It’s All About Bridging The Gap! Bollywood Star Priyanka Chopra Stars in ABC’s ‘Quantico’

By Ruchi Mukherjee

Houston has a love affair with all things Indian. From “Little India” on Hillcroft, to Bollywood dance performances during the Rockets half-time show, to a slew of new Indian restaurants, the Bayou City is alive with Indian culture.

Bollywood in particular is something Houstonians love, and with the fantastic dance sequences, complex story lines and stunning heroes and heroines, how could they not? A number of theaters in Houston cater to Indian premiere movies. Indian Bollywood stars are no strangers to the city and often make a stop in Houston where they are met by throngs of adorning fans.

One of India’s most favorite stars, Priyanka Chopra, can be seen as the lead on ABC’s newest action packed drama series, Quantico. She has made a seamless transition from Bollywood to Hollywood and is gracing TV screens all across the nation.

The craze for Bollywood and exotic things is growing in Houston. “I think people are bored with bland, they want something exiting, spicy and different,” says Geoffrey Roth, Managing Editor at FOX 26.

Publicist Anita Chatterjee with Priyanka Chopra

Meanwhile speaking to Priyanka Chopra’s manager Anjula Acharia Bath CEO who is herself an outstanding success story making an incredible mark in the mainstream entertainment industry and who was recently named on Billboard’s 2014 ‘International Power Players’ List. In 2007 Anjula co-founded (media company) Desi Hits!, which helped drive diversity into global pop culture, she introduced artists like Lady Gaga and Britney Spears to emerging global markets. “I met Priyanka Chopra maybe four years back, so talented, very hard working with a generous heart. Deep down she is a middle class girl who grew up in Queens, India, just another girl with big dreams. Priyanka is a rockstar,” shares Anjula.

Priyanka Chopra is no stranger to the western world. This former Miss World 2000 has not only appeared in numerous Bollywood films, she is a singer who appeared with American rapper Pitbull’s single Exotic. Scrolling through several twitter feeds and other social media outlets it is quite apparent that Ms Chopra will get a very warm welcome from her American fans. Of course no doubt her Indian followers living in the United States are so proud of her achievements and showered her with best wishes. “We are so excited and happy for her and its truly an achievement to see familiar Indian faces on mainstream TV which I did not see happening while growing up,” says Pooja Lodhia. “My mom is planning a big party Sunday evening with all my other aunties to celebrate Priyanka’s debut in Quantico,” she adds.

Ruchi with ABC 13 Pooja Lodhia at local boutique Threadz

Personally as an entrepreneur and journalist in the US, I find many things common with this actress. Well the first one would be that she and I went to La Martiniere For Girls in Lucknow. Secondly, we both have our love affair with Jimmy Choo and Ferragamo but most importantly as a woman trying to make an impact in a new country showcasing what we have to offer. I have been able to bring LCA Houston into the mainstream spotlight with our efforts to bridge the ethnic to the mainstream with interviews with Eva Longoria, Tommy Hilfiger, Tilda Swinton, Naeem Khan or Vidya Balan. Our awards soiree International Mothers Day event is the perfect example of our success in that endeavor. We have partnered with luxury brands like Neiman Marcus, Bulgari and Saks Fifth Avenue showcasing the international community and their talents.

LCA Houston International Society News wishes Priyanka Chopra all the very best and hopes to see her in many more exciting projects but most certainly in Bollywood films.