Parineeti Chopra debuted in Bollywood with Ladies vs Ricky Bahl a year after interning with YRF. (Image: Instagram)
Here’s a look at Parineeti Chopra’s career switch from marketing and communication to acting, and also her struggles and success in the field.
Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra turns 36 today, on October 22. From her small-side character debut with Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011) to leads in films like Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017) and The Girl on the Train (2021), Parineeti has come a long way.
This year, she headlined numerous articles because of her critically acclaimed performance in the Netflix original Amar Singh Chamkila (2024), starring opposite Diljit Dosanjh. However, her journey to the big screen has not been all roses and sunshine. She was previously associated with Yash Raj Films (YRF), but not as an actor, instead as a marketing and PR intern.
PARINEETI CHOPRA: MARKETING INTERN FOR YASH RAJ FILMS
Parineeti opened up about her time as a YRF marketing and PR intern on a television show called Figuring Out With Raj Shamani in April this year. Sharing her over one-year work experience, she said, “I did promotions for Rani for Dil Bole Hadippa, Deepika Padukone and Neil Nitin Mukesh for Lafangey Parindey and Anushka and Shahid Kapoor for their film Badmaash Company.”
She was responsible for all the needs of the Bollywood actors while they were on set. “I would line up interviews for these actors and order coffees for them,” she said. She mentioned her last film as an intern at the YRF studio being Band Baaja Baarat (2010). After that, she was determined to make her mark in the Hindi film industry as an actress.
PARINEETI CHOPRA: EARLY CAREER
A year after her internship period, Parineeti received her first big screen role with Aditya Chopra casting her as Dimple Chadda in the romantic comedy Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011). Though she had limited screen time, her performance was praised by critics. She even won the Filmfare Award in the Best Debut Female category.
Her big break came in the next year itself with Ishaqzaade (2012), where she played Zoya Qureshi, a young rebellious girl from a political background family, who dared to indulge in a love affair with a boy of a rival political family.
PARINEETI CHOPRA: ICONIC ROLE
After delivering a theatrical hit with Ishaqzaade, Parineeti went on to do films of varied genres. Among them, her most memorable role remains Bindu Shankarnarayanan from Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017).
Bindu is a breath of fresh air in one’s monotonous life. The audience greatly resonated with the bubbly and fickle Bindu, her heartwarming smile, and even her loose life decisions. Bindu’s dynamics with Abhimanyu ‘Bubla’ Roy (Ayushmann Khurrana) melted hearts. From nostalgic 90s Hindu songs to old Calcutta lanes, this film records India in its rawness.
ALSO READ: Parineeti Chopra, Rakul Preet Singh Flaunt Their Minimalist Mehendi As They Celebrate Karwa Chauth
PARINEETI CHOPRA: COMPLEX FILM CHARACTERS
Besides romcoms, Parineeti has also explored some complex and commendable on-screen characters. She played an alcoholic and troubled divorcee in the Netflix mystery thriller The Girl on the Train (2021) and an undercover agent in Code Name: Tiranga (2022). She also delivered powerful performances in biopics, by playing Amarjot Kaur in Amar Singh Chamkila (2024) and the role of Saina Nehwal in Saina (2021). However, she still feels she lacks adequate opportunities in the field.
PARINEETI CHOPRA: CAREER STRUGGLES
Earlier this year, in an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Parineeti talked about how getting work in Bollywood does not depend only on merit. “Getting work in Bollywood doesn’t only depend on merit or acting, you have to be in cliques and camps to get roles. I am not present at the right place at the right time. I am not getting papped every day,” she said.
ALSO READ: Parineeti Chopra ‘Got Some Hugs’ From This Person. No, It’s Not Raghav Chadha
She further talked about how B-town parties are a big stage for casting opportunities. “I don’t go to dinners and lunches or attend parties where work opportunities are created in Bollywood or those roles are discussed. I want directors and producers to call me for my work because I am willing to work hard,” Parineeti said.
Not just Parineeti, even the audience wants to see more of her. In which type of role would you like to see her next?
