In a candid conversation with Filmymantra Media, Miss World 1999 Yukta Mookhey reflected on the early days of Priyanka Chopra鈥檚 pageant journey, revealing that the future global icon once turned to her for guidance.
鈥淪he was the one taking advice from me,鈥 Yukta stated, referring to Priyanka, who won the Miss World crown in 2000 鈥 just a year after Yukta brought the title home. 鈥淪he was in the following year after me. I personally feel that there were things I guided her for, and her parents were sort of wanting to talk to my parents.鈥
When asked to name a quality she admires in Priyanka, Yukta offered a surprising reply: 鈥淣othing. Because she is junior to me.鈥
Yukta also spoke about the nature of mentorship and how some individuals treat newcomers. Drawing a contrast, she recalled a warm gesture from Juhi Chawla: 鈥淪he spoke to me very kindly. She said you are so beautiful and so tall, you carry yourself so well, think about going international鈥 Those are the kind of people who don鈥檛 look at you as competition or a threat.鈥
She continued, 鈥淛ust winning the title of Miss India or Miss World doesn鈥檛 make everything happen. It requires greatness to guide someone selflessly.鈥
Though both won the coveted Miss World title, their professional paths diverged significantly. Yukta鈥檚 foray into acting included appearances in films like Pyaasa, Katputtli, and Memsahab, but she struggled to cement a foothold in the film industry.
Priyanka, meanwhile, rose swiftly in Bollywood with acclaimed performances in Fashion, Barfi!, Don, and Bajirao Mastani, before expanding her career globally. Today, she wears many hats 鈥 actor, producer, and entrepreneur 鈥 with successful ventures in both Hollywood and the business world.
She will next be seen in Heads of State, an action-comedy alongside John Cena and Idris Elba, where she plays MI6 agent Noel Bisset. The film is set to release on Prime Video on July 2.