Priyanka Chopra: US award show organisers sing a different tune

On September 10, DNA reported how Priyanka Chopra has bagged an award for being a singer even before turning into one. But now the organisers in the US have issued a statement stating that the award being given to her is in recognition for “pushing herself into new directions”. Their statement read, “She has won the award for being a trailblazer. Meaning that she is an accomplished Bollywood superstar who doesn’t shy away from taking on risks and trying something new in her career.”

The organisers clarified their stand, claiming that though turning a singer is a major element in getting her the award, Priyanka’s efforts to push herself into new directions was the clincher. The award is being given by New York City’s South Asians in Media, Marketing and Entertainment Association (SAMMA), North America Conference on September 16 and 17 this year.

“We certainly have ‘Achievement’ awards but a trailblazer to us is even more important to recognise. If she succeeds, more power to her, if it fails, well try again. Truthfully, from our point of view, without even releasing her album, there is a success to be recognised —which comes in trying.   For us, we want to inspire others to keep pushing boundaries,” says Rajan Shah, co-founder, and board member of the organising committee in an e-mail.

Rajan Shah further adds, “The reality is that in one simple move of putting her name on the line for a shot at the music industry, she has opened the door for hundreds of other artists from India to do the same. The US music industry is now looking at India, thanks to Priyanka. That is to be rewarded. Should her music career not succeed the first time, at least she knows that she has succeeded in paving a path for others. That is not something to diminish, but celebrate.”