Anjula Acharia on Priyanka Chopra’s Global Stardom: Seven Years of Unwavering Dedication Before ‘Quantico’ Breakthrough
‘Priyanka Chopra is best thing to come out of India after yoga’: Manager Anjula Acharia recalls seven years of struggle before ‘Quantico’ breakthrough
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a name synonymous with global stardom, has seamlessly transitioned from a celebrated Bollywood icon to a prominent figure in Hollywood. Her remarkable journey, however, was far from an overnight success, a fact her long-time manager, Anjula Acharia, recently elucidated, highlighting the extensive groundwork laid before her breakthrough.
Currently, Chopra Jonas is poised for a significant return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s much-anticipated, Mahesh Babu-led film, ‘Varanasi’. Demonstrating her continued versatility, she is also set to share the screen with Russell Crowe in the sci-fi action thriller ‘Bluefly’, reinforcing her commitment to both Indian and international projects.
Priyanka Chopra’s Hollywood Breakthrough: A Testament to Years of Persistent Effort
In 2015, Priyanka Chopra made her definitive Hollywood debut as the lead in Joshua Safran’s series ‘Quantico’. This role proved to be a pivotal moment, firmly establishing her as a leading Indian face within the competitive American entertainment landscape. However, as Acharia revealed in a candid conversation with influencer Masoom Minawala, this success was the culmination of arduous, behind-the-scenes work.
“With Priyanka, people are like, ‘Oh my god, she was an overnight success.’ She was not! We worked really hard for seven years before she was on Quantico and broke out and was on the cover of Vogue and Vanity Fair. We were hustling for a long time,” Acharia disclosed.
Acharia also reflected on her initial impressions of Priyanka, explaining what convinced her of the actress’s potential for international acclaim.
“I saw Priyanka on television years before I went to India and convinced her to come back to America with me. But I saw something really special in her. Yet, I’ll be very honest with you, if when I met her, and that hadn’t come through, it wouldn’t have been worth my time. Priyanka is incredibly unique. She is one of a kind, and I say this to her face as well.”
Priyanka Chopra’s Humility: Rebuilding a Career from the Ground Up in America
A particularly striking aspect highlighted by Acharia was Priyanka’s profound lack of ego and her willingness to set aside her established Bollywood stature to embark on a new journey in Hollywood. Despite being at the pinnacle of the Indian film industry, Chopra Jonas was prepared to engage in meetings at every level, demonstrating an admirable resolve to establish herself in the US.
“The lack of ego in that woman… When she was at the top of her game, she came to America with me and took meetings with the assistants of the assistants, and pounded the streets with me. It’s so remarkable and admirable,” Acharia stated. “There are a lot of stars in India who won’t be willing to do that work. When they’re at the top of their game, who would want to go to another country and pound the streets? They would want it all laid out for them. But Priyanka was unique. That’s why I say she has no ego. She taught me how to be humble.”
Acharia clarified that her vision was never to distance Priyanka from India, but rather to position her as a vital bridge between Indian talent and global audiences.
“When I first came to India, everyone was like, ‘You’re going to steal Priyanka from us.’ But I always said, ‘No, I’m going to take India to the world through her. She’s going to be our biggest ambassador.’ I think, after yoga, she’s the best thing to come out of India.”
The Pivotal Shift: From Music Ventures to Television Success
Before achieving success in American television, Acharia initially attempted to launch Priyanka as a singer. However, this venture did not yield the desired results, prompting a strategic re-evaluation of the actor’s international career trajectory and a subsequent pivot towards television.
“I founded a label with Jimmy Iovine, for which I signed Priyanka Chopra 17 years ago. It failed and did not launch Priyanka as a singer. I pivoted to managing her and then managed her career into television. Although she questioned it for a long time, we eventually came to the conclusion that it’s a path worth taking. I was still investing in companies and doing multiple things, juggling. At that point, we’d made no money. Quantico brought our first real paycheck.”
The resounding success of ‘Quantico’ subsequently opened numerous doors to international opportunities for Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Since then, she has skillfully cultivated a career that spans both the vibrant landscapes of Indian and Western entertainment, solidifying her status as a truly global powerhouse.
