Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ daughter Malti calls herself an “Indian princess”: How the star is keeping India alive for the little one, thousands of miles away from home

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a global icon who began her career in Indian cinema, became one of Bollywood’s best-known faces, and later built a name in Hollywood too.She juggles her life between two huge industries with so much ease, even though her life stretches across continents. She is married to American singer Nick Jonas, and the couple welcomed their daughter in January 2022. She lives in the US, yet she keeps coming back to India for work, family and festivals.With her recent frequent visits for SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, and her appearances at The Great Indian Kapil Show, she gave a glimpse into her life of packed suitcases, time zones, and constant switching between two worlds.While most people would find that tiring enough, she effortlessly manages her parenting duties beautifully alongside her career, making her child feel at home in both places.Priyanka has often said she is “desi at heart”, and that feeling doesn’t switch off when she lands in Los Angeles. It travels with her, into the kitchen, the wardrobe and the way she talks to her daughter. Here is how PeeCee is inculcating Indian habits in her daughter Malti Marie.Photos: Priyanka Chopra/Instagram

Malti’s connection to India started early. Her first visit came in 2023, when Priyanka shared photos of the little one receiving blessings at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple. On The Great Indian Kapil Show, Priyanka said Malti has been to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Ayodhya, and that she has tried her best to keep her familiar with Indian culture and traditions. In March 2024, the family also offered prayers at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, where the couple performed puja, and Malti was also seen decked in traditional Indian clothing, keeping her close to the culture.

Clothes may be the sweetest bridge between two cultures. Priyanka told The Great Indian Kapil Show that whenever Malti wears a ghagra-choli, she calls herself an “Indian princess.” Priyanka also said Malti loves her bindi, bangles, and accessories. And this is nothing extraordinary; she is just a little girl who enjoys dressing up. When a tradition feels like play, a child doesn’t see it as homework. She sees it as hers.

Malti is growing up in Los Angeles, so English is the main language spoken at home, but Priyanka still brings Hindi into daily life, mostly without trying. She joked that when she calls Malti over, the words come out in Hindi, “Maltie Marie idhar aa”, she shared on The Great Indian Kapil Show, because a mother’s instincts and scolding just do.

If language lives in small moments, food lives at the dinner table. Priyanka said during the 2023 Citadel promotions that Malti loves Indian food, especially matar paneer and biryani, and how the little one devours ‘chatpata food’. Previously, in an interview with The Tribune, PeeCee said, “We have brought her to India, and now she is sitting at my mother’s home and eating paneer with both her hands.”