Global actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas marked India’s Independence Day with a brief but emotional message, expressing pride in the country’s journey and optimism about its future.

Taking to social media, Priyanka shared a photograph of the Indian Tricolour fluttering against a mountainous landscape and wrote, “Proud of where we’ve come from. Hopeful about where we’re headed.” She also added the Indian flag emoji and the hashtag #HappyIndependenceDay.

Priyanka’s connection with India runs deep, having grown up in a military family. Her parents, Dr Ashok Chopra and Dr Madhu Chopra, served as physicians in the Indian Army, and the family moved frequently across the country because of her father’s service.

Her father, Lt Col Ashok Chopra, served as a surgeon in the Army Medical Corps, while her mother also served as an Army doctor before later pursuing medical practice and business ventures. Priyanka spent parts of her childhood in Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala, Ladakh, Lucknow, Bareilly and Pune.

Her own career later took her from India to the global entertainment industry. Priyanka was crowned Miss World in 2000 before establishing herself as a leading actor in Bollywood and subsequently making a successful transition to international projects.

Despite building a career overseas, she has continued to speak about her connection with Indian culture, traditions and identity.

Priyanka has also been introducing her daughter, Malti Marie, to Indian traditions, festivals, spirituality, language and culture. She has spoken about wanting her daughter, who is growing up in the US, to understand and embrace her Indian heritage.

During a recent visit to Mumbai, Priyanka was also seen at the Siddhivinayak Temple with Malti. She has additionally shared moments of teaching her daughter Indian shlokas.

On the professional front, Priyanka will next be seen in filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming epic ‘Varanasi’, which also stars Mahesh Babu.