Priyanka Chopra Jonas Has Mastered The Art Of The Long Game
She’s shattered ceilings, rewritten rules and built a life on her own terms. Esquire India in conversation with Priyanka Chopra Jonas on power, purpose and parenthood
I’ve known her for years now. I’ve watched her command movie sets, light up hotel rooms during interviews, own the stage at award shows and effortlessly bring her A-game to every single frame at a photoshoot. The last time we shot together in New York, the city was buzzing around us.
But she was the one creating the real electricity. And here we are again, a few years later and a few continents apart, pulling off this special Esquire India cover via Zoom calls and international time zones. Leave it to Priyanka Chopra Jonas to make even remote magic feel cinematic.
But she’s not just a movie star, she’s a global phenomenon. The only Indian actress to break through Hollywood’s gates and “stay” there, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has done what few even dared to dream. From solo posters of Quantico to her turn in the adrenaline-charged Citadel, she’s taken up space, demanded attention and delivered every single time. In her latest action-comedy Heads of State, she shares top billing with John Cena and Idris Elba, playing MI6 agent Noel Bisset with the same unflinching conviction that she once brought to Don (2006), Fashion (2008), Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Barfi! (2012).
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Her influence, however, isn’t confined to the screen. On red carpets, Priyanka creates frenzy. She’s a regular head turner at the MET Gala, a front-row fixture at the biggest global events and the face of some of the most valuable brands. Whether she’s in sequins or sweats, she doesn’t just follow fashion, she steers it.
In this exclusive conversation, Priyanka talks about power (and why she doesn’t chase it), fashion (but never being a slave to it), motherhood (and school WhatsApp groups), love and what it takes to build an empire that straddles Mumbai, Malibu and everywhere in between. She’s earned the accolades—Time 100, Forbes’ Most Powerful Women, the Global Vanguard Honor at this year’s Gold Gala, but what she’s really building now is something deeper. Something quieter. Something truly lasting. It’s rare to meet someone who can burn this bright for this long and still make you feel like you are the only person in the room.
Excerpts from our latest chat:
You’ve spent over two decades building an empire that straddles continents. How do you personally define power today? Has that definition changed for you over time?
Gosh, you’re giving me way too much credit. No, not at all. I don’t see it that way. I see it as having personal goals. My goal, imposed by myself, changes every year, as I think it should for anyone who wants to evolve and continue doing something they love for a long time. In order to do that, you have to make sure that you bring something new to the table every time. And to me, that’s powerful. Being able to be good at your job, delivering what the people you’re working with expect. Whether it’s doing your cover, or being on set and shooting a movie, you must deliver to the best of your abilities. That’s what I think is powerful. Being able to detach yourself from whatever’s happening to you and doing your job well.
Do you remember the first time you felt powerful in your life?
I’m not sure... I feel like power is something that can mess with your mind. So that’s not something I aim for. I aim for peace. I like operating from a place of peace, even though I’m very ambitious. I think whatever your ambition might be, it all starts with having a work ethic, where after you leave the room, people only have good things to say about you and how you operate. When I hear good feedback from the people I work with, and learn that they enjoyed working with me, that’s a powerful feeling. I strive to make that happen often. Otherwise, power is not something I strive for.
When you look at the ripple effect of your journey, whether it’s little girls from this part of the world feeling seen or South Asian talent getting mainstream space, do you feel the weight of that responsibility?
When I started moving towards work here, I was just trying to expand my wings and do something that built upon my career, and I saw how hard it was. There was, at that time, such a lack of consideration for Indian or South Asian lead actors in commercial pictures.
So, I was grateful when Quantico came about. That was my first vehicle where the character was just written as a tough girl and ethnicity didn’t define her. That was the first breakthrough for me, to be seen differently here as someone who could do lead parts or even commercial movies. It was a long, tedious journey, which may not be so evident to everyone. But yeah, now I’m so glad to see diversity, especially in entertainment. I was talking about this with John Cena yesterday—we’re seeing entertainment from around the world now.
You would also remember we were told that subtitled movies don’t travel, right? That’s why we couldn’t have crossovers across audiences. Bollywood movies were not so mainstream globally because subtitled films didn’t cross over. Now, subtitled films are winning Oscars. So the gamut and the playing field of entertainment has changed so much. How can it look one way or not include people who look like us? I’m grateful to see such incredible talent of Indian and South Asian descent killing it. We are all feeling seen right now and I don’t feel alone.
From Barfi! to Baywatch, Quantico to The White Tiger, your filmography spans tone, geography and language. What do you look for in a script now that you perhaps didn’t 10 years ago?
