Priyanka Chopra Jonas has spent more than two decades carving a path that few could have predicted. From winning the Miss World pageant in 2000 to becoming one of the most recognizable Indian actors in Hollywood, she has consistently defied expectations. At the Cannes Lions 2026 panel titled 'Building Legacy: Moving Culture through Originality and Borderless Expression,' she shared the philosophy that drives her relentless ambition: 'If I'm told no, I want to do it even more.'

Speaking with PEOPLE President Leah Wyar, Chopra Jonas, 43, reflected on the key to sustaining a long-lasting career in entertainment. She emphasized that perfection is not the goal — connection is. 'I always want to be authentic to myself in everything I do, but keeping people's attention is a really tough job, and you can only do it through evolution,' she said. 'I can make mistakes, I'm human, I don't get everything right. Over time, I realized that emotional connection came from saying, 'I made a mistake' ... and I think that's okay.'

This vulnerability, she noted, has allowed her to build a loyal fanbase that spans the globe. Her career, which began in Bollywood with films like 'The Hero: Love Story of a Spy' (2003) and 'Aitraaz' (2004), soon expanded to American television with the hit series 'Quantico' (2015-2018). That show made her the first South Asian actor to lead a network drama, breaking barriers for representation.

But even as she achieved mainstream success, Chopra Jonas faced resistance. 'When I came to America, I wanted more work which had me as a lead, which had me doing parts that I don't think a lot of studios imagined an Indian actor doing. So I started producing my own movies,' she recalled. This entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch her production company, Purple Pebble Pictures, in 2015. The company has produced several films in India and co-produced the British television series 'The World of Zayyan.'

One of her most recent projects is the Prime Video film 'The Bluff,' in which she stars as Ercell 'Bloody Mary' Bodden, a retired Caribbean pirate forced to protect her family from invading buccaneers. The film, based on true events, became a global hit. 'I was really shocked at how many countries it was number one in because, first of all, it was a female story, second of all, about a female pirate, that most people didn’t know existed,' she said. The success reinforced her belief that stories with universal themes of resilience and identity can transcend borders.

Chopra Jonas also spoke about the importance of global outlook in modern entertainment. With streaming services breaking down geographic barriers, she noted that audiences now seek content from all over the world. 'My mom loves Korean dramas. She would never have had access to those if it wasn’t for both of those factors,' she said, pointing to the phenomenon of 'Squid Game' and 'Parasite.' Her upcoming project 'Varanasi,' which will be filmed in Telugu, a Southern Indian language, and dubbed into nearly 200 languages, exemplifies this borderless approach.

Throughout her career, Chopra Jonas has been vocal about the glass ceiling women face in the industry. 'I've heard this from so many female colleagues: When you want to move along and there's a glass ceiling that's been set for most women in entertainment, you just have to do it yourself,' she said. This mindset has driven her to seek out roles and projects that challenge stereotypes, from playing a cyber terrorist in 'Quantico' to a deadly assassin in 'The Matrix Resurrections' (2021).

Her next film 'Reset,' a survival thriller co-starring Orlando Bloom, continues this trend. She described it as a story about human endurance and the will to survive against all odds. 'I always look for characters that have depth and agency,' she said. 'It's not about being the hero all the time — it's about being real.'

On partnerships, Chopra Jonas said authenticity is key. 'To be the best partner, I had to have an authentic partnership, I had to come from something that was real,' she explained. Whether working with brands or fellow creators, she stresses the importance of aligning with those who share her vision. 'I built my career on my own, I've worked for 26 years to keep evolving, to keep that attention. You seek aligning with the best, and it's okay to give yourself permission to seek better every time.'

Her journey from a small-town girl in India to a global icon is a testament to the power of self-belief. She has also used her platform to advocate for social causes, including education for girls through the Priyanka Chopra Jonas Foundation, and mental health awareness. At Cannes, she also touched on the importance of mentorship, saying, 'When new people come into film and TV, that is my sweet spot. I want to, as a production house, to be the shoulders for entertainers and creators to jump off, because I created a platform and I know how hard it is.'

The panel concluded with a discussion on the evolving definition of success. Chopra Jonas noted that in today's fragmented media landscape, true success comes from staying true to one's values while constantly adapting. 'Evolution is not just about changing your look or your roles — it's about changing your mindset,' she said. 'You have to be willing to take risks, fail, and learn from those failures. That's how you build a legacy that lasts.'

Source: MSN News