Parineeti Chopra, a well-known actor in the vibrant world of Bollywood, has recently been the talk of the town, not only for her stellar performance in the acclaimed film ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ but also for her candid confession about the inner workings of the film industry. Shedding light on the stark realities of Bollywood, Parineeti expressed her thoughts on how networking influences an actor’s career trajectory in an illuminating interview with Bollywood Hungama.
The actress, who portrayed the role of Amarjot Kaur, the wife of the legendary singer Chamkila in ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, opened up about the challenges artists face when not a part of the industry’s infamous ‘cliques and camps’. She lamented missing out on roles due to her absence from the social scene where many career-defining discussions occur. “I don’t go to dinners and lunches or attend parties where work opportunities are created in Bollywood or those roles are discussed,” Parineeti shared, highlighting her desire for work to be the key factor in securing roles. Despite winning a National Award for her performance in ‘Ishaqzaade’ a decade earlier, she feels that the quality of her craft often takes a backseat to her social visibility.
The talented actress, who comes from a family known in the entertainment world, with Priyanka Chopra as her cousin, openly admitted her shortcomings in the publicity domain. “My PR game sucks,” she remarked bluntly, shedding light on a side of the industry rarely spoken about so openly. Parineeti underlined the influence of external factors in getting roles, stating that being seen in the right places can be as important if not more so than acting ability.
Delving further into the industry’s dynamics, Parineeti expressed her willingness to lend her voice to those artists who are equally talented but perhaps overshadowed by the lack of affiliation with influential groups in Bollywood. “I want to be the voice for actors who aren’t parts of cliques and camps,” she asserted. The actress’s strong stance on lobbying resonates with many who aspire to fair and merit-based opportunities in the industry. Her own journey of gaining notable weight for her role in ‘Chamkila’ represents her dedication and sacrifices for her craft, indicating her chosen path of hard work over strategic social investments.
Following the release of ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, the actress took to Instagram to give her followers a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes of the film, sharing her dedication to the role and the process of bringing a character to life. Her social media activity also serves as a bridge to her fans, revealing the earnest efforts that go into her performances.
Parineeti’s career has seen varied performances, with her role in ‘Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar’ garnering critical acclaim. Directors like Dibakar Banerjee and Imtiaz Ali chose her based on her abilities, opting for talent over market trends. These filmmakers, much like the actress herself, are not omnipresent in the media but focus on the cinematic art form. As Parineeti noted, even after setbacks in her career with less successful films, they trusted her acting prowess rather than her commercial appeal.
Her enlightening discussion on the industry’s not-so-glamorous facets poses important questions about the future of Bollywood and the criteria that determine success within its glitzy confines. Parineeti Chopra may have pointed out an uncomfortable reality, but her stance and determination could be the much-needed catalyst for change, inspiring both the industry and aspiring actors to value performance and dedication above all. This candidness emphasizes that while her journey has had its share of missed opportunities, Parineeti Chopra remains resilient and true to her art, searching for that ‘right platform’ that aligns with her talent and passion for acting.