My intention is still the same as it was when I first found my dream of being an actor—to do something that excites me to be on set. Because we spend a lot of time on a film set (almost a year), it’s important to me to work with like-minded people. And it has to be something I want to spend that kind of time away from my family for. That’s crucial. I think in my Hindi-language work, I’ve had a lot of variety in genres. I’ve done comedy, action, drama—all kinds of movies. I haven’t been able to do that yet in my English-language work, because it took me many years to get to where I am now. And that’s what I’m hoping to do over the next decade—expand my portfolio in English-language films.
What was working on Heads of State like?
This is the kind of part you’d usually see a man play. That’s what my director always says. He really wanted the muscle in the movie to be a woman. I felt lucky helming that part in such a fun movie and to be able to play a role shoulder to shoulder with action-comedy greats like John Cena and Idris Elba. It was just a fun movie. Plus, we shot it in the South of France and London. So, what’s not to like?
You’ve always had this rare ability to straddle commercial and critical spaces. Is there a role you’re still chasing?
I don’t know if I have anything specific. But I know the feeling I’m chasing. And I don’t know what that script or idea is, but I’m really looking in this next season of my life, to delve into something that makes me nervous. Something that feels like a departure. I don’t know what that is yet, but I’ll know when I come across it.
Social media has become a potent part of your public identity. How do you balance the personal, the performative and the political when you speak to over 90 million people online?
The personal, by sharing what makes me happy, moments in my life, my thoughts. Because I guess everyone’s social media is sort of a reflection of who they are and where they are in their lives, or the best version of it, for that matter. I like having fun with it. The professional [is how] I love being able to talk about the work that I do because I put a lot of effort into it. I love sharing that with people who are interested. And the political, I stay away from because that’s not my lane. I leave it to the people who actually have the information. I don’t enough about policy to chime in. I’m an actor and I like to stick to that.
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You’ve been on almost every best-dressed list in the world, from the MET Gala to Cannes. What is fashion to you today: a tool, a voice or a performance?
I love fashion, but I’m not a slave to it. I’m as comfortable in sweatpants and a T-shirt as I am in couture. I think fashion is an expression of who you are, what you’re feeling that day, who you want to be seen as. Using clothes to do that is so much fun. Of course, it’s not everybody’s cup of tea and doesn’t need to be. But the one thing that’s universal is that most people want to put their best foot forward, whether it’s for work or just stepping out for the day. And clothes are a big part of that. A little bit of intention, a few staple pieces you can mix and match… those things add to your style. And I believe having style is so much cooler than just wearing the best fashion. Style is what’s important.
How involved are you in crafting your public-facing aesthetic? Are you the final word or is there a trusted tribe you lean on?
I’m definitely the last call on everything I wear because I have to wear it. But I do collaborate with experts in the business. I work with the best when it comes to every aspect of my public-facing life because I’ve had the incredible privilege of being exposed to amazing people over the years. I lean a lot on their opinions. I don’t really have the bandwidth to be searching for clothes, so I like working with different stylists to get their take on what’s trendy, what’s fun, and then I make the final decision, because eventually, it’s important.
You and Nick (Jonas) come from different worlds, yet you’ve created such a strong partnership. What do you think anchors that relationship today?
Knock on wood! And thank you. And guess what? (laughs) He’s sitting right in front of me. So this is hilarious because he’s listening to my answer. We’re on our way to Wimbledon right now. I think what grounds our relationship is the trust and faith that your person will always be in your corner. No matter what. Early on in our marriage, I realised that when my husband holds my hand and we walk into a room, I never feel alone. I feel safe, protected, taken care of, spoiled (interrupts herself). He’s telling me to say more, more, more (laughs).
But honestly, those are the things I always wanted in a partner—to feel proud and seen. Even from across the room, he’ll know if I need a glass of water or something. His instincts are incredible when it comes to taking care of us. Being able to depend on him is a big part of the contentment I feel in our relationship.
What are the quieter joys you’re cherishing more than ever right now?
Our daughter (Malti Marie) started school, so being school parents is very new for us. When we dropped her off and met the other parents, walking to the park together, meeting her best friend’s parents and hanging out—that’s a new dynamic and I’m really enjoying it. I have a mom’s WhatsApp group too, which is amazing. I love dropping her off and picking her up from school. It’s our favourite thing to do.
If you could give men one piece of advice about how to be an ally to powerful women, what would it be?
