Happy Birthday Desi Girl!!!
Every July 18th on her birthday, it's worth celebrating the
extraordinary journey of Priyanka Chopra Jonas—from a pageant queen in India to
a global icon.
Here's the career story everyone should know:
Early Life & Pageant Breakthrough
Born on 18 July 1982 in Jamshedpur, Bihar (now Jharkhand),
she was raised in an army family and moved across cities in India, fostering
adaptability and cultural insight from childhood. At 18, she won Miss India and
Miss World 2000, launching her into the public eye and jumpstarting her
entertainment career.
Rise in Bollywood
Priyanka made her Bollywood debut with The Hero: Love Story
of a Spy (2003), followed by hits like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Aitraaz—the
latter earning her an award for playing a daring antagonist.
Her powerful performance in Fashion (2008) earned her the
National Film Award for Best Actress, redefining leading roles for women in
Indian cinema.
Subsequently, she challenged norms with roles in 7 Khoon
Maaf, Barfi! (as an autistic character), and Mary Kom—the latter involving
intense physical training for her portrayal of the Olympic boxer, earning
awards and acclaim.
Also read: Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ 5 Must-Watch Acting Performances To Watch On Her Birthday
Global Breakthrough
By 2010, Chopra had begun exploring music and Hollywood
opportunities, releasing singles like “In My City” (2012) and “Exotic” (2013).
Though they garnered attention, her impact remained limited in the U.S. music
charts.
Her international breakthrough came with Quantico
(2015–2018) where she became the first South Asian woman to lead an American
network drama series, winning two People’s Choice Awards.
She transitioned into Hollywood cinema with films like
Baywatch (2017), Isn’t It Romantic (2019), The White Tiger (2021), Matrix
Resurrections (2021), and Love Again (2023).
Her Ventures in Film Production & Social Impact
A strong advocate for representation, Priyanka Chopra Jonas founded Purple
Pebble Pictures in 2015 to promote regional Indian cinema—producing
award-winning films like Ventilator and Paani (Marathi), the latter winning a
National Film Award for environmental conservation storytelling.
Her philanthropic heart is evident in the Priyanka Chopra
Foundation for Health and Education (est. 2011), and her decade-long commitment
as a National and global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 2016, addressing
children’s rights and gender equality on a global scale.
Entrepreneurship
& Authorship
Priyanka’s business acumen shines through ventures like
Anomaly Hair Care (launched 2021), a vegan sustainable brand that ranks among
top celeb beauty lines, and the Sona Indian‐fusion restaurant in New York
launched in March 2021.
She also co-created Sona Home, a homeware line reflecting Indian
aesthetics. Further, she served as executive producer on impactful films and
documentaries like To Kill a Tiger and The White Tiger.
In 2021, her memoir Unfinished quickly became a New York
Times bestseller, revealing the determination that drives her multifaceted
journey.
Awards & Honors
Padma Shri (2016), India’s esteemed civilian honor
Featured on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list (2016),
and on Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women (2017–18)
Garnered multiple international “firsts” for Indian
artists—like being the first Indian woman on Vogue US cover, and the first
South Asian actress to win a People’s Choice Award for television.
What’s Next?
Priyanka remains grounded and ambitious. Upcoming projects
include a swashbuckling action drama The Bluff, and she continues her lead role
in Amazon’s Citadel series—where she achieved pay parity with her male
co-star—a rarity in the industry.
Why Her Journey Matters
Priyanka Chopra Jonas embodies relentless ambition with
purpose. From reshaping Bollywood narratives to breaking barriers in Hollywood,
she’s expanded what it means to be an Indian artist. Her dedication to representation,
entrepreneurship, and philanthropy makes her story a source of global
inspiration.
On her birthday, celebrate not just her extraordinary
achievements—but the powerful path she’s forged for future generations.
Tags: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Bollywood, actress, Padam Shri,
Amazon Citadel, Hollywood