Priyanka Chopra: Asia's Wonder Woman

Breaking down barriers in Hollywood with her strong roles, Priyanka Chopra is a female powerhouse using her influence to save the world

- Jane Taylor

A former Miss World winner, Priyanka Chopra was already a major star in her native India prior to winning the lead role on the hit US TV series, Quantico. And she’s taken things to the next level in Baywatch, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Zac Efron, which recently hit the screens here.

“This is a very big movie and I’m working with two of the most popular actors in the world,” says the stunning actress, who will be turning 35 next month.

Priyanka was delighted to get the chance to star in the movie, as she was an avid fan of the TV series. “I grew up watching Baywatch in India, and my family would gather around the TV to watch the show. I was a huge fan of David Hasselhoff, and it’s a dream for me to now be part of the movie.” She’s watched it so often and so closely that she’s quite the master at the signature slow-mo beach run. “I love doing it,” she shares. “I would teach some of the other actors on the Baywatch set how to do the run!”

Initially, Priyanka was selected to play one of the lifeguards, but things took a turn after her Skype conversation with director Seth Gordon. The actress reveals, “We were supposed to speak for 15 minutes but our conversation lasted for over two hours. He had originally written the part of the villain for a man, but then he had the idea that it would be more exciting to change the character to a woman and that’s how I got the part,” she reveals.

In The Limelight

In Baywatch, Dwayne will take over David Hasselhoff’s role as Mitch Buchanon, while Zac plays Matt Brody. In addition, model Kate Upton slips into the famous red one-piece swimsuit of CJ Parker, the iconic character first made famous by Pamela Anderson. And Priyanka plays Victoria, a villain who makes life miserable for her famous male co-stars.