Quantico: Why the show is special not just for Priyanka Chopra

From winning the Miss World title in 2000 to trudging the path up to being an international star, Priyanka Chopra has come a long way.

She has been one of the leading women in Bollywood since a while and her tryst with international television doesn't seem to have placed brakes on her Bollywood career. She will be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani in December followed by Jai Gangaajal next year. There are three projects in her kitty, the details of which are not out yet.

However, taking into account all her previous acting and musical projects, Quantico seems special. Why?

Because it stars an Indian in the lead

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Unlike in India, television in the West is serious business. So, it's great news to hear that Priyanka Chopra is playing the lead in an ABC thriller TV show.

Because it will make 'our' Priyanka Chopra a household name in the West

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While Quantico is the first international TV show to star an Indian actor in the lead, the show, if it achieves success on par with expectations, will make Chopra a household name in US.

As BBC said, Priyanka is still not a big name outside. In their report titled 'Is Quantico really Priyanka Chopra's big Hollywood break?,' they wrote:

"Chopra is still not a household name in the US. In fact, it is safe to say that despite her music, and even the stunning Guess Jeans campaign that was shot by Bryan Adams in late 2013, most Americans do not know the Bollywood star."

Because an Indian is promoted for her 'talent'

Photo: Twitter

The show, which stars Chopra as Alex Parrish, an FBI agent, will premiere on 27 September on ABC. However, in India, it will be aired from 3rd October on Star World. Priyanka has, reportedly, shot Hindi promos for the show as well.

While the channel has taken a risk by making Priyanka the centre of attention in the promotions of Quantico, it is good to see posters of an Indian actress all over major American cities - Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC, New York etc. This is wonderful not because she has cracked some big deal with a leading cosmetic brand, but because she earned her place on these hoardings and posters through her talent.

Because Priyanka Chopra is just not a 'name' in it

Photo: a collage of screen grabs

How many Indian actresses got to play a badass cop on Indian small screen? I can recall Mandira Bedi in 24, which was again the rip off of an international TV series. Priyanka's character in Quantico is gutsy.

Not because she is shown having a casual sex with a guy in car, without even knowing his name. But, because she is shown as a 'woman' with enough courage to clear her name after being charged for being the mastermind behind the most deadly terrorist attack in US since 9/11. According to the actress, her character spills the nuances of being a modern woman and not just a FBI agent. Talking to The Post, Chopra said:

"She's [Alex Parrish] ballsy and bold and yet, at the same time, she's feminine and vulnerable and [is] a celebration of female empowerment."

And because maybe we could give it chance

Photo: Quantico poster

As Indians, we love most American TV shows and binge-watch them. We can't stop talking about thriller shows like Breaking Bad, The Killing, Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, Homeland, Hannibal, 24 et all. So, if a new TV show is coming up, boasting of content that we love watching on English channels, why can't it be special for us?

In fact, this time, we have a reason to watch it!

Also read: Between Sunny Leone and Priyanka Chopra, it's a mutual admiration club