Parineeti Chopra is receiving praise for her performance in the Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila, starring Diljit Dosanjh. In a recent episode of the Figuring Out With Raj Shamani podcast, the actor got real about his financial struggles in the early years of his acting career. She said she doesn’t make much money and was even advised to rethink her Bollywood career if she couldn’t afford gym expenses. Read also: Has being Priyanka Chopra’s cousin given Parineeti Chopra an ‘unfair advantage’? Here’s what she said
“I really don’t understand Bollywood”
Parineeti said she was not from a wealthy background as she recalled being advised to hire a personal fitness trainer and nutritionist, both costing around ₹2 lakh per month to lose weight.
The actor said, “I don’t come from a very rich background. Actually I am a very simple middle class girl. I really don’t understand Bollywood. I really don’t know how people work in Mumbai. I don’t have these high profile friends. I don’t have a trainer, a stylist, everything is already ready for me. And people who were already from here and already knew this world judged me a lot.”
“If you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t be in this profession”
Parineeti added, “I was like, ‘I don’t have ₹4 lakh per month to pay. I don’t make this money. This is my third film. And I remember going to a co-actor of mine who definitely grew up in Bombay, in that world. He said, “Why don’t you hire these people? It is important for your work. I said, “Listen, I really can’t afford it.” I was paid ₹5 lakh for my first film (Ladies vs Ricky Bal). That won’t even cover a month of everything. He said, “If you can’t afford it, then you shouldn’t be in this profession.” And I felt it was so wrong on so many levels.
She also recalled a time when people would suggest what to wear, but she couldn’t afford it and felt judged for it. Parineeti also talked about how flying business class and first class didn’t happen for her until much later in life. It was only after completing her fifth film and checking her bank account that Parineeti realized that she could finally afford to buy the things she wanted, like bags and shoes.
