Actress Priyanka Chopra, who courted a controversy for featuring in Quantico that portrayed Indian nationalists as terrorists who were trying to frame Pakistan in a terror plot, has apologised after facing the flak from Indian viewers.
In the episode, Priyanka, who plays Alex Parrish, is an anti-terrorist officer who plots a nuclear attack in Manhattan to frame Pakistan, just days before an India-Pakistan summit is to be held. The episode drew intense criticism from Indian fans.
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Priyanka took to Twitter on Sunday and wrote, “I’m extremely saddened and sorry that some sentiments have been hurt by a recent episode of ‘Quantico’. That was not and would never be my intention. I sincerely apologise. I’m a proud Indian and that will never change.”
I’m extremely saddened and sorry that some sentiments have been hurt by a recent episode of Quantico. That was not and would never be my intention. I sincerely apologise. I’m a proud Indian and that will never change.
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) June 9, 2018
Even after apologising, Priyanka had to deal with the relentless netizens; here is how they reacted.
This is a ridiculous tweet. You’re not even apologizing. You make it sound like Indians are hurt, which is not the issue. The issue is you have denigrated peaceful Indians, especially Indian-American Hindus, who have NEVER had 1 single terror case. You lied.
— Hindu Americans (@HinduAmericans) June 9, 2018
Quit lying and acting so innocent, saying it wasn’t “my intention.”
You read the script before. You knew what it was about.
It was clearly a big lie and a big lie that denigrated and humiliated peaceful Indians, Hindus, especially Indian-American Hindus. This was a hate crime!— Hindu Americans (@HinduAmericans) June 9, 2018
It is Indian sentiment.
And stop supporting what is wrong.
No apology cant bring it back.
She did not read the script before signing the contract??— Anirudha Tripathy (@873ae425d0434bf) June 9, 2018
— ॐ Kaushal दुबे ॐ (@kaushaldubey38) June 9, 2018
Never Forget Never Forgive. Enough of U people defaming the Nation on foreign soil and in media This apology is a dramebaaji Just give a proof where did hindus did act of terror in world. It was all deliberate attempt to defame India and Hindus. Enough of bollywood soldouts drama
— Voice_of_Mahadev🔱🇮🇳🇮🇳🕉 (@ashish200983) June 9, 2018
The same girl who won miss world title for India didn’t even feel bad when she was asked to be a part of anti Indian episode of #Quantico ? How is this possible ? Only money and fame can ruin people this badly 👎👎
— Sheetu 🌼 (@itssitu) June 10, 2018
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On Saturday, the producers at the US network ABC Studios that airs the show also extended an apology and said they did not intend to offend anyone.
The statement read: “ABC Studios and the executive producers of ‘Quantico’ would like to extend an apology to our audience who were offended by the most recent episode, ‘The Blood of Romeo’. The episode has stirred a lot of emotion, much of which is unfairly aimed at Priyanka Chopra, who didn’t create the show, nor does she write or direct it.
“She has no involvement in the casting of the show or the storylines depicted in the series.” They also stressed that “Quantico” is a work of fiction.
“The show has featured antagonists of many different ethnicities and backgrounds but in this case, we inadvertently and regrettably stepped into a complex political issue. It was certainly not our intention to offend anyone,” the statement read further.
According to reports, the episode titled “The Blood of Romeo”, was aired on June 1. Priyanka’s character, FBI agent Alex Parrish, thwarts a terror plot just days before a summit between India and Pakistan is to be held.
During her investigations, Parrish finds a religious Hindu symbol — a Rudraksha chain — on the neck of one of the suspects leading her to conclude that the plot was devised by Indian nationalists to frame Pakistan in a nuclear terror attack.
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Quantico will not be getting a fourth season. The third season is on air in India on Star World. The cast also included Jake McLaughlin, Johanna Braddy, Russell Tovey, Alan Powell, Marlee Matlin and Blair Underwood.