Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently found herself at the center of an unexpected online debate after she chose a hot dog over vada pav during a fun food-themed rapid-fire round. Her response sparked criticism from some netizens, who questioned her loyalty to Indian street food and culture, especially given her status as a global Indian icon. Now, actor and producer Kal Penn has come to her defense, calling the backlash unnecessary and rooted in stereotypes.
Kal Penn Stands By Priyanka’s Food Preferences
In an interview with The Indian Express, Kal Penn admitted he wasn’t fully aware of what exactly Priyanka had said, but he shared a personal anecdote to illustrate why such criticism is misplaced. Recalling his appearance on MasterChef for a charity event, Kal said he was asked about his favorite food and he replied, “Tacos.” The producers were disappointed and prodded him about Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala.
“I told them straight away no,” Kal said, adding that he had actually planned to cook one of his mother’s Indian recipes on the show. “For me, it’s just the silliness of the fact—are people not allowed to like other things? I think people just project their own likes and dislikes, so I just laugh it off.”
“Priyanka Is Authentic and Unapologetic”
Kal also commented on whether South Asian celebrities like Priyanka face pressure to conform to certain cultural expectations. “I couldn’t possibly weigh in on somebody else’s experiences,” he said thoughtfully. “But I know and love Priyanka, and I find her to be completely authentic and wonderful, and unapologetically so, which is very refreshing.”
How the Vada Pav vs. Hot Dog Debate Started
The controversy began during the premiere of Priyanka’s film Heads of State when she took part in a rapid-fire round of “This or That.” Asked to choose between dishes like empanadas and samosas, she said it depended on her mood. She picked both when asked to choose between enchiladas and chicken tikka masala. But eyebrows were raised when she confidently said, “Hot dog is my weakness,” over the beloved Indian snack vada pav.
A content creator shared the clip online, questioning her food choices and suggesting they weren’t “desi” enough. In response, Priyanka clapped back on social media, posting, “Wow bro! Didn’t know there was a syllabus for being desi. It’s not that serious”
A Matter of Personal Taste, Not Cultural Betrayal
Both Priyanka and Kal Penn’s responses highlight a larger issue about identity policing. At the end of the day, liking a hot dog doesn’t make anyone less Indian—it just makes them human.
