Priyanka Chopra has been a source of immense national pride ever since she won the Miss World title in 2000. Her victory opened doors to numerous film offers, leading to a successful career in entertainment.
However, her hometown of Bareilly did not entirely support her achievement. Her mother, Madhu Chopra, revealed that there was a negative perception at the time, with some people believing that beauty pageants exploited women.
In an interview on the Something Bigger Show on YouTube, Madhu Chopra, Priyanka’s mother, discussed her daughter’s Miss World win and recalled that when Priyanka returned to Bareilly, the local community did not celebrate her success.
Madhu explained that, at the time, many people believed that beauty pageants were exploitative, with some even arguing that they objectified and shamed women. This led to significant obstacles in arranging Priyanka’s visit to Bareilly, and it was subject to numerous restrictions.
Priyanka was ultimately allowed to visit, but only within the military area. Her welcome celebration was held at the Army club and attended only by Army officers, with no civilians allowed to participate. Madhu expressed her disappointment, noting that while Priyanka’s Miss World win was a monumental achievement, her hometown failed to recognize it. Despite this, Priyanka remained resolute.
Madhu Chopra emphasized that Priyanka was never exploited and pursued her career independently. She took advantage of the opportunities presented to her and excelled with poise and confidence. When Priyanka arrived in Mumbai, the reception was vastly different—she was warmly welcomed by her fans and inundated with film offers.
Initially, Priyanka was hesitant to join the film industry, prioritizing her education. However, she eventually made her acting debut in the Tamil film Thamizhan alongside Vijay. Her Bollywood debut came in 2003 with the film The Hero: Love Story of a Spy.
