‘Strong, not ornamental’: Priyanka Chopra says she chooses films where her role has ‘agency’

Priyanka Chopra is meticulous when it comes to the characters she portrays. And her latest film Heads of State, which arrived on Amazon Prime Video on Wednesday, ticks all the boxes she looks for in a film.

ALSO READ | ‘Heads of State’: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Cena, and Idris Elba join forces in Prime Video’s action-packed comedy

During the London premiere of Heads of State, Chopra said she is more inclined to portray characters who are powerful over “ornamental” ones. In a conversation with PTI, she said, "I want to be proud of the work that I take on. So I try to take on characters that have agency and are strong and have something to do in the movies versus being ornamental.”

"I was proud of doing this movie because it's fun... the world's in a tough place and we need something to make us laugh," she continued.

A pattern can be seen in the type of Hollywood roles Chopra takes on—a woman with a gun. Be it her role as Alex Parrish in Quantico or as Nadia Sinh in Citadel, she seems to have an interest in playing government agents.

ALSO READ | Is Priyanka Chopra making her Bollywood comeback? Here’s what the actress has to say

So, what drew the actress to the brave MI6 agent Noel Bisset in Heads of State? "She's 10 steps ahead, she's always thinking ahead, she knows where she wants to go and is kind of fearless about it and makes a plan,” Chopra said. “She's not spontaneous and impulsive; she likes to plan, which I love about her.”

About ‘Heads of State’

Feuding leaders U.S. President Will Derringer and British Prime Minister Sam Clarke must sort out their differences when a World War III-level threat arrives at their doorstep. With the help of MI6 agent Noel Bisset, the trio attempts to thwart a global conspiracy. Helmed by Ilya Naishuller, the film stars John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, Jack Quaid, and Paddy Considine.

Entertainment