Exclusive - Priyanka Chahar Choudhary: We are four sisters and two brothers as my grandfather always wanted a male child

Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, who is one of the popular stars of Indian Television and has been part of successful projects like Udaariyaan, Bigg Boss 16, had her share of trials and tribulations. The actress recently joined ETimes TV for an exclusive chat where she spoke about her early days and struggle period. She further opened up about growing up in a strict environment with reservations and how there are six siblings in the family, four sisters and two brothers as her grandfather wanted a male child in the family. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, the atmosphere in our house while growing up was very strict. We had so many brothers and sisters and our dad knew strictness se he kaam chalne waala hai.. thankfully all of us are really good and disciplined and well mannered. I would like to credit our father for our disciplined upbringing because he was very strict and we were able to achieve things in life. For me especially strictness was very necessary as I was always a free bird and only being strict could have controlled me. Our mom was our go to person to keep secrets. (Photo: Instagram)

I never took or felt bad about this pressure of having a male child in the family. I always find these situations very comical, Mujhe hassi aati hai… ke kyun yaar? But now when I see we are six brothers and sisters. After my elder sister’s wedding the entire house felt empty. I started to think Jinke Sirf do bacche hote hain unka kya hota hai… I was the naughtiest one and would keep comparing. But our parents never made anyone feel less important. My father always said you are like my son, though I objected to this also why this comparison between beta and beti… I’m your daughter. It was my grandfather's wish to have a male child. In fact, one of our sisters passed away when she was very young, she was a twin sister. It was for my Dadaji’s wish ke betiyaan hoti gayi to have a son. We were five sisters and when our brother was born by that time our grandfather passed away. Unko hi dekhna tha… pote ke chehra. (Photo: Instagram)

There were restrictions while growing up. My father never underlined them but it was very clear that we are not supposed to wear revealing clothes. I was not allowed to wear sleeveless while growing up, I never wore it but now my parents have also evolved with time. I think bacche Badal dete hain parents ko. My eldest sister never wore jeans while growing up. I feel kids have the power to make their parents understand and evolve their mindset. (Photo: Instagram)

When I shifted to Mumbai I had made my mind very clear that I have got the opportunity to stay alone in Mumbai and chase my dream. So I would never misuse this freedom and trust that my father has shown. Because what happens when you see all this glitz and glamour of the city, you tend to lose your ground. So my focus was very clear to just work. Touchwood I never had to struggle too much. Shayad I was so focused and hard working that God just kept giving me opportunities. (Photo: Instagram)

I started with print shoots and started earning and it made things easy for me to survive in Mumbai. I never got rigid that I will only do acting, I knew I have to manage my expenses on my own. Mujhe mera rent bhi pay karna hai, guzara bhi karna hai.. I was staying in PG at that time and I had my savings from the anchoring jobs that I did in Jaipur. I survived on that savings. Rest I did not have any other lavish expenses. I’m very sound as a person when it comes to meeting expenses. I do it very well. (Photo: Instagram)

I have gone through a lot of rejections. I used to audition for everything but would never get a reply. I would keep asking yaar call kyu nahi karte… I realised that I was not a mature actor at that time and I didn’t know anything about acting. With years I’ve learnt and I’ve worked on myself and probably that’s why I didn’t bag anything. I feel rejections are very important for every individual and it makes you a different person. For me rejections and failures are no big deal, I am prepared for them anytime. (Photo: Instagram)

It has happened to me once but I’m a very positive person and I don't feel bad. I was shooting a song in Punjab around 4-5 years ago and I bagged another one. I was to shoot for the song in the next 2-3 days. I was supposed to shoot for another one. I was staying in Punjab waiting to shoot for my next song. I got a call just a night ago and was told they had changed the artist. I loved that song, it was very nice and I felt bad because I wanted to do that song. But it didn’t work out. I didn’t feel bad, I moved on very easily. Maybe I have vented out so many emotions in the past that I’ve become strong. I don’t feel bad. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, I have faced body shaming in fact it happened in the Bigg Boss house as well. Now, there is an awareness about it but people still body shame others for being overweight or underweight. I was shamed for being underweight. I feel after 25 everyone's body needs exercise. It’s not always that you are working out to a hot figure, but it’s because I want to be healthy physically. Everyone has their own choice as to why they want to do it. (Photo: Instagram)

When I was shamed for being underweight, I lost confidence. It affected me initially but I am very stubborn as I said I don’t feel bad about things easily. But initially, it did affect me and I would feel awkward sitting socially. Like today I am sitting here and giving this interview confidently, but back then when I was anchoring they would pass comments like “arre ye toh Choti si bacchi hai patli si, Dubli see..”. I used to feel but you should see how I’m doing my job or how good I'm at it, and how my voice is. They would not give me events because of it. Bachpana tha tab toh it would affect me but now I don’t let it affect me. (Photo: Instagram)