Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who rose from a teenage pageant winner to an international star, is now being recognised for her efforts beyond cinema. Featured in the prestigious National Geographic 33 list, she
is among global changemakers addressing critical issues. The actress, known for breaking barriers as the first South Asian lead in an American network drama with Quantico, credits her early exposure to healthcare through her doctor parents for shaping her worldview.
While assisting her mother and father in a rural village, Priyanka noticed the stark inequalities in healthcare access. “It helped me recognise that where you’re born really changes the trajectory of your life,” Priyanka said.
Tackling India’s Diabetes Crisis
India is currently facing a massive diabetes burden, with over 100 million people affected. Alarmingly, nearly half remain undiagnosed due to stigma and lack of awareness.
Chopra has been actively working to change that narrative. Her focus is on improving awareness, especially around Type 1 diabetes, and encouraging early diagnosis. The Citadel star is determined to not only educate the South Asian community about diabetes but “shift the stigma around the disease for all diabetics in the country.”
Nick Jonas Suffering From Type 1 Diabetes
Her involvement deepened after dating musician Nick Jonas, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 13. When the couple got married, she witnessed firsthand how Nick manages his Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
“I used to wake up in the middle of the night sometimes, just to see if he was breathing,” Chopra Jonas told National Geographic. The experience reshaped her understanding of the condition and reinforced the importance of early detection and proper care.
Awareness Through Beyond Type 1
As a board member of Beyond Type 1, a nonprofit co-founded by her husband Nick Jonas, Priyanka has helped spearhead campaigns in India aimed at educating communities about diabetes.
Backed by significant funding of $500,000, the initiative has already trained nearly 200 ambassadors in India and expanded its outreach to global platforms, including the United Nations.
Breaking Stigma Around Diagnosis
A key part of her mission is dismantling fear and misinformation surrounding diabetes. She continues to advocate that the condition, when diagnosed early and managed correctly, does not limit a person’s life.
“Don’t be afraid of the diagnosis. You can handle and live with this condition and actually thrive with it,” Chopa Jonas told the magazine.
What’s Next For Priyanka Chopra?
On the professional front, Priyanka Chopra Jonas shows no signs of slowing down. She is set to return as Nadia in Season 2 of Citadel. The spy thriller, made under the direction of the Russo Brothers, began shooting in late November 2024, but the release date has yet to be announced.
She is also preparing for a grand comeback to the Indian film industry with Varanasi, directed by SS Rajamouli. The ambitious action-adventure project will see her starring alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Spanning timelines from 2000 BC to 2027, the film promises a globe-trotting narrative inspired by Indiana Jones and African adventure classics. The upcoming project follows a rugged explorer on a high-stakes mission through battling nature, mystery, uncharted terrain, and a powerful enemy to uncover a long-lost secret that could change the world. Slated for a theatrical release in April 2027, Varanasi promises to redefine Indian cinema on a global scale.
