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Tag: Priyanka Chopra Jonas

  • Myopic, small mentality: Priyanka on questions about length of her role in new ‘Matrix’ movie

    By PTI

    Priyanka Chopra Jonas says people who trivialise her role in The Matrix Resurrections on the basis of her screen time in the film have a “myopic” and “small mentality”.

    Chopra Jonas stars as Sati, an exiled program, in the Lana Wachowski-directed movie alongside Keanu Reeves as Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity.

    During a recent interview with Asian Sunday TV, the actor was asked the reason for taking the part, considering it wasn’t a lead character.

    “I think you are coming from something which a lot of people from the South Asian community ask me. ‘It’s a small role, it’s not a leading role, why did you do it?’ Because it’s ‘The Matrix’ and I play an extremely pivotal part.”

    “Even when I picked my movies in Bollywood, I have always picked roles according to characters and they are not necessarily always the lead. The lead is Carrie-Anne Moss, who played Trinity in the last three movies. You’re not competing with that and I think it’s such a myopic and very small mentality to think that way,”” Chopra Jonas replied.

    In recent years, the 39-year-old actor has gained prominence in Hollywood with her work in the TV show “Quantico” and films, including “Baywatch” and “Isn’t It Romantic”.

    Back home in Bollywood, she is regarded as one of the most versatile performers with films such as “Fashion”, “Barfi”, “Don” series, “Kaminey”, “Bajirao Mastani” to her credit.

    Chopra Jonas said it is her belief that every actor on board for a film contributes to the story.

    “This (‘The Matrix’) is an ensemble of incredible actors and I think by asking that question, you really reduce the grandiosity of being a part of the playground of playing with such incredible people,” she added.

    Chopra Jonas’s upcoming slate of films includes Jim Strouse-directed rom-com “Text For You”, Amazon thriller series “Citadel”, produced by Russo Brothers, and “Sangeet”, an unscripted series co-produced with her husband.

    She will also produce a film with Amazon Studios on the life of Ma Anand Sheela, the former aide to late godman Osho Rajneesh.

  • Hope I am cast in bigger roles in international films post ‘Matrix Resurrections’: Purab Kohli

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Purab Kohli hopes that his role of a game developer in “Matrix Resurrections” opens doors for more international offers and people in the West take notice of him as an actor.

    Kohli, who previously worked with director Lana Wachowski in 2014 on “Sense8”, said he was beaming with joy after he was roped in for the fourth chapter of the “Matrix”.

    “This is such a big film and you are part of it and clearly a noticeable part. I think it will kind of make an impression. Fingers crossed, people will look at casting me in bigger parts and trust that as an actor I could carry on bigger parts in films that are as big as this,” Kohli, who has moved to London, told PTI in a zoom interview.

    “The world is becoming very global, especially in the entertainment front when you have options to watch so many things and films are crossing over. So, I think it’s a good time to be placed where I am placed.”

    “The Matrix Resurrections” will see the return of Keanu Reeves as Neo, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity and Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe, besides new additions to the cast including Indian actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jessica Henwick, Christina Ricci, Neil Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff.

    The 42-year-old actor, best known for movies such as “My Brother… Nikhil”, “I Am”, “Rock On!” series, said he never thought he would be a part of the Matrix franchise.

    “But after a point the whole ‘ho ha’ of working with Lana Wachowski goes in the back, you get attached to the genius Lana Wachowski, the way she thinks cinema and the way she paints on the canvas and understands the medium so well. So, when you hear about the fourth installment of the ‘Matrix’ being made and you’re a part of it, there’s a curious mind wondering what she is going to do now.”

    The actor may appear in a handful of scenes in “The Matrix Resurrections” but he recalls having read the entire script and being bowled over by the vision of the makers.

    “I read the whole bound script in one go, and it was a hard copy that came to me. When I put it down and I looked at my wife and said, wow, this is really amazing and she’s just gonna blow the world again,” he said.

    Speaking of how he landed the role in the movie, Kohli shared he didn’t audition for the movie because the director was aware of his work, courtesy “Sense8”.

