Throwback to Priyanka Chopra's Padma Shri moment with Rajinikanth amid her Golden Globes 2026 appearance

Priyanka Chopra made her third appearance at the Golden Globes 2026 and returned to the stage at one of Hollywood’s most prestigious award shows. She presented the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series Drama award alongside pop star Lalisa Manobal. The pair announced Noah Wyle as the winner for ‘The Pitt’. The moment also stirred memories of 2017, when Chopra told PTI about receiving the Padma Shri in the same room as Rajinikanth.

Priyanka Chopra shares a moment with Rajinikanth

In the January 2017 report by PTI, Chopra said the honour felt especially personal because she shared the ceremony with the Tamil superstar, who received the Padma Vibhushan. “I was very excited to get my Padma Shri with Rajinikanth sir,” she told PTI after the event. “He was getting the Padma Vibhushan but we were in the same room and that was really exciting for me as I am his huge fan.”


Chopra described the experience as a true fan moment. “He is such a big legend in the field of cinema. To watch him right in front of me being honoured by the President, that was exciting for me.” Chopra received India’s fourth-highest civilian honour from President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan. PTI noted that the Padma Shri also placed her among Bollywood peers such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.

Priyanka Chopra on balancing global work and personal pride

PTI reported that Chopra flew to India for a day from Los Angeles, where she was filming the second season of ‘Quantico’. She said the team helped her make the trip happen. “They are not shooting for one day. I requested them to shoot in weekend and my entire cast agreed to do it,” she said. “They know how important the honour is for me. ‘Quantico’ really made it happen with their schedules. It airs every Sunday, so they can’t stop shooting.”

Chopra also connected the award to her family’s background. “Being from the defence background, I value this award more,” she said. “My father would have been happy and proud today.” She added, “My uncle was with me while I was receiving the honour. He was there in his uniform with all his medals shining.”

Chopra wore a lime yellow Banarasi saree that day and spoke about her deep appreciation for Indian craftsmanship. Chopra entered Bollywood in 2003 with ‘The Hero Love Story of a Spy’ and built momentum with films such as ‘Aitraaz’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Saath Khoon Maaf’, ‘Barfi!’ and ‘Bajirao Mastani’. She later expanded her international slate, including ‘Baywatch’ opposite Dwayne Johnson


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