Priyanka Chopra 'disheartened' by criticism from South Asian community

Priyanka Chopra 'disheartened' by criticism from South Asian community

Priyanka Chopra says there's a “sense of cynicism” from people in her own community, who pick on her for "no reason". 

Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra/ Instagram

She's a successful actress, singer, film producer, and now author, but Priyanka Chopra says she sometimes feels "disheartened” by the criticism she receives from the South Asian community. 

The 38-year-old says she has many fans from her community who support the work she does, but she also has a lot of critics.

"I do notice a sense of protectiveness from a lot of people but also, you know, a sense of cynicism and a sense of negativity from a lot of people... Picking on me for no reason," she said on the BBC Asian Network's Beyond Bollywood podcast. 

ALSO READ: Priyanka Chopra admits she was shocked when Nick Jonas proposed after two months

The former Miss Universe says she recently spoke to actress Mindy Kaling about the issue. 

"We were talking about, why is it that you get so much negativity from your own community? [There are] very few brown people who are in the entertainment business in Hollywood, you can count us on your fingers. 

"We're literally, with our own two hands, trying to create more opportunity for people like us. So, why is there so much sort of negativity for us when we're trying to do something which will be a win for all of us?" she asked

Priyanka said when she started working in Hollywood, she realised it's not "normal to people's consciousness that a leading man or woman can be Indian in a mainstream Hollywood show".

Priyanka has achieved major success in both Bollywood and Hollywood. She has starred in several big TV shows and movies including 'Quantico', 'Baywatch', 'We Can Be Heroes', and 'Isn't It Romantic'. 

Listen to what she had to say in the clip below. 

ALSO READ: Priyanka Chopra surprises Nick Jonas with the sweetest anniversary gift ever

Show's Stories