    “I didn’t audition for ‘Matrix’ because I had worked with Lana on ‘Sense8′, which I auditioned for a couple of times and then also did reading before I got cast. That was the tough one. But once Lana trusted I could act and I think for the ‘Matrix’ it was just a sheer honour that she just thought of me for the part,” he added.

    Having admired Keanu Reeves since his growing up years, the actor said it was a huge moment to work alongside the Hollywood star.

    “To work with him, sit next to him and do a scene was just really good. He’s not a big star, he is so simple, easy and comfortable and really relaxed. Like every other actor, he’s just trying his best to give his best, asking the same questions you ask the director,” Kohli said.

    “The most endearing thing about Keanu is that he is that real person and has no qualms showing it. He’s just being himself and that makes it easy and comfortable to work with him.”

    The actor did not share any scenes with Carrie-Anne Moss but off-camera he had a great interaction with her.

    Kohli also shared that he didn’t get a chance to meet Chopra Jonas, as the two were filming in different countries then.

    Besides Reeves and Anne Moss, Kohli was thrilled to collaborate up again with his team from “Sense8”, on the movie.

    “There are a lot of people in the scene that I’m in, I knew already from before, a couple were actors on ‘Sense8’, but there were those who were not actors but were part of the ‘Sense8’ family. ‘Matrix’ is a global family, from all over the world, including people who worked behind the scenes, come in front of the camera. In a way, Lana kind of orchestrates us to be together every now and then.”

    Warner Bros Pictures released “The Matrix Resurrections” in India on December 22 in Tamil, Telugu, English and Hindi.

  • ‘She is here’: Priyanka Chopra shares first look from ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas features in a never-seen-before avatar in her much-anticipated Hollywood film ‘The Matrix Resurrections’.

    The upcoming fourth chapter in the popular sci-fi film franchise, “The Matrix Resurrections”, is written and helmed by Lana Wachowski, who along with her sister Lilly Wachowski directed the previous three titles — “The Matrix”, “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions”.

    Hollywood star Keanu Reeves plays the lead role of Neo in the Warner Bros Pictures-backed movie series.

    Priyanka, who was missing from the first poster of the film but made an intriguing appearance in the trailer, unveiled her character look on Instagram.

    And she’s here.Re-enter #TheMatrix 12.22.21 pic.twitter.com/y7ynNchiEX
    — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) November 22, 2021
    “And she’s here. Re-enter #TheMatrix 12.22.21,” she wrote alongside the poster which features her dressed in a printed jacket teamed up with loose pants and knee-high boots and her hair tied in braided short buns.

    Details of her character in the film are still under wraps.

    “The Matrix Resurrections” also stars Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick and Neil Patrick Harris.

    The film is slated to be released worldwide theatrically on December 22.

  • Nick Jonas reflects on his diabetes diagnosis during National Diabetes Month

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: American singer Nick Jonas, who has been suffering from Type 1 diabetes since he was 14, has been quite vocal about it. The singer-actor, who is very particular about his health, whether it comes to working out or eating right, recently honoured National Diabetes Month with his latest social media post.

    The ‘Jonas Brothers’ singer took to his Instagram account on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, to share a selfie and opened up about his diabetes diagnosis.

    He wrote, “In honour of National Diabetes Month, I’ve been recognising #SeeDiabetes heroes on my story every day.”

    The singer further talked about how he first felt “frightened” after learning about his diagnosis but with the help of his “incredible support system” he regained the strength to “push through”.

    “Today resonates with me personally because it’s the 16th anniversary of my diagnosis. I was thirteen, playing shows with my brothers.. And I knew in my gut that something wasn’t right, so I went to my parents and told them I needed to see the doctor. After going over my symptoms, my pediatrician informed me that I had Type 1 diabetes. All the symptoms were in line with an undiagnosed Type 1. I was devastated – frightened… Did this mean my dream of touring the world and playing our music had to end? But I was committed, just like I always have been, to not letting it slow me down. There are tough days but I have an incredible support system I can rely on to help me push through and not be hard on myself when I’m feeling low,” he added.

    The singer concluded his post by tagging his company, Beyond Type 1, which aims to educate kids through social media on how to live life with diabetes.

