Actress Priyanka Chopra has apologized for a recent episode of the TV series Quantico, that created furor among Indians for showed Hindus hatching a terror plot in the United States.
“I’m extremely saddened and sorry that some sentiments have been hurt by a recent episode of Quantico. That was not and would never be my intention. I sincerely apologize. I’m a proud Indian and that will never change,” Chopra, 35, said in a post on Twitter on June 10.
I’m extremely saddened and sorry that some sentiments have been hurt by a recent episode of Quantico. That was not and would never be my intention. I sincerely apologise. I'm a proud Indian and that will never change.
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) June 9, 2018
Chopra’s apology came two days after the ABC Studios issued a statement, saying it had inadvertently stepped into a complex political issue.
The American producers apologized over the episode, saying that the Bollywood star was targeted “unfairly” over the content.
“ABC Studios and the executive producers of Quantico would like to extend an apology to our audience who were offended by the most recent episode, The Blood of Romeo,” a spokesperson of the studio said in a statement released on June 8, standing by the Indian actress who was facing the brunt of the social media backlash. “The episode has stirred a lot of emotion, much of which is unfairly aimed at Priyanka Chopra, who didn’t create the show, nor does she write or direct it.”
Several social media users continued to express their unhappiness with Chopra, even after she issued the apology.
This is a ridiculous tweet. You’re not even apologizing. You make it sound like Indians are hurt, which is not the issue. The issue is you have denigrated peaceful Indians, especially Indian-American Hindus, who have NEVER had 1 single terror case. You lied.
— Indian-Americans (@HinduAmericans) June 9, 2018
To hell with your apology @priyankachopra
It's too late, too little! #Quantico— Meera Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@meeraremi11) June 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/irahsinha/status/1006026122381877248
https://twitter.com/MowLung/status/1006035984910127104
The episode, which was aired on June 1, showed Chopra, who plays FBI agent Alex Parrish in the series, thwarting a plot by “Indian nationalists” who are planning to stage a nuclear attack in Manhattan and then frame Pakistan for the attack before an Indo-Pak summit is to be held.
Chopra, one of highest paid Indian actors, was slammed by many, including cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, on social media for featuring in the episode.
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/1004421636026585088
Meanwhile, Chopra’s fans came out in her support, saying her apology was not needed, as it is a work of fiction. Many said they are disappointed with her for apologizing for “creative freedom.”
Really disheartening to see that @priyankachopra has to say sorry for a fictional character & a representation of a fictional show. Wake me up when India stops being so sensitive. The woman is making your country proud… frigging stop getting offended by idiotic stuff! #Quantico
— Amrita Tanna (@Amr1ta) June 10, 2018
What happened to our tolerance levels? Our sentiments are hurt by a work of fiction and not the harsh realities in our country. An actor shouldn't need to apologize or get slammed for following a script! #Quantico #PriyankaChopra
— Ashima Goyal (@ashimagoyal) June 10, 2018
I would have earlier said that I'm disappointed with @priyankachopra for surrendering & apologizing for creative freedom.
But being an artist is a tough job when people don't understand creative freedom.
Such fragile egos!— Paramparā Patil Hashmi (@cinemawaali) June 10, 2018
Chopra has earlier starred in the 2017 film, Baywatch, based on the hit television series. She will next be seen in the upcoming films, A Kid Like Jake, starring Jim Parsons and Claire Danes, and Isn’t It Romantic opposite Rebel Wilson. Chopra made her debut on American screens as Alex Parrish in Quantico in 2015. The third season, which is on air currently, is said to be the last season of the show.