Priyanka Chopra targets Indian stereotypes in Hollywood

In her latest role in Disney's global adventure Planes, Chopra hopes to cross the boundaries of Bollywood to Hollywood.

Priyanka Chopra. AFP

The Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has a higher mission than just making it in Hollywood: she wants to break down stereotypes of Indians in Tinseltown’s eyes.

“We don’t travel on elephants, there aren’t any snake charmers on the side of the road, everybody doesn’t talk like Apu from The Simpsons,” said the actress.

Chopra, 31, is one of the biggest stars to emerge in Indian cinema in recent years, with big-budget franchises such as Krrish and Don. She has also won plaudits for taking on unconventional roles, most recently playing an autistic woman in 2012’s Barfi!.

But in her latest role as an animated racing airplane in Disney’s global adventure Planes, Chopra said she is hoping to cross the boundaries of Bollywood to -Hollywood.

“This is a global movie. You have characters from all across the world, and I think for kids, it’s great to understand that there are so many different kinds of culture and people out there,” she said.

Chopra is currently in production on a biopic about the Indian Olympic boxing champion Mary Kom, and learning to box.

Chopra, who was born and raised in India and also spent a few years in the US, says cracking into Hollywood has presented its own -challenges.

“There is a very big stereotype with Indian actors, and you get only Indian parts.   I want to be able to change that.”

Chopra’s step into Hollywood coincides with her foray into pop music, releasing her first single, Exotic, featuring the rapper Pitbull, from her forthcoming album.

The album is being overseen by the producer RedOne and is expected early next year. – Reuters

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