Overview
Parineeti Chopra is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindi cinema. She made her acting debut in 2011 with Yash Raj Films' Ladies vs Ricky Bahl and rose to prominence with her performance in Ishaqzaade (2012), for which she received the National Film Award – Special Mention. Known for her work in romantic comedies, dramas and biographical films, she has been recognised with a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut and several other industry honours.
Key facts
| Full name | Parineeti Chopra |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 October 1988, Ambala, Haryana, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Convent of Jesus and Mary, Ambala; Manchester Business School, United Kingdom |
| Degree | Triple honours in Business, Finance and Economics |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2011 – present |
| Debut film | Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011) |
| Spouse | Raghav Chadha (m. 2023) |
| Notable awards | National Film Award – Special Mention; Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut |
Background and early life
Parineeti Chopra was born on 22 October 1988 in Ambala, Haryana, into a Punjabi family. Her father, Pawan Chopra, runs a business, and her mother is Reena Chopra. She is a cousin of actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas. She completed her schooling at Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ambala before moving to the United Kingdom, where she earned a triple honours degree in Business, Finance and Economics from Manchester Business School. She had originally planned a career as an investment banker.
After returning to India during the global financial downturn, she joined Yash Raj Films in 2009 as a public relations consultant for the studio's marketing and PR division, eventually being signed on as an actress after a screen test.
Career
Debut and early work (2011–2013)
Chopra debuted in a supporting role in Maneesh Sharma's Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Her first lead role came in Habib Faisal's Ishaqzaade (2012), opposite Arjun Kapoor, in which she played Zoya Qureshi. The performance earned her the National Film Award – Special Mention and the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nominations were followed by widespread critical acclaim.
She followed this with Dibakar Banerjee's segment in Shanghai (2012) and a supporting role in Suddh Desi Romance (2013), directed by Maneesh Sharma, which brought her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Established actress (2014–2018)
Chopra played the lead in Rajkumar Santoshi's Hasee Toh Phasee (2014) opposite Sidharth Malhotra, and starred opposite Aditya Roy Kapur in Daawat-e-Ishq (2014). After a brief hiatus, she returned with the romantic drama Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017) opposite Ayushmann Khurrana, and appeared in Golmaal Again (2017), directed by Rohit Shetty, which became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of that year.
Recent work (2019–present)
Chopra featured in Kesari (2019) opposite Akshay Kumar, Jabariya Jodi (2019), and The Girl on the Train (2021), a Netflix adaptation of Paula Hawkins's novel. She played athlete Saina Nehwal in the biographical sports film Saina (2021), directed by Amole Gupte. Subsequent projects include Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021), directed by Dibakar Banerjee, Uunchai (2022) by Sooraj Barjatya, and Code Name: Tiranga (2022). In 2023, she starred in Mission Raniganj, based on the 1989 Raniganj coal mine rescue.
Other work
Beyond acting, Chopra is a trained singer and has lent her voice to playback songs in films including Meri Pyaari Bindu. She has been associated with brand endorsements and was appointed as a UNICEF brand ambassador for promoting girl-child education and welfare in India.
Personal life
On 24 September 2023, Chopra married Raghav Chadha, a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing the Aam Aadmi Party from Punjab. The wedding took place in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Awards and recognition
- National Film Award – Special Mention for Ishaqzaade
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for Ladies vs Ricky Bahl
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Suddh Desi Romance
- Multiple nominations for Best Actress at major Hindi film industry awards
Significance
Chopra is regarded as one of the prominent actresses of her generation in Hindi cinema, particularly noted for her early performances that broke from conventional leading-lady moulds. Her transition from a corporate marketing role at Yash Raj Films to a successful screen career is often cited in Indian film industry profiles. Her portrayals in films such as Ishaqzaade and Saina have drawn attention to her range across commercial and biographical genres.
Related topics
- Yash Raj Films
- Hindi Cinema
- Priyanka Chopra
- Filmfare Awards
- National Film Awards
- Raghav Chadha
- Saina Nehwal
- Ambala
References
- Filmographies and award listings maintained by the Filmfare Awards and the Directorate of Film Festivals, Government of India.
- Profiles published by Yash Raj Films and major Indian film trade publications.
- UNICEF India press communications regarding ambassadorial appointments.