Priyanka Chopra Jonas: My Career Pivots Were for Survival, Not Choice

Global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently reflected on the challenges of her early Bollywood career at the Bridge Summit in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that her initial professional decisions were driven by survival and necessity, not the privilege of choice.

Priyanka shared that early in her journey, she “said yes to everything” because “every opportunity was a privilege,” often missing key family milestones because “refusing work didn’t feel like an option.”

Recalling the “Six Back-to-Back Flops”

Priyanka revealed a critical low point in her career where opportunities were actively taken away from her, forcing her to pivot and reinvent herself:

“There was a year when six of my films flopped back-to-back. It was like, ‘Oh my God, we shouldn’t cast Priyanka because the film won’t do well.’ So, because of the fear of losing, I had to leave what I was comfortable with and pivot to try something new. I had to create opportunities. My pivots were never about choice; they were a lot about survival.”

She contrasted her past struggles with her current standing: “Now I get to choose. Now, I say yes with intention. I weigh the pros and cons, I think about the impact on my family, my sanity, and my long-term goals. That’s how you protect your crystal balls.”

From Bollywood Star to Global Icon

Priyanka Chopra’s career began after winning Miss World 2000. She quickly rose to prominence in Bollywood with critical and commercial successes such as Aitraaz, Fashion (for which she won a National Award), Don, Krrish, Barfi!, and Bajirao Mastani.

She later expanded her reach to Hollywood, becoming the first South Asian woman to headline an American network drama with Quantico. She has since featured in major international films like Baywatch, The Matrix Resurrections, and Love Again, and also moved into production with her banner, Purple Pebble Pictures.

Upcoming Projects

Priyanka Chopra Jonas has two highly anticipated projects in the pipeline:

• Varanasi: Her return to Indian cinema, directed by S.S. Rajamouli and co-starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. It is scheduled for release on Sankranti 2027.
• Citadel: The second season of the American spy action drama.