    “I’m also thankful to have the technology from @dexcom to know where my glucose numbers are headed in real-time. That added peace of mind really means a lot, and I’m spending more time in range than ever. Learn more about my diagnosis and journey as a Type 1 over at @beyondtype1,” he signed off. 

  • Sorry that my participation disappointed many of you: Priyanka Chopra reacts to ‘The Activist’ controversy

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas is feeling sorry for unintentionally hurting the sentiments of a section of people with her upcoming show ‘The Activist’.

    For the unversed, ‘The Activist’ is a competitive series, which aims to pit several activists and public figures against each other in order to promote their causes on social media with the goal of securing the highest amount of funding to win the game.

    However, the format of the show did not go down well with many. A lot of people on social media called out the makers for being tone-deaf and insensitive.

    After facing huge backlash, the makers changed the format of ‘The Activist’. They shifted its five-episode format to a one-time documentary special.

    Addressing the ongoing controversy, Priyanka, who is one of the hosts of the show, took to her Instagram on Friday to apologise to people for disappointing them.

    “I have been moved by the power of your voices over the past week. At its core, Activism is fuelled by cause and effect, and when people come together to raise their voice about something, there is always an effect. You were heard. The show got it wrong, and I’m sorry that my participation in it disappointed many of you,” she wrote.

    ALSO READ | Format of Priyanka Chopra’s new show ‘The Activist’ changed due to criticism

    “The intention was always to bring attention to the people behind the ideas and highlight the actions and impact of the causes they support tirelessly. I’m happy to know that in this new format, their stories will be the highlight, and I’m proud to collaborate with partners who have their ear to the ground and know when it’s time to hit pause and re-evaluate,” Priyanka added.

    She further said, “There is a global community of activists who fight the fight every single day and put their blood, sweat and tears into creating change, but more often than not, they are rarely heard or acknowledged. Their work is so important and they too deserve to be recognized and celebrated. Thank you to each and every one of you for all that you do.”

    Usher and Julianne Hough are also the hosts of ‘The Activist’.

  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas joins Producers Guild of America as member

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has inducted actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas as a member of the organisation.

    According to its official website, the PGA is a non-profit trade organisation that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media.

    It has over 8,000 members spanning the full Producing Team in Scripted, Non-Fiction, Documentary, Animation, and New Media sectors.

    The guild shared the announcement on Twitter.

    #MembershipMonday: @producersguild welcomes actress, singer, and film producer @priyankachopra as a member. Ms. Chopra Jonas has 14 producer credits to her name, including an executive producer credit for #TheWhiteTiger. pic.twitter.com/bIzTj4bRtY
    — Producers Guild of America (@producersguild) September 13, 2021
    “#MembershipMonday: @producersguild welcomes actress, singer, and film producer @priyankachopra as a member. Ms. Chopra Jonas has 14 producer credits to her name, including an executive producer credit for #TheWhiteTiger,” the post read.

    The 39-year-old actor expressed her gratitude towards the PGA on Twitter on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.

    “Grateful to be inducted. Thank you @producersguild,” Priyanka wrote.

    The Indian actor made a name for herself in Bollywood with movies such as “Fashion”, “Kaminey” and “Bajirao Mastani”.

    She is one of the few stars from Bollywood to have embarked on a successful career in the West with the TV show “Quantico” as well as films, including “Baywatch” and “Isn’t It Romantic”.

    She also runs a production house, Purple Pebbles Pictures, which has backed the National Award-winning Marathi films “Ventilator” and “Paani”.

    Priyanka most recently executive produced and starred in Ramin Bahrani’s “The White Tiger”, which was released on Netflix earlier this year.

    The film, based on Aravind Adiga’s 2008 novel of the same name, was nominated for best adapted screenplay at the 93rd Academy Awards.

    The actor will next be seen in the highly-anticipated “The Matrix: Resurrections”, starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

    Some of her forthcoming projects are the rom-com film “Text For You”, the Amazon Prime Video’s thriller series “Citadel”, a film on spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh’s aide Ma Anand Sheela, and Farhan Akhtar’s directorial “Jee Le Zaraa” alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt.

  • Want to become a better version of myself: Adarsh Gourav

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Critical success of Ramin Bahrani’s “The White Tiger” as well as a BAFTA nomination for his performance in the film has given Adarsh Gourav access to opportunities and the actor says he wants the make most of it by choosing unique characters.