That’s a good one. I’d say: Your partner having a win doesn’t mean a loss for you. A win for your partner is a win for you too. Be a champion of the person you’re with. Be proud of their achievements. Don’t compare their success to your own. It’s healthy. And crucial.
What, according to you, makes a man at his best?
Be a gentleman. Make your mom look good. Make your parents look good, [it shows] that they raised you well. It’s the most attractive quality in a man. It’s not just about manners or the way you behave but how you treat the people around you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a colleague or someone who works for you, be kind. Show respect. Most guys get caught up in posturing: how they look, how they act. That doesn’t matter. People see through façades. So don’t create one. Strip it all away and be kind. That’s very, very, very attractive.
You’ve always had a deep connection to India, even when you’re away. How does home show up in your life now?
Home is me. India is me… wherever I go. When you walk into our house, my giant mandir is the first thing you’ll see. There’s a statue of my Shivji. In our pantry, there’s a massive Indian snacks section. In summer, you’ll always find Indian mangoes in our house. There’s always agarbatti (incense sticks). The elements of India that are intrinsically in me can’t be taken away, wherever in the world I am. And you know that about us Indians—we’ll find our food and snacks anywhere we go. Since I was a kid, I’ve travelled the world. I never just stayed in India. I travelled across cities because of my parents’ defence background. I also lived with my aunt for a long time, because I was moving around so much. I lived in America when I was young. I’ve had that exposure. So, I know how to make a home wherever I go, the kind of home that you crave.
Since we spoke about Indian food, is there any Indian snack you’ve got Nick addicted to?
Nick, do you have an Indian snack you like? Oh, that masala peanuts. I think it’s Haldiram’s or something. They have this lemon-chilli flavour. And then there’s jeera peanuts. Those are his favourites. We always have them in the house.
You’ve built a lifestyle empire, from Anomaly to production, investments and philanthropy. What’s the common thread running through all your entrepreneurial ventures?
I think it’s the same logic I use when I choose scripts: Does this excite me? Is there space for it? Is this the right time? What is its relevance? What does it mean to me? I try to answer those questions honestly. But more than anything, “Does it excite me?” is the most important.
Miss World, actress, producer, author, entrepreneur, mother. What’s the one title people forget you hold but you’re proudest of?
I don’t love labels, actually.
Why would you say that?
You have to be fluid as a human. I’m a sum of all the labels you just named and many more. As soon as you start limiting yourself to the labels other people give you or those you give yourself, you create a glass ceiling. You have to be fluid, like water. Ride the wave the universe sends your way. Try to be excellent every single day, because that’s all we can control. As much as we worry about tomorrow or the next five years, there’s no control any of us really have over that. You must try to be a good human being and do the best you can to make sure that that day’s results—personal, professional, whatever they might be, are what you hoped for. And then slowly, when you look back, your life will be alright.
Is there a business decision that scared you, but you made it anyway and never looked back?
Getting into F&B. When I started my restaurant, the hospitality business, it made me nervous. It was in the middle of Chelsea, New York. I was very specific about what I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be elevated. I was nervous about that venture but I’m proud of what we were able to achieve and how long it lasted.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about where your mind is right now—creatively, emotionally, spiritually?
Surprise people... hmm, okay, I’m going to say it. I love this role in my life right now—being my daughter’s mom. I love driving her to playdates. I love packing her school bag. Making sure it has everything she needs. I want to make sure she gets to explore every interest. Wherever in the world I travel to, I just want to come back home to my family. That’s become my honing signal now.
That’s so different from the Priyanka I knew years back, always on the go and juggling so many things at the same time…
Yeah, but not anymore. In this season of my life, I’m doing just one movie at a time. I take the time to drop my daughter off
at school. I love it. I’m blessed to be at a place where I can do that. Not everybody’s job gives them that freedom. But I’m in a season right now where I felt like I needed time, to invest in myself, in my family, in who I’m becoming. And for that, I needed to be home. I’m grateful for it.
Photography: Matthew Sprout
Styling: Heathermary Jackson at Muse Creatives NYC
Styling Assistants: Elijah Holluingsworth, Amy Aguilar
Hair: DJ Quintero at the Wall Group
Makeup: Francelle Daly for Love+Craft+Beauty
Producer: Ben Clark-Spear
Production Assistants: Talalima Mobley
Photo Assistants: Doug Graves and Joshua Cotto
Digital Tech: Jared Christensen
Location: Go Studios, New York
Catering: M&G Food Stuff
Artist Reputation Management Agency: Raindrop Media
Bookings Editor: Varun Shah
To read more stories from Esquire India's July 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.