Priyanka Chopra made her debut in Bollywood with Hero: Love Story of a Spy, a film directed by Anil Sharma, best known for helming the Gadar movies. However, her journey into the film industry was far from smooth. At a crucial moment, when a failed nose job almost led her to leave Bollywood, Anil Sharma played a key role in persuading her to stay.
The director not only retained Priyanka in Hero but also convinced producers Sunil Darshan and Subhash Ghai to cast her in Andaaz and Aitraaz, respectively. These films ultimately played a significant role in establishing her as a leading actress in the industry.
In a recent interview, Anil Sharma reflected on this phase of Priyanka’s career. He clarified that he does not claim credit for her success but believes that destiny often places the right people at the right time in one’s life. “I don’t have any hand in her success. She is talented, and when someone possesses such immense potential, sometimes God sends people to give them a push. I believe I was one of those people for her,” he shared.
Despite her global stardom today, Priyanka has maintained her bond with Anil Sharma. He fondly recalled, “Whenever she sees me in a crowd of 100 people, she comes to meet me. We share a good relationship, and I also had a warm connection with her late father.”
However, Anil never collaborated with Priyanka again after Hero: Love Story of a Spy. When asked about it, he explained, “She became such a big star, and for me to cast her again, the role should match her stature.”
In a previous interview, Anil had revealed the extent of Priyanka’s struggles post her botched surgery. She lost multiple projects and even returned the signing amount of ₹5 lakh for Hero, convinced that her Bollywood career had ended before it could properly begin. She had decided to move back to Bareilly, where her father was posted in the Army.
Recalling the moment, Anil said, “She came with the cheque and told me she had been fired. She was ready to leave Mumbai. I refused to take the money and scolded her a little. That’s when she confided in me about what had happened with her nose.”
Priyanka’s parents, too, were ready to return to Bareilly, believing that with time, things would improve, and they could come back later. “They were paying a high rent in Mumbai and weren’t super-rich people. I told them not to go,” Anil revealed.
His encouragement and faith in Priyanka ultimately played a role in keeping her in the industry—where she went on to become one of Bollywood’s most celebrated stars.
