Parineeti Chopra says not attending Bollywood parties cost her jobs: ‘You have to be in cliques and camps to get roles’

Parineeti Chopra, who features as Amarjot Kaur in Amar Singh Chamkila, spoke about the system of lobbying in the industry.

Parineeti Chopra, who is being praised for her performance in the film Amar Singh Chamkila, in which she plays the slain singer Amarjot Kaur, waited for almost 10 years for an opportunity like it. In a recent interview, she opened up about the lack of opportunities and wrong career decisions which have kept her away from the right kind of projects and roles. “I don’t go to dinners and lunches or attend parties where work opportunities are created in Bollywood or those roles are discussed. I want directors and producers to call me for my work because I am willing to work hard. I won a National Award for Ishaqzaade 10 years ago. I am still the same actor,” she told Bollywood Hungama.

Following the release of Netflix’s Amar Singh Chamkila and the appreciation she has been getting for her performance alongside Diljit Dosanjh, an overwhelmed Parineeti took to her Instagram handle to write, “Parineeti is back. These words are ringing loud. Hadn’t thought of this. Yes, I am back, and not going anywhere! (sic).” Speaking about the system of lobbying in Bollywood and how actors who don’t socialise with other stars and producers, miss out on significant films, she said, “Getting work in Bollywood doesn’t only depend on merit or acting, you have to be in cliques and camps to get roles. I am not present at the right place at the right time. I am not getting papped every day.” Parineeti, who is the cousin of Priyanka Chopra, admitted, “My PR game sucks.”

The actor said that many talented artistes don’t get the parts they deserve simply because they are socially awkward and aren’t seen at glamorous events and get-togethers. “I want to be the voice for actors who aren’t parts of cliques and camps. I hope we break this system of lobbying in Bollywood because I want equal opportunities and work. I may have done the wrong films, but I am the same actor who started 10 years ago and is in search of the right platform,” she said. Parineeti had to gain 15 kilos for her role in Amar Singh Chamkila. The actor revealed that she couldn’t take up any other project during that time and didn’t make enough public appearances or did brand shoots.

In her decade-long career, Parineeti has been seen in films such as Ishaqzaade, Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, Shuddh Desi Romance, Hasee Toh Phasee, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, Golmaan Again, Mission Raniganj, The Girl on The Train and Meri Pyaari Bindu among others. However, Parineeti divulged that not many directors have recognised her talent. She credited her directors Dibakar Banerjee and Imtiaz Ali for parts like Amarjot (Amar Singh Chamkila) and Sandeep (Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar) which helped her prove her acting prowess. “Dibakar Banerjee and Imtiaz sir are similar. They’re not seen everywhere, every day. They cast me for my work and saw the actor in me. Meri pichli do filmein flop thi (My last two films flopped) but they didn’t look at my market value,” said Parineeti.