Bigg Boss 17 contestant Mannara Chopra answers if cousin Priyanka Chopra’s popularity affected her career: ‘From business context…’

Calling herself a ‘traveler’, the actor said that she enjoys taking impromptu tours and enjoys the ‘unpredictability’ of life. This is the reason she hasn’t prepped much about the show and has ‘no set plans’. “As and when I know people, and make myself comfortable, I would be able to play the game accordingly. As of now, I am entering the house with an open mind as I want to welcome all probability.”

Having traveled the world, Mannara Chopra shared that she’s comfortable meeting strangers and starting conversations with them. She also said that given her trade, she meets different kinds of people from all age groups and she would use that experience in the show. However, she has never ‘lived’ with unknown people or stayed in hostels and dormitories but considers that Bigg Boss 17 would help her revisit her teenage days and she could learn from the experience.

Mannara Chopra, as readers would know, is the cousin of Priyanka Chopra and Parineeti Chopra. While her real name is Barbie Handa, she decided to enter the film industry using her mother’s maiden name. When asked why she has dropped the Chopra surname on social media, Mannara said, “I have always used ‘meMannara’ as my username on all my social media platforms ever since my first film released. It’s nothing new nor an understatement.”

We also discussed how even after an impressive debut the actor’s career did not fly off in Hindi films. When asked if it was the comparisons with Priyanka or Parineeti that led to her not being offered good roles, she replied, “I have done quite a many films which are on big OTT platforms. Also, for me content is very important and I am kind of choosy. I look for my comfort level. Also, when I was offered films in Hyderabad with the biggest of names, I said why not? Today, films are no longer categorised to just Bollywood. I know a lot of people in Mumbai who are moving to the south. So I don’t know in what context you are looking but from my business context, I am doing fine.”

She added that unlike popular beliefs, she is not on Bigg Boss to revive her career as it’s doing ‘pretty well’. Sharing that she launched herself as a career earlier this year, Mannara said that she also has a Telugu film and also finished shooting a Hindi web show. “I am not doing this to prove myself or something to anyone. It was an exciting opportunity and in a time of social media and reality show, I felt it was the right choice.”

Mannara Chopra said she hasn’t told anyone in the family, including her cousins about her doing the show. She also did not want to open up about the recent controversy when her Thiragabadara Saami director allegedly kissed her forcibly. The actor stated that she has already clarified about it.

On a final note, Mannara said she is excited to interact with Salman Khan on a weekly basis as he always has important lessons to impart. Recalling her first meeting with him, the actor said that she shot an ad film with him as a young teenager and hopes the superstar remembers her. “That is a sweet little memory I have with him. Bigg Boss is the kind of show because of the fandom he brings and I am blessed to be a part of the show with him,” she concluded.