Priyanka Chopra has become the poster child of women empowerment. Recently, the actress sent out a strong message to all women, telling them, “Never let anyone tell you who you can be and what you need to be,” urging them to follow their instincts and take their own call about what they wanted to achieve in life. Earlier this year, the actress set a new precedent with her production house, Purple Pebble Pictures, announcing three regional children’s films — all with women directors. The actress later said that she took the decision as she wanted to hail woman power and talent.
Turns out that Priyanka not only has an all-women team in her Mumbai production house, but also in the US, with an all-women team co-ordinating her dates, scheduling her media events and setting up meetings with Hollywood producers. According to her mother, Madhu Chopra, Priyanka has always felt the need to empower women and equip them with the right opportunities. “It is definitely not a coincidence that all the three writer-directors of the latest productions are women. Few are aware that Priyanka’s entire team in our Mumbai and US office consists of women, except for her earlier secretary.”
She adds that Priyanka is looking at working with more women directors in the future, because she feels that they are capable of breaking new ground and have a better sense of commitment.
“She has always felt that girls are focused, dedicated and career-driven. She also told me how girls are so resilient in the face of opposition and how they take a quick call in certain situations. Given a choice, Priyanka would love to work with all women directors, though her first Marathi production, Ventilator, was directed by the immensely talented Rajesh Mapuskar,” adds Madhu.
Apparently, Priyanka’s outlook towards women was strengthened when she took the initial steps in her Hollywood career. “When she ventured out on her own in Hollywood, there was someone who gave her a hand and that person was a woman. Later, Priyanka decided that she would give a hand and reach out to all young women who were looking for avenues in this male-dominated world. When she set out for her first Hollywood project, Quantico, I was with her all the time but I took it easy after she got a talented team of good, dedicated girls,” says Madhu.
