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Affair

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Rarely does a past Bollywood actress garner such widespread notice during the year’s most buzzworthy entertainment event.

However, after walking the Met Gala’s blue carpet a week ago, Priyanka Chopra could be an exception to the rule.

The actress who was born in India has gained significant recognition in Hollywood through her appearances in the series Quantico and Citadel. She’s also friends with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and to top it off, she is married to Nick Jonas, a renowned pop star who used to be part of the Jonas Brothers band.

Clad in an eye-catching black and white polka dot dress by Balmain and boasting a £15million emerald necklace by Bulgari, the 42-year-old woman sparkled on Jonas’s arm at the Gala – eight years after they first made their relationship public at the same event.

But this year, their arrival prompted chatter for an entirely different reason.

A short distance from Priyanka lay the same blue carpet, where her previous Bollywood collaborator, Shah Rukh Khan, aged 59, was positioned. Although not as recognized in the UK, he is highly esteemed in India as ‘King Khan.’ Notably, his wealth surpasses that of many Hollywood stars – by 2023, he ranked second among the world’s richest actors, boasting an estimated fortune of approximately £650 million.

Apart from the realm of cricket, it’s likely that he and Priyanka are among the Indian-born individuals who generate the most global conversation, a significant part of which can be attributed to past speculation about their relationship.

Back in 2006 and again in 2011, I had the privilege of sharing the screen with a legendary actor in the gripping Don crime thriller franchise – The Chase Begins Again and its sequel, Don 2. Our on-screen chemistry was so palpable that whispers began to circulate about our bond being something more than just professional. Yet, amidst all the speculation, he remained a married man, and despite an age gap of 17 years, his dedication to his craft and his wife never wavered.

Despite both parties repeatedly stating they had no romantic involvement, Priyanka ultimately chose to relocate to Los Angeles following rumors of being excluded from future Bollywood projects due to the controversy surrounding their relationship.

From what I’ve heard, their appearances at the Met Gala, where it was Khan’s debut, as well as their simultaneous arrivals, were apparently just a happy coincidence.

Indeed, online detectives have noted that the attire they donned seems remarkably similar to what they wore at a promotional event in Delhi approximately 18 years back.

Back in 2007, I had the privilege of attending an event for Tag Heuer watches alongside the stars from the Don film series, which was a £52million franchise. On this special occasion, Priyanka donned a beautiful polka dot gown that swept the floor, while Khan graced us in a long black jacket and trousers – much like their elegant attire at the Gala event.

In the past, it’s unclear if they were romantically involved, but it’s been passed on that their strong bond during the making of the Don films sparked quite a bit of gossip among people.

People who work alongside them mention that they frequently spent extended periods away from the filming location, usually at extravagant social events.

It’s clear that Priyanka and Shah Rukh developed a strong connection while filming Don, and they were frequently spotted attending numerous social events together.

They’d dine out together. It was clearly evident that their bond had deepened into a strong friendship, as they relished each other’s presence.

Their shared experiences of a middle-class lifestyle with occasional instability might have brought them closer: Priyanka’s parents were doctors in the Indian army and moved frequently around the globe, even spending time living in the United States – whereas Khan grew up under the care of his grandparents after losing both his parents at a young age.

Interestingly enough, it was back in the year 2000 that Priyanka and Khan crossed paths for the first time. This happened when Priyanka was crowned Miss India, and Khan served as one of the judges at the beauty pageant.

At the occasion, Khan can be spotted asking Priyanka a query live on stage: ‘Suppose you had to choose one from these options, whom would you pick for marriage hypothetically?’

‘A sports enthusiast from India, a creative entrepreneur or perhaps a renowned Bollywood actor such as myself, who finds it more engaging to pose intricate multiple-choice dilemmas about a fictitious ceremony rather than idle away the time.’

Priyanka didn’t take the bait, however, replying: ‘I think I would go to a great Indian sportsman.’

For almost a decade, Khan had been happily married. He encountered his wife Gauri, a successful Indian film producer now in her mid-fifties, during their school days. Together with their joint production company, they are proud parents of three children, aged 27, 25, and 12.

In 2006, Gauri felt irritated when photographs emerged of her husband, on various occasions, dining out with Priyanka – a beauty queen herself. It’s worth noting that at this point, the two actors had already completed their filming together. On one instance, Priyanka was spotted wearing his coat.

When filming for the 2011 sequel resumed, the escalating gossips seemed to become unmanageable for Gauri.

Reports allege that, being a major figure in Bollywood film production, she played a part in ‘excluding’ Priyanka from the industry amidst the controversy.

‘The Shah Rukh’s wife who is a big movie producer in Bollywood, took a stand,’ an insider said.

‘She basically got the film fraternity to slowly push her away.’

As a result, Priyanka finds herself with fewer film opportunities and less appealing script options. Nowadays, she’s not as active in the movie industry.

It appears that either due to Gauri’s impact or some other factor, her cool reception within the industry seemed effective, leading to her departure in 2012. Subsequently, she pursued opportunities in the United States.

Gauri was now free from unfounded speculations about her marriage being in danger, and the birth of her third child, delivered through a surrogate, served to strengthen her relationship even more.

Interestingly, a 2005 interview featuring Gauri resurfaced recently, where she disclosed her plans should Khan ever be unfaithful.

In an episode of the Indian talk show “Koffee with Karan,” she expressed a prayer: ‘May God grant us a connection if we’re meant for each other, but if not, may I too find someone else – and let him be good-looking.’

In my expertise, I’d rephrase that as follows: Rather than seeking a striking new companion, the exiled Priyanka found solace and opportunity in Los Angeles’ Hollywood Hills, where she began her thriving American career.

In a 2023 installment of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, she explained that the decision to leave was driven by Bollywood power struggles, dwindling roles in India, and a desire for a new beginning in another location.

‘I was being pushed into a corner in the industry,’ she said on the podcast.

I’ve encountered conflicts with some individuals, and honestly, I’m not skilled at navigating social dynamics. To be frank, I grew weary of the power struggles.

Reflecting on my impending milestone of turning thirty, I found myself grappling with a sense of unease, mirrored by my mom’s concern. She articulated her thoughts thusly: “The reality is, the industry values youth – 20-somethings to be precise. By the time you hit 30, you may find it challenging to secure projects or collaborations. It’s crucial to start considering alternative sources of income if you wish to maintain your financial stability.

‘I was having trouble back home being cast in the movies I wanted to be cast in.’

Without a doubt, it was incredibly effective. Since then, she’s appeared in hit movies like Baywatch and Love Again, and landed the main role of FBI trainee Alex Parrish in the espionage drama Quantico, which lasted for three seasons.

Apart from her past singing career in India, she subsequently re-entered the world of music. Notably, in 2013, she collaborated with popular American artists Will.I.Am and Pitbull on new music releases.

Additionally, Hollywood was the venue where she met her spouse, Nick Jonas, aged 32, who forms part of the trio known as The Jonas Brothers.

In 2017, they crossed paths at Vanity Fair’s Oscars event. A year later, they tied the knot, and in 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie, through a surrogate.

The new arrival has seemingly not affected her career as new projects beckon.

In the upcoming weeks, a fresh installment of Citadel will debut, featuring Priyanka Chopra returning as agent Nadia Sinh alongside Richard Madden from Game of Thrones. Additionally, her film Heads Of State on Amazon Prime, co-starring Idris Elba, is set to premiere this summer.

Perhaps, in the end, the Khans did her a favour.

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2025-05-11 14:04

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