Priyanka joins cast of ‘Quantico’

Bollywood’s desi girl gets a big break with debut American TV show<br /> .

Many Bollywood actors have tried their hand at getting a ticket to Hollywood, but only a few have been able to bag plum roles in the coveted industry. With the exception of acting virtuosos, such as Irrfan Khan and Om Puri, most B-town actors have done B-grade roles in Tinseltown. But the trend continues, with many young actors jumping on the Hollywood bandwagon. Priyanka Chopra, former Miss World, a versatile actor and newfound pop diva, seems to have gotten the biggest break of them all. She is set to make her Hollywood debut in the upcoming ABC drama Quantico, centring on the FBI, reported The Times of India.

She has been based in the US for several months now with the hope to break into the industry. And now, she will play the role of Alex, one of the leads on the show, who discovers that the romantic interest she met on a flight (Jake McLaughlin) is actually an FBI agent. The series itself centres on the life of agents at FBI (Quantico in Virginia is the HQ of FBI and also has a marine base), among whom is a sleeper-terrorist who played a role in 9/11.

It’s too early to define the depth and prominence of Chopra’s role, given that such serials are written and filmed on the run. If American audiences accept her in a mainline role and if the serial gets extended into future seasons, she will reach new heights in her already diversified career.

Many Indian actors are now appearing on major American TV shows. They include Dev Patel in Newsroom, Kunal Nayyar in Big Bang Theory and Anil Kapoor in 24. Among the ladies, Poorna Jagannathan of Delhi Belly fame, and who has also shifted base to the US, played a cameo in House of Cards season three and also features in HBO’s Criminal Justice.

Priyanka has graced Bollywood with several hits. She recently ventured into the music industry with three singles last year. She also did a voiceover for the character Ishani in Disney’s movie Planes. But let’s wish Quantico gives wings to her Hollywood dream.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  11^th,  2015.

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