After taking over American television as the FBI recruit-turned-prime suspect for a terrorist attack, Alex Parish, in ABC’s FBI drama Quantico, Priyanka Chopra has quickly become America’s sweetheart even though critics wondered if audiences will be able to relate with the Indian actress and if her character is only going to play up stereotypes. However, in a recent interview, the actress revealed that she agreed to the show only to break existing stereotypes against Indian cinema and actors.
“I will never be the stereotype of what people think India should be. [And] that’s what I did in Quantico. Did you see me doing the stereotype of an Indian in that? Even in Baywatch, I am not. I feel that we can be anything,” she told IANS.
She also informed that when ABC came to her, the only thing she told them was that she is a leading actress and she will only agree if she is offered a lead role. “I read 26 scripts; they just signed me as a talent because they wanted to work with me. Then I told them that I don’t want to do anything which is a stereotype of how you see an Indian. Alex was not written for an Indian girl but an American girl,” she shared.
“I didn’t want them to change the name or anything. In fact, I added the mother being an Indian, and lots of cultural things which made Alex (Parrish) very rich as a character. It made her interesting. I don’t think art should have barriers of geography, language, colour or creed or anything. Art is art,” she added.
The actress, who has recently won a Padma Shri Award back home, also won her first international honour for Best Actress in a new TV series at the People’s Choice Awards for her performance in Quantico. Pee Cee is all set for her debut Hollywood film Baywatch and is also gearing up for the second season of Quantico.
Courtesy : The News
