Published By: Sayan Paul

Birthday Special: Priyanka Chopra's Rise As A Global Entrepreneur - Inside the Mind of a Business Star

She is not just breaking boundaries on screen, but also redefining success in the world of business.

Priyanka Chopra has been on magazine covers, red carpets, and screens across the world. And so, her journey to global fame is no secret. But what often gets overlooked is just how much more there is to her story. Beyond the spotlight, Priyanka wears many hats, one of them being that of a sharp, intuitive businesswoman. She is someone who doesn’t just lend her name to ventures; rather, she studies them, shapes them, and most importantly, knows exactly when to push and when to pause. And that business instinct is what’s helping her build something far bigger than stardom.

Born on July 18, 1982, Padma Shri Priyanka Chopra celebrates her 43rd birthday today. On this occasion, let's understand her business mind in this article. 

Producing with Purpose

Priyanka’s entrepreneurial journey began with storytelling at its core. In 2015, she co-founded Purple Pebble Pictures with her mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra, in Mumbai. The goal was to champion regional cinema and support emerging talent that gets overlooked by mainstream Bollywood. 

Purple Pebble’s breakout moment came with the 2016 Marathi hit 'Ventilator', featuring Rajesh Mapuskar. The film resonated with audiences, earned critical acclaim, and won three National Film Awards (mind you, it's her debut film). In 2019, the company followed it up with 'Paani', a Marathi film addressing water scarcity, which went on to win the National Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation. That same year, Priyanka both produced and starred in 'The Sky Is Pink,' a deeply moving biopic co-starring Farhan Akhtar. This film earned multiple Filmfare nominations and showcased Priyanka’s depth as both actor and producer.

Now, what sets her apart as a producer is her instinct to back meaningful stories, especially those rooted in social issues. Instead of just funding projects, she nurtures them, stays involved at every stage, and brings global visibility to regional cinema. 

Sona: Bringing Indian Flavors to the World

In March 2021, Priyanka added a new flavor to her entrepreneurial journey (well, literally). She launched Sona, an elegant Indian restaurant in New York City, alongside entrepreneur Maneesh Goyal. And Sona isn’t your typical curry house. From its "Indo-Deco" interiors to its modern take on Indian classics like Buckwheat Bhel, it’s a stylish homage to her heritage.

Even the name ‘Sona’ (which means gold in Hindi) has a personal touch, inspired by Nick Jonas’s fondness for India. With Chef Hari Nayak at the helm, the menu blends authenticity with creativity, drawing praise from both diners and critics. The space also doubles as a cultural showcase, featuring works by Indian artists and designers, turning dinner into an experience.

(Credit: PRIYANKA)

Building on Sona’s success, Priyanka expanded the brand in June 2022 with Sona Home, a homeware line that carries the same design philosophy into living spaces. With handcrafted pieces inspired by Rajasthan’s regal charm, Sona Home taps into the growing demand for culturally rich, luxury decor. It’s proof of how Priyanka turns personal passion into polished, profitable brands.

(Credit: hourly priyanka)

Anomaly Haircare: A Beauty Revolution

In February 2021, Priyanka made waves in the beauty world with the launch of Anomaly Haircare, a line built around clean, sustainable principles. Her objective behind this venture was to make premium, eco-conscious products accessible to everyone. Free of parabens, sulfates, and animal testing, and bottled in fully recycled plastic, Anomaly checks every modern beauty box.

What makes it stand out is its unbelievably affordable pricing. At just $5.99 in the US (Rs 750–1000 in India), it’s affordable without compromising quality. By 2022, the brand had already made a massive mark, raking in an estimated £429 million (around INR 4,300 crore), becoming the second-richest celebrity beauty brand in the world, according to Cosmetify.

(Credit: I KNOCK FASHION)

Anomaly blends global standards with Indian traditions, drawing from age-old rituals like scalp oiling, while appealing to diverse hair types and modern sensibilities. 

Beyond: Expanding the Empire

Priyanka's ventures don’t stop at food and home. In 2020, she joined Bon V!V, a sparkling water brand, as a creative advisor, even helping design a signature flavor (raspberry-dragon fruit). The brand aims to support women and reduce poverty, aligning with Priyanka’s long-time focus on social impact. Once again, she is not just the face, but she is also shaping the product and the mission.

Besides, she is an avid investor as well. And it all began in 2018 with a game-changing move, investing in Bumble, the women-first dating app. She also played a key role in launching the app in India, using her platform to promote safe, empowering digital spaces for women. That same year, she invested $8.2 million in Holberton School, a San Francisco-based coding school focused on women in tech.

In 2020, she joined the board of Apartment List, a rental marketplace valued at $600 million, alongside names like Lizzo and Alex Rodriguez. Then came an investment in Genies, a virtual avatar company, showing her foresight into digital identity trends. In 2022, she and Nick Jonas invested in Perfect Moment, a luxury skiwear brand, making it yet another smart alignment with her image and interests.

So, How Does the Mind of a Business Star Work? 

What truly makes Priyanka Chopra Jonas stand out as an entrepreneur is her ability to marry heart with strategy. She picks ventures that reflect who she is: deeply rooted in culture, yet bold, global, and future-ready. She is never chasing trends; rather, she is building brands that speak to where the world is heading. And each of her investments reflects her values, which include empowerment, innovation, and future-forward thinking.

Happy Birthday, Priyanka!