‘Felt restricted in Hindi films’: Priyanka Chopra reveals why she moved abroad

In a recent interview with Firstpost, Priyanka said she never intended to leave Bollywood but felt creatively restricted while working in the Hindi film industry.

“I don’t think I ever wanted to leave Bollywood. I felt limited for many reasons when I was working in Hindi films. I was looking for opportunities that felt exciting to me as an artist and I landed up working in America,” she told the news outlet.

She added that her 12-year journey in Hollywood has empowered her to make more confident and selective career choices.

Despite her international success, Priyanka remains keen to continue working in Indian cinema while maintaining a balance between the two industries.

“After 12 years, I am finding the momentum in choosing work. But at the same time, I love my work in India. I am really excited to be doing Varanasi in India again. I would hate to have to choose between the two. I straddle both the worlds and I enjoy working in both the industries. They are both different in many ways, just as cultures,” the 43-year-old said.

Priyanka made her Bollywood debut with Andaaz in 2003 and went on to earn acclaim with films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Aitraaz, Krrish, Don, Fashion, Dostana, Kaminey, Barfi! and Mary Kom.

She began her international journey through music singles such as “In My City” and “Exotic,” which helped her gain recognition in American pop culture.

Her breakthrough in the West came with the ABC thriller series Quantico. She made her Hollywood film debut with Baywatch, where she played antagonist Victoria Leeds, and later appeared in Isn't It Romantic, The Matrix Resurrections and Love Again, cementing her position in mainstream Hollywood.

Priyanka’s immediate next release is The Bluff, an action pirate thriller slated to premiere on Prime Video on February 25. This will be followed by her major Indian comeback in filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli’s epic adventure Varanasi, scheduled for release next year.