'You have to hustle for it': Priyanka Chopra reveals her struggle against nepotism in Hindi cinema

In an industry swarming with star kids, one name rose above the nepotism and politics to etch an indelible mark in both Bollywood and Hollywood — Priyanka Chopra. The actress, candidly baring her trials in the Hindi film industry, once boldly proclaimed on Koffee With Karan, "I don't have a Bollywood role model." It's a testament to her relentless hustle and defiance of the norms of Hindi cinema.

Priyanka's Unapologetic Journey from Bollywood to Hollywood

Having dipped her toes in both pools of Hindi and Western cinema, Priyanka has become a symbol of cross-cultural success. A distinct feature of her career has been the careful selection of roles that break South Asian stereotypes, as reported by News18. Yet, these triumphs didn't come easy. 

With an undercurrent of determination, she once said, "I was being pushed into a corner in the [Bollywood] industry. I had beef with people, I am not good at playing that game, so I kind of was tired of the politics and I said I needed a break."

Chopra's Hollywood Rise Amid Bollywood's Nepotism Storm

Interestingly, her path to Hollywood was paved with music. Frustrated with Bollywood’s politics, she viewed her songs like “In My City" and “Exotic" as her escape route. 

Priyanka didn't shy away from discussing the elephant in the room — nepotism. "I was terrified when those 6 movies didn’t do well because I'm not a nepo baby. You don’t have your uncle making a movie for you just because your last one tanked, right? You have to get it, and you have to hustle for it,” she expressed on the Armchair Expert podcast.

Her courage to address the prevalent nepotism in Bollywood has drawn widespread attention and sparked discussions. Unlike the spoon-fed star kids, Priyanka had to fight tooth and nail for each opportunity she received. 

Today, Chopra's calendar is chock-full with Hollywood projects, like Heads of State alongside big names like Idris Elba and John Cena. Rumors continue to swirl about her leaving Bollywood film Jee Le Zaraa, but the truth remains untold.

In the face of Bollywood's daunting politics, Priyanka Chopra stands as a beacon of self-made success, a testimony to relentless hustle, and a beacon of Indian culture in the West. 

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)