who thinks 'what's next?' for her daughter.
As Priyanka Chopra celebrates her 35th birthday today amidst sand and sea along with her family, we decided to put out our conversation with the stunning Madhu Chopra. In our candid conversation, Senior Chopra talks about her 'global diva' Priyanka Chopra, her achievements, their production house and much more! Excerpts from our chat:
It is PeeCee's birthday month. Any anecdote that you can share about her special day?
She is very excited about her birthdays since childhood. Year before last, she was shooting and the entire team was with her. They had organized a birthday party for all her friends and the people that she is close to. Her friends from the industry and all. No one told her anything and even I didn't say anything to her. We let it be a surprise. We went on the sets, they had bought her a cake. She cut it and they all celebrated. She thought it is all over. Then when we came back home after shooting, she entered the house and the whole place just lit up with people singing happy birthday for her. She was so happy and flaunted her appropriate look for the cameras. Then she slipped into her comfy clothes and chilled with them till the wee hours of the morning. That is one of the memorable birthdays of her.
Priyanka has often said that you are her backbone and it is because of your strong and unconditional support, that she has been able to focus in Hollywood. How is Priyanka as a daughter to you and what kind of support does she give you?
I think more than me being her mom now she has become my mom. She is very concerned about me and she takes care of me. She is always looking out for me, asking me if I have had food or medicines. Small things that I would do to her, now she is doing for me. I like that. I am calling her my rock only because we have immense trust between each other. We have drawn a line on no lying. Neither will I lie to her nor will she lie to me. That is our core strength. The child should also allow the parents to come into their life. We disagree on a lot of things but then we have a conversation and then sort it. Either she convinces me or I convince her. No aggression.
Priyanka Chopra today is a global name and she has made India proud on many occasions. Which has been the proudest moment for you?
I always think what next? There also she surprises me! Today she sent me a picture of a huge hoarding of hers in Miami from a brand shoot saying no model of theirs has featured like this. 'I am the first,' she exclaimed. They look at her as a value addition. She does so much of philanthropy and charity. All her segments are different. It is not for nothing that she has become the UN Global Ambassador. She has worked hard for 15-20 years. She does it all quietly and the people who are affected, know it.
Had you imagined, a young girl who went on to become Miss World will one day dominate globally?
Yeah I always thought whatever she gets into, she will emerge a winner, because that was her personality since childhood. She was a headgirl, super leader, a topper, a choreographer.. anything that the teacher would give, she would do amazing. We used to think she will be a doctor. But when she slightly grew up, she said that she didn't want to be a doctor because then she would have to leave her baby home. Her dad and I used to leave her alone and go on our night shifts. Next what, engineering! She was good in math and physics. That was the notion and she was studying for it. But what happened next was written in her destiny. Once she got into it, she gave it her all. And she is very hardworking. I am very proud of my global diva (smiles)! She is very gutsy. Going to Universal and singing a song is scary. But she did it.
What is her next Bollywood project?
She has a very small window. Before Quantico season 2 ends and the third one starts. In such a short span, she won't be able to do any Hindi movie. Hopefully next year she will do something. She is reading a lot of scripts.
Any plans to venture into Hindi production?
Hopefully by next year. We have some films lined up. Hindi films will only be done by Priyanka. In that, I won't be a part. Because that needs more care. She has hired a wonderful CEO and has good staff coming in. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Priyanka have met. But they haven't signed the dotted line as of yet.
Why produce regional cinema over Hindi films?
If you know Priyanka Chopra, you will know she thinks hatke. That is the first thing I had asked her when we were setting up a production house. I had told her that we have good scripts, we have money then why not Hindi and why regional? She said no, everybody produces Hindi films. I want to give it back to regional films. And we are the only ones who are making so many regional films.
How do you guys decide on the movie that you'll want to produce?
We get lot of scripts. We have a team that filters them. The ones which we like then go for an approval to Priyanka. Once she green lights it, only then we go ahead. Here the mandate is that if we shoot a Rajasthani film then the character, story and crew maximum has to be from there. So we are not taking away their work. We are giving them work. And Priyanka ke rehte hue we can show the movie throughout the nation or for that matter across the world.
Everybody asks Priyanka how does she juggle between India and US. We want to know how do you manage your work between the two places?
We stay up late nights (laughs). When we have the final meetings with the entire team, Priyanka joins us through Face Time. Mostly, it is midnight for her when the entire crew works here. But she does it. And sometimes when she needs to give a message, then it is my past midnight. We do our communication and it is an everyday thing. She is on top of it. Hence we feel comfortable because Priyanka is overseeing it. If we are taking a risk she is aware and guides us through. In fact, when she recently came to India, she saw the rough cut of Pahuna and suggested so many changes. It has now become more beautiful.
Do you think this entire box office trend in Hindi cinema is affecting the content of the movies?
It is ruining it for everybody. It is a market generated thing today. If you make a 100 crore film then you have to make a 200 crore film. It doesn't happen like that. Audience is a good judge. A movie can be a 2-crore film but it makes more money because of the content and vice versa. Look at Sairat. The performances were so good. These are miraculous films. Ventilator did well. These films are different. Also I grew up watching Dada Kondke films and they were a class apart. So this time we thought of making a comedy. Of course, we have all newcomers but lets hope for the best.
As a mother, do you think Priyanka should settle down and get married or it isn't a matter of concern to you?
If she finds real love, I would want her to settle down. Otherwise, I don't think she has to. She has worked very hard to get where she is. Just because her mom wants her to get married and she gives in, isn't something that as a mother I wish for. And this is my advise to all career driven girls. The girls are making a headway in such a difficult world. For girls it is double the efforts to prove that they are worth it. Why would they want to give that up? They put in so much hardwork to get to a place where a guy would have reached rather easily, then why give up? I am for gender equality. Both should be given equal opportunities and they should be selected on merit.
Do you think Priyanka Chopra is a trendsetter?
100 percent! She is not just a trendsetter, but she has been a role model. Youngsters today should listen to her. Whatever she says, means a lot. Kids would find something that they would relate to. She is wise beyond her years. And she doesn't feel bad when something doesn't work because she knows she has given her best. Priyanka is very balanced. She has done a lot of bad films. But she owns up to them. And she doesn't have any regret. She is proud of her choices. She takes them as a learning experience. Failure is just one more step to success is her mantra!
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