Priyanka Chopra is a global star today, but her journey was not without challenges. In a recent interview with Lehren Retro, her mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra , shared a shocking incident from Priyanka’s teenage years.
After returning from the U.S., Priyanka’s appearance attracted unwanted attention. One day, a boy broke into their home in Bareilly, leaving the family shaken. Concerned for her safety, Priyanka’s father took strict security measures, turning their house into a fortress. This incident also led Priyanka to change her lifestyle.
Before becoming a star, Priyanka spent part of her teenage years in Bareilly after returning from the U.S. She had adapted to American fashion, speech, and behavior, which made her stand out in her hometown. However, this also drew a lot of unwanted attention.
Madhu recalled that they enrolled Priyanka in a convent school and made sure she was always picked up and dropped off by car. Her father, Dr. Ashok Chopra , was very strict about her safety. However, this didn’t stop local boys from following her.
Madhu stated, “We put her in a convent school. We would pick and drop her in the car because her father was strict that she couldn’t go anywhere alone. Boys started following our car, so it started getting unsafe."
The situation became serious when an unknown boy jumped over the boundary wall and entered their house. This alarming incident worried the family, prompting Priyanka’s father to take strict measures to ensure her safety.
“One day, a boy jumped our fence and entered our house. That was scary. The next day, her father covered the entire house with iron bars. From the boundary to the terrace… even monkeys couldn’t enter. That house is still the same,” Priyanka's mother revealed.
Worried about Priyanka’s safety, Madhu and her husband thought about moving to a bigger city where she would attract less attention. “I told my husband that Priyanka does not belong in Bareilly. Maybe we should move to Delhi. He said, ‘We will put her in an army school so she can move with us.’”
Before moving, something unexpected happened.
After security was tightened, Priyanka’s father had a private talk with her. No one knows what was said, but it led to a sudden change in her wardrobe choices.
Madhu further added, "The next day, she came back from school and said she wanted to go shopping. I took her, and she selected such dull and drab clothes… all salwar-kurtas. She picked colors like off-white, brown, beige—just to look dull.”
Priyanka’s mother never knew what her father told her, but after that, she stopped wearing western clothes in Bareilly.
Her story shows how safety concerns affect young girls in small towns. Her parents took strict measures to protect her.
Now a Bollywood star and global icon, Priyanka has spoken about facing body shaming, sexism, and societal pressure. This story from her mother adds to the challenges she overcame.