Priyanka Chopra was sceptical to sign 'Quantico'

September 28, 2015

Mumbai, Sep 28: American TV series “Quantico” is a big break for Priyanka Chopra in an international scene but the actress had second thoughts about signing the show as she felt it would require a long commitment.

QuanticoThe 33-year-old actress, who bagged the show during the shooting of “Gunday”, had her kitty full with back-to-back releases like “Mary Kom”, “Dil Dhadakne Do” and two upcoming projects “Bajirao Mastani” and “Jai Gangaajal”.

“I was a little sceptical initially because it’s a long commitment. I had to balance television and Hindi films. The script was incredible and I just couldn’t say no to it,” Priyanka told PTI in an exclusive interview over phone.

“I was shooting ‘Gunday’ when Kelly Lee, who is into casting, came to meet me. Then I had to go to LA and read the 25 pilots that they had picked for me and tell them the ones I liked. I am happy that I got my first pick, which was ‘Quantico’,” the actress said.

The show revolves around a group of young Federal Bureau of Investigation recruits, who are training at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Priyanka plays the lead character of Alex Parrish, who becomes the FBI’s prime suspect.

The former Miss World feels the viewers will like the mystery aspect of the series. “The audience would discover with me the various twists and turns,” she said.

Priyanka said her team and the people in the US have been warm to her.

“They are all amazing people. I am having a great time shooting for the show. They are treating me well,” she said.

The “Fashion” star cannot wait the audience to watch “Quantico”, which goes on air today in the US.

It will premiere in India on October 3 on Star World and Star World Premiere HD.

“I am excited as well as nervous. I am waiting to see the reaction of people. I am hoping people will like it. I have worked hard for this show. I just hope the audience loves it as much as I do,” Priyanka said.

The actress credits Bollywood stars like Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan for paving way for other Indian actors to get work in Hollywood.

“It is a great shift for Indian actors today. Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan have paved the way for us to be there by doing amazing work. I am happy we are getting the opportunity to show our talent to the world,” she said.

The National award-winning actress feels happy to have come a long way in her career.

“The world has become this big global family… The horizons are expanding. For me, a girl, who comes from (a small town like) Bareli, I see it as an incredible time for me after reaching here. I feel if I can do it, why can’t others,” Priyanka said.

Often Indian actors are not recognised for the cameos they do in Hollywood films or international TV shows but the actress is not bothered about this and prefers quality over quantity.

“I have learnt this from Amitabh Bachchan that the length of the role shouldn’t matter, the quality should. One should impress people with their presence. I feel all kind of work should be respected. I feel fortunate to have got this opportunity,” Priyanka said.

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News Network
July 1,2020

Los Angeles, Jul 1: Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan and costume designer Neeta Lulla are among the 819 artistes and executives who have received invitations to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

Bhatt's last movie, the Zoya Akhtar-directed Gully Boy was India's official entry for best international feature category at the 2019 Oscars. However, the film had failed to make it to the final five.

Other prominent Indian names to receive invitations are casting director Nandini Shrikent, documentary filmmakers Nishtha Jain, Shirley Abraham, Amit Madheshiya, visual effects supervisors Vishal Anand and Sandeep Kamal.

In a statement, the Academy said the new invitees include 36 per cent of people of colour and 45 per cent women. Artistes from 68 countries have been invited as members.

Those who accept the invitation will have voting rights at the 93rd Academy Awards, scheduled to be held on April 25, 2021.

"The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travellers in the motion picture arts and sciences. We have always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects the rich variety of our global film community, and never more so than now," Academy President David Rubin said.

The Academy has been actively working to introduce more diversity in its voting to avoid a controversy like 2016 when the Oscars were dubbed "white" for failing to recognise talents of colour.

The 2020 batch boasts of major Hollywood names like Cynthia Erivo, John David Washington, Constance Wu, Zazie Beetz, Florence Pugh, Zendaya, Awkwafina, Yalitza Aparicio, Mackenzie Davis, Ana de Armas, Adele Haenel, Thomasin McKenzie, Olivia Wilde and others.

