Mannara Chopra has been making headlines lately as a contestant on Bigg Boss 17. With her rising fame, many are wondering about her connection to the famous Chopra family. Specifically, is Mannara Chopra related to Priyanka Chopra? Let’s take a deep dive into the family ties between these two Bollywood stars.
Who is Mannara Chopra?
To understand Mannara’s link to Priyanka, we first need to learn about her background. Mannara Chopra is an Indian actress and model born in 1991 in Ambala, Haryana. Her birth name is actually Barbie Handa. She is the daughter of a jewellery designer mother and lawyer father.
Mannara has one younger sister named Mitali who works as a fashion stylist. She completed her education in Delhi before moving to Mumbai to begin her entertainment career.
The Start of Mannara’s Acting Career
Mannara started out in modeling and advertising. She appeared in over 40 commercials including some alongside her famous cousin Priyanka. Her first lead acting role came in the 2014 Telugu film Prema Geema Jantha Nai.
That same year she made her Bollywood debut in the film Zid co-starring Karanvir Sharma. Since then, Mannara has worked in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi language films. Some of her noteworthy roles include Thikka, Jakkanna, and Rogue.
Is Mannara Chopra Related to Priyanka Chopra?
Now that we know Mannara’s background, how exactly is she related to the global icon Priyanka Chopra? Priyanka Chopra Jonas is one of the most popular Indian actors in the world. She was born in 1982 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand to physician parents.
Chopra won the Miss World pageant in 2000 which catapulted her fame. She made her Bollywood debut in the 2002 film The Hero and went on to star in many hit films like Fashion, Barfi!, Agneepath and Bajirao Mastani.
Internationally, she stars on the TV show Quantico and has appeared in Hollywood films like Baywatch and The Matrix Resurrections. She is married to American singer Nick Jonas.
Mannara Chopra Family Tree
To understand the connection, we have to go back a generation in the Chopra family tree. Priyanka, Mannara, and Parineeti’s fathers are brothers.
Priyanka’s dad is the late Dr. Ashok Chopra while Mannara and Parineeti’s fathers are Vikas Chopra and Manish Chopra respectively. They are siblings, making the girls first cousins.
Parineeti Chopra is also an acclaimed Bollywood actress known for films like Ishaqzaade, Shuddh Desi Romance, and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. Clearly, talent runs in the Chopra family genes!
Growing Up Together – Manara, Priyanka and Parineeti Chopra
Since their fathers are brothers, Priyanka, Mannara and Parineeti grew up together as kids. Being the oldest, Priyanka would have been a mentor and role model to her younger cousins.
In interviews, Mannara has fondly spoken about spending time with Didi (as she calls Priyanka). They are very close and Priyanka has guided Mannara as she entered the film industry.
Collaboration Between the Chopra Cousins
In recent years, we’ve seen the Chopra cousins collaborate in interesting ways. As mentioned earlier, Mannara appeared alongside Priyanka in several ad campaigns in her early modeling days. This includes a Dabur Amla hair oil ad.
Parineeti and Priyanka have also endorsement deals together such as a Pantene shampoo commercial. They co-starred in the fun song “Kudiye Di Kurti” in the 2017 film Meri Pyaari Bindu. The trio was also photographed together at Mannara’s wedding functions earlier this year.
Mannara Following in Priyanka’s Footsteps
As Priyanka Chopra gained international fame, she paved the way for other Indian actors to make it abroad. This was not lost on cousin Mannara who said in an interview “I’m really proud of what Priyanka has achieved…I wish I can follow in her footsteps.”
From endorsing global brands to appearing in American films and TV shows, Priyanka has shown Indian actors can make it anywhere. Mannara aspires to reach that level of success and bridge the gap between Bollywood and Hollywood.
Uniqueness of Mannara Chopra’s Acting Career
However, Mannara Chopra has also carved out a unique path for herself. While Priyanka focuses on Bollywood and Hollywood, Mannara has established herself in regional Indian cinema.
She has worked extensively in the Tamil, Telugu and Kannada film industries. Films like Jakkanna, Thikka and Rogue showcased her versatility as an actor. This ability to work across different language industries is Mannara’s advantage.
Manara Chopra’s Foray into TV with Bigg Boss 17
In 2022, Mannara Chopra entered a new phase in her career by joining the reality show Bigg Boss Season 17. Hosted by Salman Khan, Bigg Boss is one of the most popular shows on Indian television.
As a contestant, Mannara will be under public scrutiny 24/7. This is a very different experience from acting in films with breaks in between. It will be interesting to see how Mannara’s TV journey unfolds.
Priyanka Cheering on Mannara’s Success
While their individual careers have flourished, the cousins continue to be very supportive of each other. Recently, Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared an Instagram story cheering Mannara on as she joined Bigg Boss 17.
She wrote “So proud of you Mimi! Cannot wait to see you on #BiggBoss! Love you loads”. Mimi is Priyanka’s nickname for Mannara. This shows Priyanka is excited about her cousin’s new endeavour on TV.
The Unbreakable Bond between Mannara and Priyanka Chopra
At the end of the day, despite the fame, the Chopra cousins remain very close. Priyanka, Parineeti and Mannara are there for each other during ups and downs.
In a joint interview, Parineeti said “We might not meet every day, but we are in touch… if there is a problem, we will drive to each other’s homes no matter how far.” That’s the beauty of their bond.
The Chopras: A Talented Family of Manara Chopra
The Chopra sisters – Priyanka, Mannara and Parineeti – put the meaning of family into focus. Coming from a close-knit Punjabi family, their bond is strong.
Though each cousin has achieved success in her own right, they support and cheer each other on. Their talents and popularity extend the Chopra legacy in the Indian entertainment industry.
To summarize, Mannara Chopra is first cousins with Priyanka Chopra Jonas as their fathers are brothers. Though they pursued individual careers, the Chopra cousins remain closely connected personally and professionally. Mannara may not be a household name yet like Priyanka, but she is certainly one to watch out for!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How are Mannara Chopra and Priyanka Chopra related?
Mannara Chopra and Priyanka Chopra are first cousins. Their fathers are brothers – Priyanka’s father is the late Dr. Ashok Chopra while Mannara’s father is Vikas Chopra.
2. Who is older between Priyanka and Mannara Chopra?
Priyanka Chopra is older. She was born in 1982 while Mannara Chopra was born in 1991. Priyanka is 9 years older than Mannara.
3. Do Priyanka, Mannara and Parineeti Chopra have any other siblings?
Priyanka Chopra has one younger brother named Siddharth. Mannara has a younger sister named Mitali. Parineeti Chopra is the youngest and only child of her parents.
4. Why is Mannara joining Bigg Boss 17 a significant career move?
Bigg Boss 17 will mark Mannara Chopra’s television debut. It will help her reach a wider audience. The reality show experience is also very different from acting in films, allowing Mannara to showcase a new side of herself.