    The Jamshedpur-born actor was nominated for the leading actor BAFTA for his role of Balram, the quintessential underdog, from a poor low-caste family.

    Based on Aravind Adiga’s Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, “The White Tiger” follows Balram’s (Gourav) rise from a poor villager to a successful entrepreneur in India, showcasing how hunger and lack of opportunity can build and drive a human being’s animal instinct of survival.

    It also featured Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Rajkummar Rao.

    Gourav said going ahead he wants to keep evolving as an individual and an artiste.

    ““I do not feel a sense of pressure in terms of what I will do next. All I know is, I want to do films that engage me and the audience. I want to keep changing and evolving as an individual. I want to become a better version of myself,”” the actor told PTI in a Zoom interview.

    He added that he would not like to restrict himself and keep learning and exploring newer things in life.

    ““I want to work globally. Work in all languages, learn new languages. I hope, I have the time to do that. My driving force in life is to pick up new things and chase them completely and try to master them in some way. I want to be part of unique stories, play different characters with ease and that will come with age and experience.”

    The international acclaim combined with award nominations at Independent Spirit award and AACTA award led to increased media attention and better offers for the 27-year-old actor, who has previously appeared in movies “My Name is Khan”, “Mom” and Netflix series “Leila”.

    The actor said he has read a lot of scripts in the past few months and there are some interesting offers, but he is not in a position to divulge any details until the official announcement.

    ““There are a lot more auditions happening and access to opportunities than before. I have read a lot of scripts; spoken to filmmakers I have aspired to work with. “Things are looking good. But there is only so much I can talk about because there is no official announcement on my future projects. But there are a bunch of interesting things happening next year.”

    Gourav said as a child he never intended to be an actor, but now he does aim to excel in the craft.

    He has also made a wishlist of directors he would like to work with and that includes Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, Devashish Makhija among others.

    “”It (acting) happened accidentally. I was singing at a place and someone asked me if I want to try out acting and I said, why not. I was just an enthusiastic kid. I gave it a shot and it worked then. It was purely an accident, I never intended to be an actor,”” he said.

    The actor will now be seen reprising his role of Ankit Pandey in the second season of “Hostel Daze”, directed by Amir Musanna and Sangram Naiksatam.

    The Amazon Prime Video show, which will be out on July 23, captures the hostel culture of an engineering college.

    The actor said in the sophomore season newer arcs are being explored in terms of relationship dynamics and the individual journey of every character.

    “”This is the only show that I am part of that has had a sequel. For the second season, I did watch the first part and sort of revise, jog my memory through my character arc and all of that. Having said that, the character has been established (in season two), you understand his sense of morality, ethics, thought process better,”” he said.

    Besides Gourav, the comedy-drama series also stars Luv Vispute, Shubham Gaur, Nikhil Vijay, Ahsaas Channa and Ayushi Gupta.

  • Priyanka Chopra to Katy Perry: Celebrities ask G7 countries to donate 20% of their COVID vaccines

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Personalities including actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Olivia Colman, Liam Neeson and singer Katy Perry have signed an open letter by the UNICEF, asking G7 countries to donate 20 per cent of their vaccines to countries which need it urgently.

    The letter, shared on UNICEF’s website, stated that the upcoming G7 Summit will be a vital opportunity to ensure that vaccines are able to reach the “vulnerable populations” across the world.

    Actors Whoopi Goldberg, Orlando Bloom, Ewan McGregor, Tea Leoni, Lucy Liu, Alyssa Milano, singers Pink, Liam Payne, Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, veteran model Claudia Schiffer, former football star David Beckham, tennis star Andy Murray are also among the 29 personalities from all walks of life who have also signed the aforementioned statement.

    The three-day summit, scheduled to be held from June 11 to 13 in Cornwall, UK, will cover a range of issues, with a particular focus on how the group can lead the global recovery from coronavirus.

    It is the first time the G7 leaders are meeting since the pandemic set in.

    “The pandemic will not be over anywhere until it is over everywhere, and that means getting vaccines to every country, as quickly and equitably as possible.

    “This weekend’s G7 Summit is a vital opportunity for you to agree the actions that will get vaccines where they are most needed, fast,” the letter read.