The stars of multiple Oscar-winning South Korean movie Parasite -- Jang Hye-Jin, Jo Yeo-Jeong, Park So-Dam and Lee Jung-Eun -- are among the invitees.

Directors Lulu Wang, Ari Aster, Terence Davies, Matthew Vaughn, Robert Eggers, Matt Reeves, Alma Har’el are on the list as well.

The Academy has announced a new five-year plan that includes implementing inclusion standards for nominees.

"We take great pride in the strides we have made in exceeding our initial inclusion goals set back in 2016, but acknowledge the road ahead is a long one.  We are committed to staying the course.

"We look forward to continuing to foster an Academy that reflects the world around us in our membership, our programs, our new Museum, and in our awards," Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said.

In 2019, the organisation had invited 842 new members which included Indian names such as filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap and veteran actor Anupam Kher.

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News Network
July 1,2020

Los Angeles, Jul 1: Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has struck a two-year television deal with Amazon. The 37-year-old actor shared the news about her "multimillion-dollar" first look deal with the streamer in a post on Instagram.

"So honoured and excited to finally share this news with you. Looking ahead, we already have so much on our slate! Big thank you to @jsalke and her team at Amazon for being such great partners, and for sharing in the belief that talent and good content knows no boundaries," Priyanka wrote.

The actor, who launched her own production banner Purple Pebble Pictures in 2015, said she aims to create "great content" featuring "creative talent" from all over the world.

"This has always been the DNA of my production house Purple Pebble Pictures, and is the foundation of this exciting new endeavour with Amazon. ⁣⁣

"And as a storyteller, my quest is to constantly push myself to explore new ideas that not only entertain but most importantly, open minds and perspectives," Priyanka said.

She thanked her fans for being a "big part of my journey so far".

"And for those who are just getting to know me, or maybe only recognise me as Alex Parrish from 'Quantico', I'm excited for you to get to know me better," Priyanka concluded.

Priyanka, who started her Hollywood career with ABC series Quantico, has featured in films such as Baywatch and Isn't It Romantic.

Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke told Variety that she bonded with the actor over their "shared passion for diverse global storytelling".

"Priyanka is drawn to exciting original content and characters that can resonate globally. She’s a powerhouse producer, and we are thrilled to collaborate with her for years to come," she added.

Prior to her deal with Amazon, the actor lined up two projects with the streamer. She will star opposite Game of Thrones actor Richard Madden in upcoming thriller series Citadel, to be produced by Anthony and Joe Russo.

The actor will also feature in Sangeet, an unscripted series co-produced with her husband, Nick Jonas.

Priyanka's another project with Amazon is a film about Ma Anand Sheela, the assistant to guru Bhagwan Rajneesh (also known as Osho). The actor will be producing the movie which is based on Netflix docu-series Wild Wild Country.

Besides her association with Amazon, the actor will next star in two Netflix projects -- superhero movie We Can Be Heroes and The White Tiger,  opposite Rajkummar Rao.

She is currently shooting for Keanu Reeves-starrer The Matrix 4, which recently resumed filming after production was halted by the pandemic.

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Agencies
August 4,2020

New Delhi, Aug 4: Almost two months after the demise of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, actor Preity Zinta on Tuesday watched his last film 'Dil Bechara' for the second time and said it was an 'emotional roller coaster'.

The 'Kal Ho Na Ho' actor shared a picture of one of the scenes from the film on Instagram and thanked film director Mukesh Chhabra for doing justice to the 'Kai Po Che!' actor's last film.

"Saw #Dilbechara again Thank you @castingchhabra for doing full justice to Sushant's last movie," she wrote in the caption.
"It was surreal, a tearjerker and an emotional roller coaster all the way," she added.

She also praised Sushant's co-actor Sanjana Sanghi for doing a "fab job" in the film which happens to be her debut flick.

"@sanjanasanghi96 U and the rest of the cast did a fab job. Congratulations to all of you. #Bittersweet #MissU," the 45-year-old actor further wrote.

Produced by Fox Star Studios, 'Dil Bechara' has been adapted from the famous John Green novel 'The Fault In Our Stars.'

Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai's Bandra residence on June 14.

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