Priyanka Chopra: 'They Said I Couldn't Have It All'

Actor, producer, pop star, philanthropist, activist and global icon, Priyanka Chopra asks every woman with lofty dreams to honour their unique selves, and not get bogged down by other people's idea of how one should live their life.

- Meghna Sharma

Priyanka Chopra’s journey from being a Bollywood star to a global icon doesn’t just inspire you, but also fuels you with the fire to have it all. She dreamt of being Cinderella as a child, but was quick to realise that “you must work hard for everything that you want”. And the multiple feathers in her cap, they are the result of her constant hardwork, perseverance, the right choices she’s made, and the sacrifices she’s made for them... but most importantly it’s because she didn’t allow anyone to tell her what she can or cannot do. In a heartfelt chat, Priyanka lets us in on how she mutes the naysayers in the background, and chases her dreams, no matter how big or small they are.

ON THE KEY INFLUENCES IN HER LIFE

“I was raised as an opinionated, independent, and fearless girl. My grandfather, my mother’s dad, always told me that there’s nothing I need to be afraid of—that when I go to school, I can be whoever I want. I was also a competitive little girl—I loved winning, I always liked that feeling, and as I grew older, that competitive streak in me became stronger. It also played a key role in making me recognise the importance of having goals, and of making my dreams come true.”

ON THE NAYSAYERS WHO DIDN’T BELIEVE SHE COULD HAVE IT

ALL “When I decided to explore the international music and film industry, there were many people who tried to pull me down. When I received the opportunity to work in the US, I remember the words swimming around me. Bleak, discouraging, deterring. ‘We hope you know what you’re doing...’ they said.