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‘When life gives you lemons, make grape juice. Then sit back and let them wonder how you did it.’

The queen of all crowns when launched her book of a memoir, it drove the entire world into a state of frenzy. Ever since this Bareilly girl has stepped foot into the spotlight she has been nothing but a force, endeavoring to achieve the impossible.

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“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive,but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it.”

- Bruce Lee

The Author’s Perspective

Unfinished chronicles the life of the Indian actress and global star Priyanka Chopra. Written with a blend of personal and professional aspects of her life, this book zeroes in to emanate her story of determination and hard work to those who have dreams and to those who have the courage to achieve them.

The inception of the story is from where her brother suggests their mother to enroll her for the beauty pageant considering her tall height, age and charmingness. Simulacrum of the genesis of her life of fame.

Coming from a big-fat Punjabi family she emphatically admires its role to shape and nurture her life. Making her deeply-ingrained in her roots and traditions.

On the work front, she has given some substantial records of her Miss. world journey, the surgery fiasco, the movie business;bringing into light the male dominated industry, her unpromising music career and the Hollywood establishment.

The love of her life, her husband, Nick Jonas occupies an interesting section of the book along with the fairy-tale wedding they had.

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“I am no bird;and no net ensnares me’ I am a free human being, with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.”

-Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre

Personal Verdict

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‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’

-William Shakespeare

Now being a Priyanka Chopra admirer there is little to no doubt that I would read this book. And when I did, I felt a series of mixed emotions.

The Tinseltown queen who carries her confident,unfazed and jannock personality with panache also has a side which is nervous, vulnerable and fragile at times. And it’s actually assuring, that a personality as invincible as her is like any other. Although she does know how to “fake it till you make it.”

Her life as an actor was what I and every fan of her's was curious to read about, majorly craving to know about the struggles she faced while working her way towards success.

Being a person with no connections in the industry and making it this big, at the time when nepotism and patriarchy were entrenched in the business, is awe-inspiring.

Unfortunately, apart from her nose surgery every other incident was either very short; makes you crave more,or quite concocted. It’s bizarre that you find her constantly reiterating words like challenges, problems and hurdles but giving us only a small piece of evidence in the name of them.

In fact, when you rummage through the net you’ll rather find more controversies and issues than she has disclosed.

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My Takeaways from the Book/ Skipped Sections of the Book

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“The only thing you need to wear well is your confidence.”

-Priyanka Chopra

Inspirational Elements

The personality of her mother Dr. Madhu Chopra and her role in Priyanka’s life is glorious and impactful. She came across as independent and career-driven.

Even though the book couldn’t do justice to her twenty-year old turbulent career, there is so much to learn from her. She has been an achiever, despite the challenges her passion for work and zeal to keep moving is inspiring. Her work with UNICEF and social drives in India represents her awareness towards society.

Heartening elements

Priyanka’s relationship with her father was a treat to read. The man himself, as she says, the life of a party. Their bond wasn't only friendly but also mature. He treated her like her own person.His departure from PC’s life was unnerving and agonising but strengthening too.

The influence of her husband (Nick Jonas) in her life has been brought about emphatically. He came as an anchor when she was drowning,the man who shattered all her walls and gently stepped in without invading her space but making his own for life. There are excerpts of their delightful love story,but yet again there wasn’t a lot of new stuff. Still,I enjoyed reading about them and their wedding.

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Unbearable and Cliche Elements

Well for starters the book delves into her family history so much so that, after a point you’re bound to skip that part.Her period of education in the States was riveting but all the ancestral history and geographical stuff wasn’t really required. Her in-depth Miss. World preparation could’ve been given more importance, which young girls could benefit from.

Cliche elements

Imagine you have under-gone an intense preparation for 12th boards,science to top it all. And out of nowhere you land into a beauty contest for Miss. India, somehow for which you had photographs too;maybe because you went for getting your passport photos clicked but you ended up getting model-photos clicked. No, serious repudiation from any family member either for suddenly packing and leaving.And yet you say that you never aspired to be a model/actress.

I also found her constant blabbing about how she didn’t think she would qualify the pageant’s round and with each round she was ready to go home, extremely ostentatious. For not only she was selected all those times against all the experienced contestants as opposed to her total inexperience, but was also crowned the Miss World. I mean it’s fantastic that your confidence and determination made you win,but you also need to reveal something about the experience and your struggle for the youth to learn from. Her question round preparation unequivocally was upto the mark but there was lack of honesty in other aspects.

The Bottom Line

Despite the enthralling odyssey it’s expected to be, it turns out to be prosaic in most areas. When a massive star like her claims to share her battles of success.

Her aspiring fans expect the truth and not only a promulgation of her own self. This could've been the way to guide the nascent generation entering the industry rather than playing safe and making it look like a Cinderella story.

Nonetheless, the book even though not riveting enough could be a read for those who dare to dream. You might not relate with everything, but there are definitely some teachings to quickly grab.

For more information: Unfinished by Dr. Appu Sasidharan

My ratings for the book- 2.5 on 5

Get your own copy from Amazon

Written By - Shivani Singh

Edited By - Sakshi Singh