Actress Priyanka Chopra, who was in town this weekend for the launch of Sol Kerzner's Atlantis The Palm resort, is one of Bollywood't top names. She tells Emirates Business, what her rise to the top has taught her about making money.
When and what was the first amount of money you earned?
As a student in the US in 1996, I worked at McDonald's for a month and earned $4 (Dh14.68) an hour. It was exciting to make my own money!
How did your spend your first paycheck?
I shopped my heart out! In India, when I began modelling I received Rs1,000 (Dh60) for my first assignment and gave that to my parents.
What is your money philosophy?
I want to make sure I have enough money to live life comfortably and ensure I can give a certain standard of living to my family.
What do you usually invest in; have you started putting away some money for your retirement?
I always believe in investing in property. It may be an old-fashioned view but I sincerely believe properties are a safe and great investment to have.
So have you looked at the UAE property market?
Not yet, but I have been looking at something in Dubai.
What's the most expensive thing you've ever bought yourself?
My new house in Mumbai. I renovated it and had the interiors totally redone. It cost me a bomb and I will know the final cost of the house once I complete the necessary finishing touches.
What is your biggest expenditure every month?
It has to be the petrol for my car.
Do you use cash or a credit card?
I never have cash and am always borrowing from my driver. I work out everything through my credit card.
How will the current credit crisis impact you?
Being a film actor, I think I am in the safest profession right now. I think the entertainment industry will not be impacted much by the current crisis.
Finally, if you have to scale down your expenses, what's the first thing you would do?
Actually I don't spend a lot of money as I don't have the time to do it. Moreover I am not a big shopper myself.
CV
PRIYANKA CHOPRA
Day job: Actress
Age: 26
Big break: Being crowned Miss World in the year 2000, the fifth Indian woman to do so. She capitalised on that win to launch a film career, kicking off with a Tamil film in 2002, but it was her first Bollywood hit, Andaaz (2003), that made her a household name.
Career so far: She has acted in 30 films and was in Dubai last month for the premiere of Fashion, which was organised by Star Middle East.