Parineeti Chopra: I’m glad that people don’t just know me as Priyanka Chopra’s cousin

Actor Parineeti Chopra, who turned 29 on October 22, is celebrating the success of Golmaal Again, and she says that ‘some really gutsy films’ helped her establish her own identity in Bollywood.

A year that had begun on a low note for Parineeti Chopra has started looking up — and it’s hard to beat success as a birthday gift. The actor, who turned 29 on October 22, says that working in the comedy drama Golmaal Again has been a “surreal experience” so far, more so because her Bollywood career until now has been “a mixed bag of emotions.”

Actor Parineeti Chopra calls her career a mix bag of emotions.

She had several hits during her initial years — Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (2011), Ishaqzaade (2012), Shudh Desi Romance (2013), and Hasee Toh Phasee (2014) — followed by two flops — Daawat-E-Ishq and Kill Dil (2014). And this year’s previous release Meri Pyaari Bindu didn’t do well. “Of course, it’s very difficult to take [low points], but I realised that even the biggest of actors [go] through ups and downs. You always feel, ‘Oh, it’s happening with me’, but it’s actually happens with everyone,” says Parineeti, adding that she’s glad she saw the full spectrum of being an actor.

“That really helped me become a better actor and a better professional. No other profession goes through so much scrutiny and emotional highs and lows as that of an actor. So, I feel I’m being prepared very well,” says Parineeti.

However, she’s quick to add, “I’m proud of being [Priyanka’s] sister. When people come up to me and say, ‘Look, how well she is doing,’ I feel as if I have done something [great]. It’s that love for her that I have. And she herself told me, when I was starting out, that ‘You have to do this on your own.’ It had to be done with my work, and thankfully, that happened.”

While she’s an established professional, Parineeti is still a child at heart when it comes to celebrating birthdays. Asked if there’re any big plans this year, she quips, “According to me, it should be a global holiday, because my birthday is too important. I’m that person who starts counting days from January.”

Recounting the most special birthday memory that she’ll always cherish, Parineeti shares, “Last year was the best birthday I’ve ever had. It was my 28th and I celebrated with some 30 of my friends. We partied for two days straight and have the best stories from those days.”

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