Painters, poets should be equally responsible to spread social awareness: Priyanka Chopra

Actor refuses to accept the responsibility of putting across important social messages lies only with Bollywood

Priyanka Chopra was recently awarded an honourary doctorate degree by Bareilly International University. The actor missed the event since her flight delayed.

With clear excitement in her voice, the Baywatch star interacted with youngsters at UNICEF, at a recent event organised in Delhi, reported Hindustan Times.

Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra. PHOTO: DNA INDIA

The former Miss World and a renowned actor, who has proved her acting mettle both in the West and in India, refuses to accept that the responsibility of putting across important social messages lies only with the film industry for she believes that film industry is an entertainment business.



The Quantico actor said, “The film industry is an entertainment business. You watch films for entertainment also. Every film does not necessarily need to have a message to it. It is about fiction and stories and it’s unfair to put the onus of the entire nation only on the film industry. Why not then ask the painters, authors, poets and others to spread awareness and bring a change.”

Talking about the doctorate degree being presented to her, Priyanka talked to the reporters, and said “Mom will be really ecstatic tpday, and I think my dad only made it happen! Because it was their life’s dream for me to become a doctor. And then I didn’t.”

PHOTO: MARIE CLAIRE

The 35-year-old actor, who lost her father in 2013, adds, “My dad would have been most excited today.”

Priyanka has often regretted that she couldn’t pursue higher studies. “I never wanted to be a doctor, anyway! I had blood phobia, and would faint [at the sight of blood]. I like numbers, and physics, and wanted to be an engineer more than anything,” she says.



“I’ve been offered honorary doctorates before, a couple of times. But, this was from Bareilly International University. Bareilly is my hometown, it’s where my roots are. That’s what’s more special... There was no way I couldn’t have been a part of it. My mom and brother are coming for the ceremony in Bareilly, and it’s gonna be a whole family affair.” (Though this didn’t happen later, as fog played spoilsport.)

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Priyanka Chopra at Oscars 2017. PHOTO: E! ONLINE

“Being the only woman there, that’s bittersweet for me. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had the achievements I’ve had, which puts me in that position, and I have that power, on par with a lot of my male colleagues. I work really hard. I don’t take vacations or [off on] New Years. Since I’ve come to India, I’ve only been working. And I’m rewarded for it. I also live my life in two countries,” says the actor, who starred in the American TV show, Quantico, and a film, Baywatch.



“It’s really difficult. But, at the same time, it makes me feel like... look at the disparity! You know the disparity that we keep talking about, it’s still there,” she adds.

We ask how she feels about charging a couple of crores for a performance at an award function — a news that made headlines early this July. And Priyanka exclaims, “Oh my God! If I’m made to feel guilty about it, then what will happen to those boys [male actors]? The boys who for seconds take crores. I don’t pay attention to such... what’s that word... Good riddance to bad rubbish. My work matters, my achievements matter, and I don’t let anyone pull me down.”'



She said every individual can contribute towards a better nation and doesn’t necessarily need to be rich or in power for giving back to the society. “You don’t need to be rich to make a difference. It is not about money always. You can contribute through your compassion, your passion and by spreading a word,” quipped Priyanka.

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