
Priyanka Chopra Once Said She Had No Bollywood Friend To 'Call From Bed At Night': 'To Bare My Heart…'
In a 2005 interview, Priyanka Chopra admitted that despite knowing many people in Bollywood, she didn't have a single real friend.
Before she became an international star and a global icon, Priyanka Chopra gave the world a glimpse into her life behind the fame — and it wasn't all red carpets and camera flashes. In a 2005 interview with Rediff during her stay in Boston, where her father Ashok Chopra was undergoing treatment for liver cancer, the then-rising Bollywood actress opened up about the personal cost of success in the film industry.
'I have a hundred million acquaintances in Bollywood, but there isn't a single friend I can call in the middle of the night from my bed and bare my heart," she had admitted.
At the time, Priyanka was riding high on a wave of back-to-back big-budget films. From Bluff Master with Abhishek Bachchan to upcoming projects with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, her calendar was packed. But the glamour didn't shield her from what she described as her 'worst fear." 'It seems to be the higher you get in this profession, the more success you get, the lonelier you are," she said.
Priyanka had only been in the industry for three years then, but was already attached to a string of high-profile films including Krrish, Don, Nikhil Advani's untitled venture and Farah Khan's Happy New Year.
'I have been around for about three years, and these incredible things are happening," she said. 'I am afraid of loneliness, and being without a friend," she added later. 'I am afraid of dying without any of my friends around. I don't want that to happen."
Even though her Bollywood career was taking off, Priyanka's heart was still in Boston. She had gone to high school there, and the city felt like home again as her family came together to care for her father during his illness. 'I come here almost every year, and my best friends are in this city," she shared. 'I am going through a very difficult period in my life right now. But for my relatives and friends here, it would not have been easy to cope," she had said.
Years later, Priyanka Chopra married Nick Jonas in a grand wedding in December 2018, blending Indian and Western traditions over several days of celebrations. In January 2022, the couple welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie, via surrogacy.
First Published:
July 27, 2025, 10:38 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Kareena Kapoor made a ‘big mistake' when she let go of Priyanka Chopra's role in Aitraaz, reveals producer: ‘She chose the heroine's part, wanted to glide easily'
In the early 2000s, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were known for their off-screen rivalry. Their tense dynamic wasn't just tabloid fodder; it played out publicly, most memorably through sharp jabs exchanged on Koffee with Karan. But the root of this reported friction might be traced back to 2003, during the making of Aitraaz, an Abbas-Mustan courtroom thriller, also starring Akshay Kumar. While Aitraaz was a commercial success, it was Priyanka's morally complex character that drew significant attention. Her portrayal was seen as bold, nuanced, and unlike anything Bollywood had shown at the time for a female lead. Now, veteran filmmaker and producer Suneel Darshan has revealed that Kareena Kapoor was originally offered the role of Sonia, a part that ultimately helped define Priyanka Chopra's early career. 'There are times when actors miscalculate,' Darshan told Bollywood Bubble. 'At that time, a negative role was still viewed as something like a vamp. And the fact that Priyanka was cast alongside Amrish Puri as his wife, so it felt more like a Shashikala-type role. You know, like the ones Shashikala or Bindu used to play in older films. But with time, narratives change, and so do perspectives. And I thought to myself, my God, Bebo (Kareena) made such a big mistake.' According to Darshan, Kareena was offered the film first and she could have easily grabbed Sonia's part. 'But Bebo is Bebo. She always wanted to glide through everything easily. She lost out on that role because she chose not to do it. She picked the heroine's part opposite the hero. She could have taken Priyanka's role too, but she didn't.' Also Read | Priyanka Chopra didn't want to be a part of Aitraaz: 'She was hesitant that she will get stereotyped as a vamp' Darshan praised Priyanka for taking a risk when many actresses at the time were hesitant to portray grey characters. 'Priyanka was at a stage where she was on the rise. She was the go-getter. Whatever she wanted, she went after and got it. And that role justified something that wasn't considered normal, it made you believe in it.' What followed was reportedly an unspoken rift between Kareena and Priyanka, with each taking subtle (and not-so-subtle) digs at the other over the years. On various seasons of Koffee with Karan, both stars made pointed remarks. At one point, Kareena even questioned Priyanka's National Award win for Fashion, prompting widespread speculation about tension between the two. Interestingly, the two actresses shared a couch on Koffee with Karan in 2019 during its sixth season, where they laughed off their past remarks and displayed a surprisingly warm, refreshed dynamic. In a 2023 interview with Mid-Day, Kareena seemed to put those rumours to rest. She denied ever having any 'catfights' with Priyanka but admitted to saying 'foolish things' when she was younger. 'I'm a more relaxed person now,' she said, reflecting on how marriage, motherhood, and a successful career have grounded her. When asked directly if there was ever tension with Priyanka, Kareena responded, 'Not at all! Rubbish. I was like, 'What is going on?''


