Priyanka Chopra on Bvlgari, Her Upcoming Pirate Movie 'The Bluff' and Why She’ll Always Be an Indian Actor at Heart

“She’s coming,” says a rep from Mumbai’s Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) — and the room shifts. Phones go up, lifts are held, cameras are set up. That's when Priyanka Chopra walks in. It’s a packed day of media interactions, but she’s unhurried — dressed in an elegant cream lace ensemble, and accessorised with one of Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti necklaces, two rings and bracelet. She stands at ease in the middle of the Art House at NMACC, where the brand is hosting its glamorous Serpenti Infinito exhibit.

As one would expect, she’s trailed by a full entourage — hair and make-up teams, brand reps, venue managers, media crews and security. But the global brand ambassador is smiling, unflustered, making time for everyone. “It’s just a quick work trip,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter India with a laugh.

Since 2021, she has served as ambassador for Bvlgari — a collaboration that feels more personal than a typical celebrity-brand tie-up. Chopra was among the first Indian actors of her generation to fully break into Hollywood at that scale, and like her, Bvlgari has a long history of bringing Italian design to life through Indian gemstones and craftsmanship.

The diasporic actor has just wrapped shooting The Bluff, a period adventure set in the 19th-century Caribbean and produced by the Russo Brothers, where she stars as a former pirate confronting the ghosts of her past. She’s gearing up for Citadel season 2, reuniting with Richard Madden under Joe Russo’s direction. She’s also confirmed to join SS Rajamouli’s much-anticipated SSMB29, alongside actor Mahesh Babu.

Despite the quiet that falls in the room when she begins to speak — a reliable measure of stardom — she has a warmth that cuts through. In a quick, candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Chopra opens up about her evolving relationship with jewellery, navigating two industries, and what her Indian identity means to her today.

Excerpts from the conversation:

THR India: What does it mean to you to represent Bvlgari as a brand ambassador, knowing that their gemstones are sourced from your home country?

Priyanka Chopra: I feel really, really proud being associated with an incredible brand like Bvlgari, for so many years now. A lot of international brands take inspiration from our heritage and culture but sometimes forget to give [due] credit. Bvlgari never does that; they have always given India credit for its craftsmanship and gemstones. This partnership, between Italy and India, makes it possible to create such exceptional pieces.

THR India: Do you remember the first piece of jewellery you ever bought?

PC: The first piece of substantial jewellery I ever bought was a two-carat diamond. It was very early on [in my career], from the signing amount of one of my first few movies. My mother said this was me becoming a woman, buying my diamonds myself!

THR India: How do you go about selecting your jewellery for major red carpet events like the Cannes Film Festival or the Met Gala? Is your approach different when it comes to movie premieres?

PC: It really depends on the piece of jewellery that I intend to wear, and the outfit goes around that or the other way around. I don’t think I have a different mindset when I’m picking for a premiere versus any other red carpet. What I'm wearing depends on what I'm trying to convey.

THR India: So, you’re not a fan of method dressing?

PC: Not if it's about following trends, but if it lends itself to [the movie], then yeah. It’s fun to find an interpretation of a theme.

THR India: Speaking of films, what was it like shooting for The Bluff with the Russo Brothers?

PC: It was incredible, shooting The Bluff and collaborating once again, with the Russo Brothers [after Citadel]. They have such an incredible team. This movie is exceptional because it is told in a very specific time and I’m very proud of it. I think it will come out sometime next year, hopefully.

THR India: Now that you’ve worked on so many successful Hollywood movies, do you consider yourself to be a more global actor or an Indian one at heart?

PC: I’m Indian, and I’m an actor. That makes me an Indian actor. I’ve always said this, but I love my job. I'm very privileged to be one of the few people who get to be a part of this incredibly robust industry. So, I’ll go wherever my work takes me.

THR India: What projects are you most excited for in the upcoming year?

PC: You ask me questions I can’t give you answers for! But I’m excited for the next year because I’m in development on a lot of things. I’m on set with something I’m very excited about. I’m trying to look at a lot of creative things, to find something that pushes and challenges me.