THIS week, Priyanka Chopra will turn a year older and mark her 36th birthday on July 18. To celebrate, Eastern Eye went through her body of work to pick 20 fun facts you may not know about her films and roles.
Hit comedy Bluffmaster (2005) was inspired by Argentinian film Nine Queens. The movie features songs by British band Trickbaby.
UK-set romantic comedy Aap Ki Khatir (2006) was a Bollywood adaptation of Hollywood hit The Wedding Date.
Don (2006) was a remake of the 1978 film of the same name and Priyanka portrayed the character originally played by Zeenat Aman.
Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love (2007) was loosely based on British romantic comedy Love Actually, with separate love stories woven together.
Fantasy comedy God Tussi Great Ho (2008) was a Bollywood remake of 2003 Hollywood comedy Bruce Almighty.
The major acting honours that Priyanka won for her acclaimed film Fashion (2008) included Best Actress honours at the Filmfare, National, IIFA, Stardust and Screen Awards.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had initially been offered the lead role in hit comedy Dostana (2008), but turned it down. Priyanka successfully stepped into playing the role of a beauty who is pursued by two men pretending to be gay.
2010 romantic comedy Pyaar Impossible was based on 1991 Malayalam film Kilukkampetti.
7 Khoon Maaf (2011) was a big screen adaptation of a short story written by Ruskin Bond titled Susanna’s Seven Husbands. The Vishal Bhardwaj-directed black comedy-drama revolves around a woman who murders her seven husbands in an unending quest for love.
The fearless actress did most of her own stunts in action sequel Don 2 (2011).
Director Anurag Basu was at first reluctant to cast Priyanka in the role of autistic girl Jhilmil in award-winning Barfi (2012), but relented after workshops were she dazzled him with her performance level.
The 2013 release Deewana Main Deewana was actually made in 2003, but the release was delayed and that is why Priyanka looked so young in it. The romantic comedy was a remake of Tamil film Priyamudan.
The 2013 film Zanjeer was a remake of the 1973 classic and marked the Bollywood debut of South Indian star Ram Charan. The film was simultaneously shot in Hindi and Telugu.
To play the title role of Mary Kom (2014), Priyanka underwent extensive physical training for three months to get a muscular physique and to learn the distinct boxing style required.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to make Bajirao Mastani (2015) in 2003 with Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the title roles, and Rani Mukerji playing Bajirao’s first wife Kashibai. The film was restarted years later with Priyanka taking on the role of Kashibai.
The original choice to play the roles of siblings in 2015 comedy drama Dil Dhadakne Do were real life cousins Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan. When both of them were unable to do the roles, they were replaced with Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra.
Priyanka produced Marathi film Ventilator (2016) with her mother Madhu Chopra. The drama won a number of awards and became one of the most successful Marathi movies of all-time.
The antagonist role played by Priyanka in her Hollywood debut Baywatch (2017) was originally written for a male, but she was cast and the movie went on to clock up huge numbers globally.
Hollywood film A Kid Like Jake (2018) is written by Daniel Pearle and based on his own 2013 play of the same name.
Priyanka’s forthcoming film Bharat (2019) is a Bollywood remake of Korean film Ode to My Father. She stars opposite Salman Khan in the film due for release Eid 2019.
British designer Grace Wales Bonner named Hermès men’s creative director
First Black woman to lead design at a major European fashion house
Replaces Véronique Nichanian after 37 years at the helm
Debut Hermès collection expected in January 2027
Will continue her own label alongside Hermès role
Well, it’s official: Hermès has found its new menswear chief. It’s Grace Wales Bonner. She’s 35, from London, and she’s taking over from a legend, Véronique Nichanian, after 37 years. It also means Wales Bonner is the first Black woman to ever lead design at a major European house, and the whole industry is wondering what she’ll change.
Luxury fashion insiders react to Wales Bonner’s historic appointment at Hermès Getty Images
Why Grace Wales Bonner’s Hermès role matters
Hermès is all about tradition and timeless pieces. Wales Bonner, however, does her own thing. Think sharp suits mixed with track jackets. Her work is packed with ideas about culture and identity. She’s the one who dressed Lewis Hamilton, FKA Twigs, and Jeff Goldblum.
Wales Bonner’s past collaborations with Adidas and MoMA exhibitions highlight her creative rangeGetty Images
What to expect from Hermès under Wales Bonner
Her first collection for Hermès isn’t due until January 2027, giving her a full runway to shape the ‘Hermès man’ in her vision. It could feature sharp suits with quiet nods to music, diaspora, and ritual, yet be smart, wearable statements that feel contemporary without abandoning the house’s classic DNA. Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès’ general artistic director, said Wales Bonner’s perspective will “meld the house’s heritage with a confident look on the now.”
Grace Wales Bonner becomes first Black woman to lead Hermès mensweaGetty Images
Balancing her own label and Hermès
She started her own label right out of college back in 2014, and people took notice fast. Since then, she’s teamed up with Adidas, put on shows at the Serpentine Galleries, and even got an MBE. She knows how to blend smart design with real craft. Running her own brand and this new Hermès role is a huge task.
Grace Wales Bonner and Lewis Hamilton attend The Fashion Awards 2023Getty Images
Fans and fashion insiders react
The response has been immediate. Vogue highlighted Hermès’ unexpected choice, noting insiders had anticipated an internal promotion. For the fashion world, it’s a rare win, isn’t it? A fresh voice at a heritage house that respects the past while nudging the present forward. Wales Bonner herself said she feels “deeply honoured” and called the role “a dream realised.”
Nichanian will present her final Hermès menswear collection in Paris in January, leaving a legacy of decades of refined style. Then Wales Bonner steps in, ready to add her own layer of culture, craft, and confidence to one of the world’s most iconic fashion houses.
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