Priyanka Chopra is ‘excited, elated and humbled’ to receive Padma Shri

Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra is elated that she will be bestowed with a Padma Shri award. “I am the daughter of two army officers and it’s extremely exciting for me. I’ve been in Montreal for six months and this has come as a bolt from the blue,” says Priyanka, whose father Dr Ashok Chopra and mother, Dr Madhu Chopra, were doctors in the army.

Actor Priyanka Chopra is elated that she will be bestowed with a Padma Shri award. “I am the daughter of two army officers and it’s extremely exciting for me. I’ve been in Montreal for six months and this has come as a bolt from the blue,” says Priyanka, whose father Dr Ashok Chopra and mother, Dr Madhu Chopra, were doctors in the army.

Priyanka Chopra poses at ELLE's Annual Women in Television dinner in Los Angeles, California January 20. (REUTERS)

The actor, who is currently shooting for her international show Quantico, says she had no idea she would be selected for the award. “I was not expecting it at all. I just read about it in the news a couple of days ago… then my mom got to know about it and she told me. I am so glad she is here with me!” she says.

Priyanka Chopra poses with her award for favourite actress in a new TV series at the People's Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater on January 6 in Los Angeles.

Priyanka, who will next be seen playing a cop in Prakash Jha’s next Jai Gangaajal, says that getting a Padma Shri is humbling. “I think at any stage in your career, getting a Padma Shri is extremely exciting. It’s one of the highest civilian honours of our country. And to be recognised by the government for the work that you have done and your contribution to the nation is a wonderful feeling. I am extremely humble and very excited,” she says.

Apart from Priyanka, Ajay Devgn has been named for Padma Shri awards, besides a posthumous Padma Shri for actor Saeed Jaffrey. Filmmakers SS Rajamouli, Madhur Bhandarkar and Nila Madhab Panda have also been selected for Padma Shri awards.

Tamil star Rajinikanth and classical singer Girija Devi have been selected for Padma Vibhushan. Bollywood actor Anupam Kher and singer Udit Narayan have been named for Padma Bhushan.

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