Priyanka Chopra in a shoot / Courtesy: Instagram via @priyankachopra

When Priyanka Chopra Jonas performs hand-to-hand combat, kicks open doors, or slides under a van as the rifle-toting M16 agent Noel Bisset in Ilya Naishuller's recently released action film 'Heads of State,' she looks as convincing as her co-stars John Cena and Idris Elba.

This isn't the first time she has matched action heavyweights punch for punch and kick for kick. Whether as Roma in Bollywood's 'Don,' opposite Shah Rukh Khan, or taking on Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron in a negative role in 'Baywatch,' or as a globe-trotting spy opposite Richard Madden in 'Citadel,' PCJ consistently reminds us that she is in a league of her own.

And she has a heart-winning persona off-screen, too—like she showed at 'Heads of State's London premiere recently. 'The Matrix Resurrections' star credited her Bollywood action roots and, with effortless charm, acknowledged both Akshay Kumar and Tom Cruise in the same breath. It was not only a graceful nod to where her journey began but also a moment that shone a spotlight on India.

Also Read: Bhumi Pednekar—Bollywood's OG shapeshifter

Here's a look at why she's a household name and a global phenomenon—continuing to break boundaries, defy categories, and inspire millions.

Priyanka Chopra in a shoot / Courtesy: Instagram via @priyankachopra

From Bareilly to Bollywood and Beyond

Priyanka's journey is the stuff of legend. Born in Jamshedpur and raised in several cities across India, her dreams of becoming an aeronautical engineer gave way to the glam world when her mother submitted her application for the 'Femina Miss India' contest. Crowned 'Miss India' and then 'Miss World 2000,' she became a national darling overnight.

It took her just two years to begin a career in cinema, starting with the Tamil film 'Thamizhan' (2002), followed by her Bollywood debut in 'The Hero: Love Story of a Spy.' Early films like 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' and 'Aitraaz' (for which she won her first 'Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role') offered a glimpse of her range—glamorous, gutsy, and game-changing.

But it was 'Fashion' that cemented her reputation as a serious performer. Her portrayal of a troubled supermodel earned her the 'National Film Award.' She followed it up with powerful roles in 'Barfi!,' 'Mary Kom,' 'Bajirao Mastani,' and '7 Khoon Maaf,' establishing herself as one of India's most fearless female leads.

The Crossover Queen

There were bigger dreams waiting to be chased. Priyanka set her sights on Hollywood and hired an agent in Los Angeles to make her move. In 2012, she debuted internationally with the music album 'In My City' and followed it with the hit single 'Exotic' featuring rapper Pitbull in 2013. (Did you know? Around the same time, she voiced the character Ishani in Disney's animated film 'Planes.'

Once Priyanka dipped her toes into the global pool, there was no looking back. She bagged the lead role in 'Quantico' as FBI agent Alex Parrish, becoming the first South Asian woman to headline an American network drama. The series ran for three seasons and catapulted her to international stardom.

Her film career in the West also took flight. From playing a suave villain opposite Dwayne Johnson in 'Baywatch' to pivotal roles in 'A Kid Like Jake,' 'Isn't It Romantic,' 'The Matrix Resurrections,' and 'Citadel,' she consistently impressed. Not to forget her stint as a calming narrator in HBO Max's 'A World of Calm,' joining the likes of Keanu Reeves and Nicole Kidman.
 

Priyanka Chopra in her brother's wedding / Courtesy: Instagram via @priyankachopra

The Fashion Icon

It's not just her meaty projects—Pee Cee is a fashion fixture on the world's biggest red carpets, with memorable appearances at the Oscars, Met Gala, and Cannes. Her Met Gala looks—whether the trench coat gown in 2017 or the Dior-inspired fantasy in 2019—have consistently made headlines.

In 2021, she became the first Indian woman to be named global ambassador for Max Factor and was also chosen as one of the founding members of the Victoria's Secret Collective—a bold rebrand that replaced the "Angels" with real women of substance.

Let's not forget her BAFTA nomination for 'The White Tiger,' marking yet another powerful performance in her evolving artistic journey. Or the time she made history as the first Indian woman to announce the Oscar nominations in 2021, alongside her husband, Nick Jonas.

Bridging the East and the West

Even as Priyanka Chopra Jonas walks global runways and headlines international projects, her Indian heritage remains at the core of who she is. Whether she's draped in a Sabyasachi saree at an LA wedding, celebrating Holi with Nick Jonas and family, or spotlighting Indian artisans through her fashion choices, PCJ wears her roots with pride.

Her social media presence is a seamless blend of East and West, continuing to introduce the world to Indian culture—be it through cuisine, spirituality, fashion, or cinema. As she once said, "You can take me out of India, but you can't take India out of me."

And through it all, Priyanka Chopra Jonas remains—undeniably, unapologetically—a desi girl with a global presence.