Pink Villa
21 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
What is Dhanush's net worth? Know Raanjhanaa actor's assets, salary and cars owned in 2025
Dhanush is making headlines recently after it was reported that the actor is currently dating Mrunal Thakur. While the actors are yet to make it official, how well do you know about the actor's assets and the money he makes with each movie? What is Dhanush's net worth? According to a report by The Financial Express, Dhanush has a net worth of Rs 230 crore, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the South Indian film industry. Interestingly, the actor's net worth is not just formed with his impressive remuneration but also with previous advertisement collaborations with companies like OLX and 7Up. Dhanush's lavish home in Chennai For those unaware, Dhanush owns a massive home in Chennai's posh Poes Garden where several celebrities reside, including his former father-in-law, Rajinikanth. As per a report by Hindustan Times, the Raayan star's home is estimated to have a value of Rs 150 crore. Dhanush's astounding remuneration and personal vehicles Dhanush is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema. With his experience in cinema being more than 20 years, he is reported by India TV to charge a remuneration between Rs 20 to Rs 35 crore for each film, and receives a monthly salary of Rs 3 crore. On a side note, the actor is reportedly said to have charged Rs 4 crore as his remuneration for appearing in Russo Brothers' The Gray Man. The film starring Ryan Gosling, Ana De Armas, and Chris Evans in leading roles had the Raanjhanaa actor making a small appearance. Moving ahead, Dhanush is mostly known for his simplistic lifestyle and often embodies it with his outfits. However, the actor has a soft spot for luxurious vehicles and is reported to own cars like a Jaguar, an Audi, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, and even a Bentley. Dhanush's personal life Dhanush, whose real name is Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, was born on July 28, 1983. The 42-year-old actor is the son of former director-producer Kasthuri Raja and his wife Vijayalakshmi. His elder brother, Selvaraghavan, is a popular director-turned-actor known for films like Pudhupettai, 7G Rainbow Colony, and many more. Apart from him, Dhanush also has 2 sisters. The Captain Miller actor was previously married to Rajinikanth's elder daughter, Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth. After a 20-year-long marriage, the couple divorced on November 27, 2024. The former couple share two children, namely Yathra and Linga. Over the years, the actor has not limited himself to acting roles but has also served as lyricist, singer, producer, and, most recently, director. Disclaimer: All amounts mentioned in the article are sourced from public platforms. In some cases, celebrities or their teams give their inputs too, which we incorporate if provided by them. We take all efforts to share possible accurate numbers, however unless otherwise mentioned they are all approximates. We are open to feedback and suggestions on editorial@


Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Farhan Akhtar's mother Honey Irani gave 3-4 slaps to a man and toppled over his vehicle when he groped a woman: 'You don't imagine women getting into scraps on the road'
Javed Akhtar 's ex-wife and Farhan Akhtar , Zoya Akhtar 's mother is quite a strong woman herself. While she's been away from the limelight, she's been one of the most talented writers herself. She's best known for writing some iconic movies like 'Lamhe', 'Darr', 'Kya Kehna', 'Kaho Naa. .Pyaar Hai', 'Krrish' and more. While Honey has chosen to stay away from the limelight largely, unlike the rest of her family who gets more attention, she's largely influenced her children in who they turned out to be and to always stand up for the right. Farhan Akhtar recently recounted a powerful childhood memory involving his mother that deeply influenced his moral compass. Speaking with Prakhar Gupta, the actor-filmmaker recalled an incident from the 1980s that revealed Honey's fearless nature and her uncompromising attitude toward injustice—especially when it came to violence against women. 'This happened in the '80s, and she was driving somewhere. She loved self-driving,' Farhan began, painting a vivid picture of the scene. 'She was behind a rickshaw. Meanwhile, a woman was crossing the road, and she stopped on the divider, waiting for the vehicles to pass. Seeing the woman, the person who was in the rickshaw put his hand out and groped her. My mom stopped her car immediately. She (the victim) was crying, and my mom told her to come with her in the car. ' But Honey Irani didn't stop at comforting the distressed woman. What she did next left a lasting impression on her young son. 'She made her sit in the car and started following the rickshaw. Upon catching up, she stopped the rickshaw, pulled the guy (perpetrator) out and gave him three to four slaps. She also toppled over his vehicle. Afterwards, she dropped that woman off at home,' Farhan recounted, a hint of admiration still present in his voice. Farhan further added how the incident stood out, especially because of how unconventional his mother's response was for that time. 'You don't imagine women getting into scraps on the road. So, I was blown away by that episode. It also gave me insight into when to stand up in situations like this. You can't be like, 'arrey, how sad' and move on. That was a key turning moment in my psyche. It was not just about my understanding of her, but also in terms of what she represented in that moment to that woman as well. ' On work front, Farhan will be seen next in '120 Bahadur'.