It is not everyday that Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra chooses to share her success mantra with people. But when she agrees, she makes sure to share it in such a way that people learn from her experiences and be inspired.
The Quantico actor recently spoke at The Penguin Annual Lecture 2017 at Siri Fort auditorium in New Delhi, where she presented sure shot ways of becoming the best version of yourself.
Talking about the theme, 'Breaking the glass ceiling. Chasing the dream', the actor, who is also a singer, author and a producer, said that she is not fond of the term 'breaking the glass ceiling' as the term just puts all her achievements in a box.
“When I was a child, my father asked me why do you want to fit inside the glass slipper like Cinderella did when you can shatter the glass ceiling? But I don't like the meaning of 'breaking the glass ceiling' as it takes all my achievements and hard work and puts them in a box; as if my ambition was to find a glass ceiling and break it. I was not here for breaking and shattering anything but all I wanted to do was to chase my dreams, evolve and to become the best version of me,” she said.
Priyanka Chopra has been lauded for playing lead characters in not just Indian films but also conquering the west. After working in Quantico and Baywatch, she has created a milestone that many of her contemporaries failed to do. She said that anyone can achieve it by identifying oneself and constantly evolving.
“There's only one because there is no one like you. I don't mean the superfluous and superficial parts but your values, beliefs and flaws. Once you understand who that person is you can find your unique self. So my first rule is change is the only constant thing in life. I am living my dream by being fierce and fearless,” she said.
“Let your dreams fly and give them wings. Be what you want to be. Opportunities don't come very often. So no matter where you are in life, you have never arrived enough to explore these opportunities,” she said.
Advising women, Chopra said it is important to become ambitious to follow your dreams. “There's nothing wrong in being ambitious. Don't let anyone tell you who you need to be. Fight for your dreams because no one else will. I have turned down so many roles and opportunities because they did not fit what I wanted but today my failures, successes and journey are mine. So, do not compromise.”
Though the actor said that she hates failures, she is not one to wade in self-pity. “Always learn that you will never truly enjoy success until you have tasted failure. So fail, fail, fail again and then rise as a phoenix,” she adds.
The actor also believes in taking calculative risks as she said, it helps a person to evolve. “If you have not explored the full extent of your possibilities, you will always remain stagnant. People have written me off several times in my career. When I played a negative character in Aitraaz very early in my career, someone told me that no one will cast me as an actress. Also, when I did a female-centric film like Fashion, people told me it was not a norm. Each time the risks were huge and stakes were high and repercussions could be career-ending. But I chose to take risk.”
Chopra, who is also UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador said that success is nothing if you are not bold, kind and compassionate. “Learn to laugh at yourself and situations and find a moment to appreciate life as it comes. When I was very young, my mother taught me that there will always be someone who will be less fortunate. So, give back and always remember where you came from.”
