Madhu Chopra, mother of popular actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, dons various hats. A business woman, film producer and physician, she is now the guest of honour at the grand launch of the beauty pageant ‘Queen of the World India’. The winner of the pageant will represent India at the ‘Queen of the World’ to be held in the USA in March 2022.
Madhu shares her thoughts on the pageant, her varied interests in life, her daughter and much more.
Excerpts from an interview:
‘Queen of the World India’ beauty pageant is unlike other pageants — it’s meant to empower women. What’s your take on it?
I’m happy that they have such a platform and am looking forward to see what they will achieve with it. To be crowned as the ‘Queen of the World’ comes with a lot of responsibilities.
Selecting women from India across different age groups is a big thing. What will the criteria of selection be?
Some of the criteria include poise, confidence, and the way the contestants talk — if they speak with depth in their answers. Also, they’d be marked for their clarity in thought because we believe these are important assets an individual must possess. Beauty is very superficial — it’s here today and disappears tomorrow.
What’s important is whether we’re effective and can work for as long as possible. Importantly, you must talk intelligently and tactfully.
Your daughter Priyanka has made not only her parents proud, but all of India. How do you see her future as a worldwide icon?
Priyanka has surpassed her struggling days and has come a long way. Every child can stand on the shoulders of their parents and grow up to a point, even as parents need to give them proper wings to fly. Then, the children must fly by themselves. Possessing intelligence, maintaining your poise and being confident and calm are the main things in showbiz, especially when you face the cameras of the world. And I don’t think I can take credit for what she’s today — that’s all her hard work.
You look very fit. What is your fitness mantra?
Health and fitness go hand in hand — one doesn’t exist without the other. Also, with this pandemic, being healthy is priority today. I have an exercise regime. I start my day with meditation. Besides Anulom–Vilom breathing and Surya Namaskar, I don’t really do yoga — I feel it’ll be a little difficult for me to do.
I drink at least one and half litres of water. By 11 a.m., I finish my workout, which includes cardio and aerobics and I do these with a trainer who trains me regularly via a Zoom call. Soon after I’m out for work.
Do you diet?
I do because our bodies’ metabolism slows down with age. So for breakfast, I take five coloured fruits — it could be papaya, watermelon, orange, banana and grapes. For lunch, I just have boiled eggs. On returning back from work around 5 p.m., I relish one full meal.
You are also into production. What are the films coming up under your production house?
We moved our production to America and Priyanka has been making films from there now, as it’s difficult for her to balance in both places. She has recently announced a Hindi film titled Jee Le Zaraa with director/writer Zoya Akhtar, which will go on floors next year. Zoya has finished the scriptwriting and the script has been locked. Casting and the other formalities are yet to begin. However, Farhan Akhtar is a part of the film.
Is it true that earlier, Priyanka would guide you online, on video production?
Yes, but it’s difficult for me to get her time now as Priyanka is handling many verticals now.
How would you describe your style statement today?
What style? I respect all kinds of outfits as long as they don’t look vulgar. And I believe everybody can wear any outfit of their choice. I don’t favour body-shaming at all. Whatever you feel you want to wear, go ahead and wear that outfit. If someone has a problem with what I am wearing, I don’t care.
