Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Priyanka's memoir has interesting moments but doesn’t delve deep enough

Priyanka's memoir has interesting moments but doesn’t delve deep enough

POPULAR actress Priyanka Chopra has just released a memoir titled Unfinished, which charts her rise from anonymity to becoming the most famous Indian celebrity in the world.

The book covers her life from a childhood in India and teenage years in USA to winning the Miss World pageant, making it in Bollywood and breaking through internationally. There is also a whole section dedicated to her romance and eventual marriage to pop star Nick Jonas, along with anecdotes from her life.


Each chapter starts off with a famous quote and then flows freely with an easy-to-follow writing style, which never feels like a struggle. Although the multi-talented star shares challenges, high and lows throughout the book, the whole journey is overly romanticised, which takes away somewhat from her inspiring rise.

Despite her childhood being one of constantly moving, being put in boarding school and getting sent to the USA to study, it comes across as privileged and her trying to dress it up as some sort of struggle. A long time is spent on this early portion of her life and surprisingly, little is written about her time in Bollywood, which is what made her a star.

She touches upon interesting topics during her time in Hindi cinema, like bullying, sexism, unprofessional male stars and being unfairly booted off projects, but only scratches the surfaces, which is a shame as that is perhaps the most compelling section. The actress also admits to high-profile relationships in Bollywood, but she doesn’t give names or go into detail and the emotional impact of each. One section that will cause debate is her explanation for the shape of her nose changing, which comes across as less than believable.

Having more focus on that glamorous life and listing her achievements, instead of going deeper into her career struggles, makes this a lightweight read that has interesting moments, but it is not enough to turn this book into what it should have been.

More For You

National Trust’s ambitious vision: Reaching beyond boundaries to embrace diversity
Powis Castle in Welshpool, Powys

National Trust’s ambitious vision: Reaching beyond boundaries to embrace diversity

THE National Trust intends taking the organisation beyond its 5.5 million members, who are thought to be mainly white and middle class.

Hilary McGrady, director-general and René Olivieri, chairman of the National Trust, made this pledge at a reception held last Tuesday (26) at the Science Museum. They outlined a long-term strategy, set to be announced in January.

Keep ReadingShow less
Untold journeys of Punjabi women come alive in 'The Valley of Queens'
The poster for The Valley of Queens

Untold journeys of Punjabi women come alive in 'The Valley of Queens'

INSPIRATIONAL stories of Punjabi women who came to the UK in the 1960s and 1970s take centre stage in The Valley of Queens, featuring singing, dancing and stories that have remained unshared – till now.

Written by Kiren Jogi, who is also part of the cast, the play provides an insight into the lives of south Asian women who settled in Sandwell Valley, West Bromwich.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘Majboor’ at 50: Revisiting Amitabh Bachchan’s timeless thriller and its most iconic moments

‘Majboor’ at 50: Revisiting Amitabh Bachchan’s timeless thriller and its most iconic moments

HINDI cinema icon Amitabh Bachchan has an enviable repertoire of blockbusters that defined his superstardom, but among his most underrated gems is the suspenseful drama Majboor.

Released on December 6, 1974, this gripping tale of a terminally ill man who falsely confesses to a murder to secure his family’s future, only to fight for his innocence after being cured, remains a timeless classic.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kani Kusruti: India’s hidden gem shines bright on global screens
Kani Kusruti

Kani Kusruti: India’s hidden gem shines bright on global screens

THIS year, the world discovered one of India’s best-kept secrets, Kani Kusruti.

The acclaimed actress brought depth to successful web serials in multiple languages and delivered impactful performances in two contrasting films that made waves on the international festival circuit.

Keep ReadingShow less
National and Kiln champion diversity with ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and ‘The Purists’
From 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

National and Kiln champion diversity with ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and ‘The Purists’

THESE are halcyon days for black theatre audiences, with Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest at the National and The Purists at the Kiln in Kilburn, celebrating diversity.

To get to the Lyttelton Theatre at the National, I travelled on London Overland, which has been freshly christened the “Windrush Line” after the ship that brought immigrants from Jamaica to British shores in 1948.

Keep ReadingShow less