Priyanka Chopra's World View Lensed By Robbie Fimmano In 'Indian Summer' For InStyle July 2019

Salvatore Ferragamo blazer. Mother jeans. Sanjay Kasliwal choker.

Actor, activist Priyanka Chopra (Jonas) is styled by Julia von Boehm in ‘Indian Summer’ for InStyle Magazine’s July 2019 issue. Robbie Fimmano captures Chopra who sits down with Nandini D’Souza Wolfe for the interview ‘How Priyanka Chopra Jonas Will Change the World.’

J.Crew Shirt. Tarun Tahliani Skirt and underskirt. Chanel necklace, Sanjay Kasliwal ring. Manolo Blahnik heels. Photo: Robbie Rimmano

The former Miss India and Miss World 2000 about life purpose:

"Nobody put you on this earth to feel like shit. I think the point of existence is to make the journey the best that you can. Create your own circumstances."

Fendi dress. Commando bodysuit. Anita Dongre belt and ring. Photo: Robbie Fimmano

“I like learning, and I’m not so afraid of failure that I won’t attempt something,” Chopra says. “If you fail, which I have many times, and make risky choices, you just dust yourself off, get up, and try something else. It’s not the beginning of the end of everything.”

Tarun Tahiliani sari. Photo: Robbie Fimmano.

"I knew that American pop culture was not used to seeing Indians outside the box," she says. "I was definitely not signing up for something like My Big Fat Punjabi Wedding. Or something where people would see me as a Bollywood actor with, like, 15 people coming out of a car and all of those stereotypes. I wanted to be able to shift that narrative, because that’s the India I know."

The Marc Jacobs blouse, Mother jeans. Photo: Robbie Fimmano

Chopra shares news that she and her husband are working on a reality TV show based on India’s version of a rehearsal dinner called ‘A Week to Sangeet’, in which couples of diverse backgrounds enter a fierce dance competition. "Nick came up with it because he was blown away by how the dinner brings people together," she says.

Sabyasachi Calcutta sari, bra, and belt. Sanjay Kasliwal ring. Photo: Robbie Fimmano

Chopra is also working on her own version of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, having already pitched the romantic wedding comedy to Mindy Kaling who will write and potentially direct it.

"An all-Indian cast in a Hollywood movie — I don’t think I would have been able to pitch that in a room three years ago," admits Chopra Jonas. "Mindy and I were both super psyched about it." The star believes that “whether you’re a Bollywood actor or an American-born Indian, it seems that working from the inside out is the best way to break down stereotypes.”

Tarun Tahiliani cape. Oscar de la Renta jacket. Moschino Couture top. Photo: Robbie Fimmano

On the subject of her “Indian Summer” InStyle fashion shoot, Chopra says she loves saris — but with a clarification. “My problem is when it comes to Indian fashion, there are always these shiny, sequined, over-the-top Christmas-tree outfits. Those are not the saris I wear. I grew up with my mother wearing saris to the hospital, as a doctor. She’d wear these beautiful ones made of French chiffon, with a bindi over here," she says, pointing to her forehead. "And the nape of her neck would smell like Dior’s Poison. That, to me, was a modern woman. And that’s what I want to show the world. Indian designers make such incredible clothes that are inspired from beautiful embroidery and patterns."

Oscar de la Renta jacket and B Sides jeans. Photo: Robbie Fimmano

Chopra admits that she wants to create opportunities for a more diverse range of actors in American films. Ideally, casting directors evolve to a place "where your ethnicity is your asset, not your identity," she says. Read on at Instyle.