    According to the statement, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is delivering vaccines on behalf of COVAX, the international vaccine equity initiative, but right now, “COVAX is 190 million doses short of where it needs to be.”

    “Some countries have committed to donating vaccines later this year, but doses are needed now.

    UNICEF analysis shows that G7 countries will soon have enough doses to donate 20 per cent of their vaccines between June and August, over 150 million doses, without significant delay to current plans to vaccinate their adult populations.

    “We’re asking you to make these urgent donations by August and to set out a roadmap to scale up donations as supplies increase,” the letter read.

    Earlier, over 200 world leaders, including former presidents, prime ministers and ministers backed a campaign urging the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations to help vaccinate the world’s poorest from low-income economies against COVID-19 by paying two-thirds of an estimated USD 66 billion required.

    India has been invited as a guest country to the three-day event and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to join discussions on health and climate change virtually.

    The coronavirus has claimed over 3,730,500 lives, along with more than 173,360,900 cases of confirmed infections across the world, according to Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.

    ALSO WATCH:

  • Oscars 2021: Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas to announce nominations

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star couple Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas will be announcing the nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards on March 15.

    The announcement was made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in a statement posted on its official website.

    The nominees for all 23 categories will be revealed in a two-part presentation which will be streamed live on Oscars.com, Oscars.org and across the Academy’s digital platforms — Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

    Chopra Jonas also shared the news in a hilarious video posted on her Twitter handle.

    Taking a leaf out of a popular trend on TikTok, the 38-year-old actor asked in the video, “Tell me we are announcing the Oscar nominations without telling me we are announcing Oscar nominations.” But Jonas, who was standing behind her, reminded her that she has already told her fans that they will be announcing the nominations.

    “Well, that’s good enough. We are announcing the Oscar nominations,” Chopra Jonas then said as she concluded the video.

    In the caption on Twitter, the actor wrote, “Hey The Academy, any chance I can announce the Oscar nominations solo? Just kidding, love you, Nick Jonas! We are so excited to be announcing the #OscarNoms on Monday, March 15th at 5:19AM PDT! Watch it live on youtube.com/Oscars.”

    This will be the first time the couple will be announcing the Academy Award nominations.

    In the previous editions of the award ceremony, they have taken to the stage to present awards for various categories.

    The 93rd Academy Awards were previously scheduled to be held on February 28 but got postponed to April 25 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Awe-inspiring to see ‘The White Tiger’ being embraced by people worldwide: Priyanka Chopra Jonas

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Saturday penned an emotional note for the love and acceptance her Netflix film “The White Tiger” has received.

    Based on author Aravind Adiga’s 2008 novel of the same name, the movie started streaming on Netflix from January 22.

    Taking to Instagram, the actor shared the film’s poster and revealed that the Ramin Bahrani-directed movie has been on the Top 10 film list in 64 countries.

    The film, which also features Adarsh Gourav and Rajkummar Rao, has been watched in 27 million households in its first four weeks of release.The White Tiger

    ALSO READ | BAFTA 2021: Priyanka Chopra, Adarsh Gourav feature on longlists for ‘The White Tiger’

    “It’s so emotional for me to see the discovery and acceptance of this brilliant incredible story. ‘The White Tiger’ being embraced by audiences all over the world is awe inspiring,” Chopra Jonas wrote.

    The 38-year-old actor-producer thanked Bahrani, Adiga and the cast and crew of “The White Tiger” for their hard work and making the film a success.

    “Congrats and thank you to Aravind, Ramin, Adarsh, Raj, Mukul, Ava and everyone involved. Thank you Netflix for giving our little movie wings. #grateful,” she added.

    “The White Tiger” chronicled the extraordinary journey of a driver named, Balram (Gourav).

    It follows Balram’s rise from a poor villager to a successful entrepreneur in India, showcasing how hunger and lack of opportunity can build and drive a human being’s animal instinct of survival.

    Chopra Jonas stars as Pinky Madam, a first-generation immigrant in the US, who is married to Rao’s character Ashok.

    She also served as an executive producer on the film along with Emmy award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay.

    Netflix has produced the movie in association with Mukul Deora.