Why Bollywood Failed Priyanka Chopra—and What She Shares With Shah Rukh Khan
Producer Shailendra Singh says both stars share identical ambition and professionalism—but believes the industry failed to recognise Priyanka as a true global face of Indian cinema.
Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have shared screen space only a handful of times—most memorably in Don and Don 2—but for years, fans have felt that Bollywood never fully explored the potential of this powerhouse pairing. Now, producer Shailendra Singh has added an industry insider’s perspective to that long-standing sentiment, drawing striking parallels between the two stars while calling out Bollywood’s treatment of Priyanka.
In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Singh reflected on Priyanka Chopra’s journey and argued that the Hindi film industry missed a massive opportunity by not positioning her as a leading voice and ambassador of Indian cinema. According to him, Priyanka had everything required to represent Bollywood on a global platform—talent, intelligence, confidence, and international appeal—but was never truly empowered to take on that role.
Singh questioned why Bollywood lacks a clearly defined representative and criticised how, for years, the industry’s narrative has been dominated by filmmakers rather than actors with global influence. He stated that Priyanka should have been the natural choice to carry Bollywood’s voice internationally, but the way she was treated eventually pushed her to look beyond India. He described her as a rare combination of three forces—the brand, the individual, and the performer—calling her a “firecracker” who could have elevated Bollywood’s global standing.
Priyanka Chopra eventually shifted her base to the United States, where she built a steady international career. From leading an American network show like Quantico to appearing in Hollywood films and global streaming projects, she became one of the very few Indian actors to achieve sustained international visibility—something Singh believes Bollywood failed to fully acknowledge at the right time.
During the same discussion, Singh also spoke at length about Shah Rukh Khan’s approach to cinema and stardom. He praised the superstar for his sharp understanding of both the creative and business sides of filmmaking, crediting this awareness for his decades-long dominance. According to Singh, Shah Rukh knows exactly who he is, what kind of cinema defines him, and how stardom functions—making him a “silent operator” who never undermines others and always conducts himself as a thorough professional.
Drawing a direct comparison between Shah Rukh and Priyanka, Singh said the two are far more alike than people realise. From their no-nonsense attitude to business to their disciplined handling of fame and career choices, he believes both stars operate with the same mindset. In his words, they are supremely talented, like-minded individuals who approached their careers with clarity, ambition, and long-term vision.
Singh concluded by stating that actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas are exactly the kind of figures who should represent Bollywood globally—not just for their success, but for what they stand for as professionals. His remarks have reignited conversations around how the industry recognises, nurtures, and sometimes overlooks its most globally capable stars.
