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Priyanka’s Been in Montreal for a Month and No One’s Even Noticed!

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.

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“Can you turn up the music just a little bit more?” the raspy-voiced actress asks aloud. She is surrounded by a dozen or so crew members who are all busy fussing over the set, the lighting and of course, the Indian beauty herself.

On Saint-Jacques street, Priyanka Chopra works inside one of the many historic buildings of Old Montreal. Sporting beige khakis and a blue t-shirt, her petite frame is only magnified by the sneakers and the girlish ponytail she wears. Then, only minutes later, she re-enters the atrium. Only this time the star is all polished up in classic black dress pants and a maroon blazer; her silky dark hair left half untied.

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.
Priyanka Chopra outside her trailer at downtown Montreal. (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@PriyankaChopra)

The former Miss World soaks in the busy scene around her before jamming to a Rihanna tune with her hands up in the air. From coy to suddenly confident, Chopra knows exactly how to pose for the camera.

“Beautiful! I can do this all day!” shouts the LA-based photographer.

Indeed, Chopra is a stunner. But other than the obvious, much of her Quebec-based crew do not have the slightest clue as to who she is.

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.
Priyanka Chopra on the sets of Quantico with co-stars. (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@PriyankaChopra)

“I really don’t know much about India. What does she do there? I have no idea,” says Dominique, one of the lighting assistants.

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While Indian Tabloids go Gaga, Locals Don’t Know Priyanka Chopra

Chopra has over 40 Indian films to her name (Fashion, Barfi... Hello?), has released two international singles, became the first ever Indian to model for Guess Jeans and then some. Despite such accomplishments, for Dominique, it was just another day on the job.

Since late-July, Chopra has been in Montreal to shoot for the upcoming ABC series, Quantico. In the series, she will play the lead role of Alex Parrish, an FBI recruit who gets caught in a web of suspicion and suspense.

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.
Priyanka’s clearly been living it up with her Quantico cast and crew. (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@PriyankaChopra)

While some of the scenes have been shot in NYC, the bulk of the show is being filmed in La Belle province.

Local fans would easily be able to determine Chopra’s whereabouts based on the photos she’s been posting on social media. La Grande Bibliotheque, the Notre-Dame Basilica, Sherbrooke University, and Lafontaine Park are just a few such spots.

Still, Chopra has managed to keep a low profile in the city. A day prior, she and her co-stars had filmed scenes inside Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.
Priyanka and her co-star Johanna Braddy pose for a selfie. (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@PriyankaChopra)

“There was a large film crew that passed by here to shoot downstairs at the pool,” says one employee. “But I had no idea there were any celebrities among them!”

While Chopra is unknown to many Canadians, so too are her co-stars, who have mainly worked in indie films and TV shows. 

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The Perks of Anonymity – a Stellar Show?

The actors all managed to hit up Pullman Wine Bar, located in downtown Montreal, without the paparazzi waiting for them outside – something Chopra would not be able to pull off in India. Indian media have been trying to keep track of her every move even while she is in Canada.

Remaining incognito could help the star stay focused on her rigorous work schedule. At the stadium, Chopra and her team stayed on set from 1 pm until the early hours of the next morning.

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.
Indian audiences cannot wait to catch a glimpse of Priyanka – in full FBI gear – on her American TV debut this fall. (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@PriyankaChopra)

“I actually haven’t seen anything in Montreal yet,” she says. “I just haven’t had any time.”

The hard work is paying off. Several episodes of the show are now completed and Quantico is all set to air September 27, exposing Chopra to millions of new viewers.

It is a launch many Indian-Americans, who make up a large part of the multicultural diaspora in the States, look forward to. Roles for visible minorities still remain scarce in television. This push for ABC to embrace the country’s multicultural mosaic on its shows is a big move. And for Chopra, it would mean another step forward in the US market while also helping to promote the need for diversity on-screen.

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.
From the looks of it, she’s kicking butt! (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@PriyankaChopra)

How Big an International Hit Will Quantico be?

Given the lukewarm reaction in Canada, however, the desi girl may not bring as much star power to prime time as producers may anticipate. Will she have what it takes to attract a new and devoted audience week after week?

Chopra steps out into the alleyway after another quick wardrobe change. In a deep-cut, tomato-red dress, 9-inch heels, and wildly wavy hair, a few jaws drop on set. The actress seductively cajoles the only prop in the shot – a grey-bricked wall. Passing cars come to a halt as people try to figure out just who exactly this mystery woman is.

Bollywood’s beloved hottie has been in Montreal for a month, yet not even her own crew know how big a star she is.
Priyanka Chopra and her ‘Powerpuff girls’, at least according to her Instagram post! (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@PriyankaChopra)

Like a true chameleon, Chopra’s ability to slip into any character, along with her hard work ethic and that je ne sais quoi, may be the right combination needed for her to take America’s breath away.

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(Bhavna Patel is a freelance writer based in Montreal, QC. Find her on Twitter @_BPatel.)

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Topics:  Priyanka Chopra   Quantico   Montreal 

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