Priyanka Chopra Jonas stands tall as one of the most accomplished Indian actors to have successfully crossed over from Hindi cinema to Hollywood. Over the years, she has not only built an impressive international career but has also represented India on multiple global platforms, redefining what it means to be a truly global star. However, her journey to international recognition was far from easy, and when she first attempted to make a mark in Hollywood, the decision was met with scepticism—even from within the industry.
Priyanka’s manager, Anjula Acharia, recently opened up about those early days during an appearance on The Ok Sweetie Show. She recalled how people around her strongly doubted the idea of launching a Bollywood actor in the American entertainment industry. According to Anjula, many industry insiders openly questioned her decision and even called it “stupid.”
“People told me I was stupid when I brought Priyanka,” Anjula said, reflecting on the resistance she faced. “Everyone was like, ‘You can’t break a brown Bollywood star in America.’” Despite the discouragement, Anjula remained determined to push forward, believing in Priyanka’s talent and global appeal.
She further shared how she turned to music industry legend Jimmy Iovine, cofounder of Interscope Records, during a moment of self-doubt. Priyanka had been signed through a label deal that Anjula and Jimmy had worked on together. “I was having one of my insecure moments,” Anjula admitted. “I told Jimmy that people were saying I was crazy.” His response proved to be a defining moment of reassurance. Jimmy reminded her that he, too, had once been told he was crazy for wanting to launch a white rapper named Eminem—an artist who would later become one of the most successful musicians in the world.
That belief paid off. Today, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a globally recognised name who has carved her own space in Hollywood through consistent work and diverse roles. Her success story was recently highlighted by Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, who took to social media to express that Priyanka is still not celebrated enough in India for her global achievements.
In his post, Ricky wrote, “My Opinion: The one actor in India who we do not celebrate enough is @priyankachopra. She is the ONLY Indian actor (of any generation) who has truly made waves in Hollywood and globally, after being one of the most sought-after actors in India for many years.” His statement resonated with fans who have long admired Priyanka’s ability to balance success in both Indian and international entertainment industries.
My Opinion: The one actor in India who we do not celebrate enough is @priyankachopra. She is the ONLY Indian actor (of any generation) who has truly made waves in Hollywood and globally (After being one of the most sought after in India for many years). She has starred with…
— Ricky Kej (@rickykej) January 8, 2026
Ricky further emphasised the scale of Priyanka’s Hollywood career by listing some of her co-stars, which include Idris Elba, Dwayne Johnson, Keanu Reeves, Karl Urban, Richard Madden, Stanley Tucci, Will Ferrell, Anthony Mackie, John Cena and Pedro Pascal, among others. He pointed out that Priyanka has consistently played mainstream, substantial roles rather than being limited to stereotypical or “exotic Indian” characters.
According to Ricky, Priyanka is widely recognised as a versatile performer capable of excelling in action, comedy and drama. Beyond acting, he also highlighted her humanitarian work as a UNICEF ambassador and her efforts to give back to society. He concluded his message by wishing her success for her upcoming Netflix film The Bluff.
On the professional front, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has an exciting lineup of projects that reflect her global reach. One of her most anticipated films is SS Rajamouli’s ambitious project Varanasi, in which she stars alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Priyanka plays the role of Mandakini, while Mahesh Babu essays Rudhra and Prithviraj portrays Kumbha. Scheduled for a Sankranti 2027 release, the film will also mark Priyanka’s debut in Telugu cinema, adding another milestone to her already diverse career.
In Hollywood, she will return for the second season of the popular web series Citadel, further cementing her position in international streaming content. She will also headline The Bluff, a period drama where she plays a 19th-century Caribbean pirate opposite Karl Urban, showcasing yet another bold and unconventional role choice.
Priyanka was last seen in the action thriller Heads of State, where she starred alongside Idris Elba and John Cena. With a career that spans continents, genres and languages, Priyanka Chopra Jonas continues to break barriers—proving that what was once dismissed as a “stupid move” has now become one of the most inspiring success stories of Indian cinema on the global stage.