‘My role in Quantico was not written for an Indian’

Actor Priyanka Chopra, who has carved a niche for herself in American showbiz, says she was once asked not to join a project’s cast because of her ethnic looks. “When the opportunity came my way, I saw it as an opportunity to break the ceiling for actors that look like me,” Priyanka said. The former beauty queen, a #Shareherjourney ambassador, was the guest at a soiree organised by Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the proceeds from the event go towards Share Her Journey — TIFF’S new campaign to increase participation, skills and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera. She spoke about her career as a Bollywood icon, before foraying into Hollywood with TV series Quantico and film Baywatch, and her involvement with philanthropic works as UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. “My role in Quantico was not written for an Indian girl,” she said, adding: “I’ve had people take away films from me because I might not have agreed with them.” Priyanka also said the initial phase in entertainment industry is difficult for a woman. “You’ve got to pull your socks up for a fight,” she said. “No one’s going to hand it out to you, whether it’s credit, whether it’s parts, whether it’s the ability to make movies,” she added, pointing to Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, the first female director for a studio superhero movie. “It’s got to take people like us to stand out there, dig our heels in and say we’re not going to stand for it anymore,” stated the National Award winning actor.

Priyanka Chopra says being a woman one has to go through a lot of troubles at the onset of one’s career