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When PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS speaks, you listen, period. That special blend of charisma, humour and intelligence is irresistible. Ambika Muttoo spent some quality time with her in Mumbai, which resulted in this insightful conversation. PS: In case it isn’t obvious, she’s a PCJ fan

- Ambika Muttoo

“I am slightly exhausted today. It’s been a big four or five days since I’ve been in Bombay. I was also jet-lagged,” says Priyanka Chopra Jonas. It’s a completely valid sentiment for a star of her calibre. But, again, this is Priyanka Chopra Jonas. We’re probably going to miss a few cards on her rolodex, but the exceptional multi-hyphenate is an actor, artiste, producer, mum, partner, restaurateur, philanthropist, author and investor. That too, on a global level, shuttling between the ends of the planet, much like most of us grab a cab to work every day. Given her schedule, this feels like a vast understatement. And, yet, here she is, warmth personified in a lemon sorbet two-piece suit, with her hair in a soft updo, framing a face that belies her justified fatigue. It’s that voice too – a huskiness that hums through the air, gently dispersing any nerves you might have about being in the presence of an icon. Because that’s exactly what PCJ is.

When this interview was conducted, Priyanka was in Mumbai for a few events, including a special screening of Citadel, the epic spy-thriller series she stars in with a stellar cast – Richard Madden, Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, among others. The show is an Amazon Studios and Russo Brothers’ AGBO collaboration, and has, by now, released on Prime Video. Yes, the Russo Brothers who have directed a few of the Captain America and Avengers movies. She’s happy and excited with the reactions from her homestead, given how much work has been poured into the show. “It was the first time anybody outside of our inner circle had ever seen it,” she reveals. “We screened it for the first time in Mumbai for very special industry friends and folks. I was really nervous about that. But I also feel really humbled that we kickstarted