Happy Birthday Priyanka Chopra! 8 statements that prove why the Baywatch star is India's superwoman

She may be making waves in Hollywood, but Priyanka Chopra has always said that she wants to be known as an Indian actress first.

The former Miss World winner, who has her fingers in a number of pies - ranging from cinema, playback singing, modelling and social causes - is also known for her penchant to make strong statements on current issues.

Be it racism, gender inequality, the glass ceiling or stereotyping, PC is not one to mince her words. As everyone's favourite 'Desi girl' turns 34 on 18 July, here are eight of her takes on pressing social issues:

On the pay disparity in the film industry

"I feel we have strong female performers, and the day female-oriented films do well at the Box Office it will lead to a (change in remuneration for actresses). I think we will be able to command a remuneration that we deserve. It will be a slow and steady thing but it will happen".

On being a hardworking woman

"I think a woman's greatest secret is that nobody knows her hardships. And I am that kind of a woman. Neither do I like talking about my hardships nor my achievements".

On sexism

"I think women have been treated like second-class people, no matter where in the world we go".

On feminism

"Unfortunately, feminism has been tagged with man-bashing and man-berating and man-hating, which it's not. A feminist is just a person who is saying, 'Give me my right according to my merit and don't see me as a woman or a man. Give me a job because I'm good at it.'"

On racism

"I think it is important to have a colorblind world, and the world's ready for that. We've spent enough time on the color of someone's skin; we need to start focusing on abilities and who's best for the job. That'll bring a form of equality to the world".

On breaking stereotypes

"I wanted to make sure that Indian talent is recognised without the box that we are usually kept in. Everybody doesn't speak like Apu from The Simpsons. We all don't smell of curry. We all are not ugly-looking nerds, who are shy and always keep sitting behind their computers. Yes, we are very proud of our big families but that doesn't mean ki har gaadi mein se 15 log bahar niklenge. In global pop-culture, we are always represented like that. I wanted to break that".

On representing India at a global scale

"I truly believe that everything that has happened to me, all of it, is just about one or maybe two percent of the respect Indian actors deserve in the world. We have always been boxed into thinking that we can do only certain things, but we are worth so much more. I want to be able to open up gateways for Indian talent. They should get opportunities by coming there and I hope they are even more successful than I am."

On child education

"My father always told me, 'You should not want to fit into someone else's glass slipper. You should shatter the glass ceiling.' (He) instilled confidence in me, and that doesn't happen for so many kids. I can't eradicate poverty, but at least for the people around me, I can help make sure no child is denied a dream."