After an explosive interview between talk show icon Oprah Winfrey and British royal couple, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, that had the Royals and the world buzzing, it is now the turn of Bollywood transplant to Hollywood, Priyanka Chopra Jonas to raise eyebrows. In an intimate conversation with Oprah, the audience got a closer look into Chopraâs struggles during her initial days in Bollywood, her relationship with pop singer-husband Nick Jonas and her decision to launch her memoir, âUnfinished,â at such an early stage.
A recently released promo clip from the interview surfaced on the internet where she spoke about her understanding of different religions. The actress spoke about her secular upbringing in the interview and mentioned that she is aware of Islam as her late father Dr. Ashok Chopra used to sing in a mosque.
âThe White Tigerâ actress spoke about âthe swirling number of religions…that live within the country [India]â and said, âI grew up in a convent school. I was aware of Christianity. My dad used to sing in a mosque, I was aware of Islam. I grew up in a Hindu family, I was aware of that. Spirituality is such a large part of India that you really cannot ignore it.â
And netizens took notice and umbrage. They took offense on Twitter, asking how she could speak about being âaware of Islam,â because it appeared as if she learnt about an entire religion simply because her father sang at a mosque. Many asked which mosque, while several others mocked Priyankaâs statement and said they, unfortunately, remained unaware of Islam since their father never sang at a mosque.
Netizen Chayan Sarkar asked, âDear @priyankachopra How is singing in a mosque makes one aware of Islam? Do many years in India didnât let you know about Muslims around you? By this logic- my dad argues cases in court so I am aware of the law.
Amit Shirodkar, cheekily tweeted, âI saw the movie âJudaa.â I am aware of Judaism.âhttps://twitter.com/amit_shirodkar/status/1373630653435052040?s=20
While Lily kissan Khalid noted humorously, âMy dad used to decorate Christmas tree, I was aware of Christianity.â
In the same mocking vein, another netizen, Brandy Kaur, tweeted, âMy dad watched âthe mask of Zorro, I am aware of Zoroastrianism.â
Many Twitter users also pointed out that singing at mosques wasnât allowed and Chopra Jonas was further mocked for her unawareness. A social media user wrote, âMy dad also used to sing in a Mosque. Nothing else happened, people just thought he was very weird for doing that since Masjid mein antakshari nahi khelte.â
While another Twitter user wrote, âI think Priyanka Chopra is confused between dargah and a mosque. Someone tell Priyanka Chopra that mosques and dargahs are two very different things! No one sings in a mosque. We only pray there.â
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Another user, Anindita Reba Ghosh tweeted, â#PriyankaChopra says that her father used to sing in mosques. What did her father sing in the mosque, I wonder!â
However, supportive tweets and positive comments were also spotted, backing the trolls and spreading love for the actress. A user saw the bigger picture and acknowledged it â Chopra Jonasâs message for secularism.
A netizen pointed out, â#PriyankaChopra talked about her father having sung in #mosques rather than express dismay d actress knows very little abt prayer in mosques, #Muslims mst appreciate she sent a msg of harmony, and love among all communities.â
Perhaps, Oprah never fails to deliver â controversial interviews, that is!