Priyanka Chopra Dives Into the “2016 Throwback” Trend

Actor revisits her breakthrough year with unseen photos, personal moments, and career milestones as the nostalgia trend sweeps Instagram.

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Rajan Mhatre

Last Updated: 2026-01-21 07:48:59

Summary: Bollywood star revisits milestone moments from 2016 with a throwback Instagram post.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas just decided to join the latest wave of nostalgia on Instagram, and honestly, it’s a treat for her fans. She posted a bunch of throwback photos from 2016, tagging along with the viral “2026 is the new 2016” trend. If you’ve followed her journey, you know 2016 wasn’t just any year — it changed everything for her.

She dropped this carousel of never-before-seen shots, captioning it, “The one where everything happened all at once. 2016.” And she wasn’t kidding. There are glimpses of big moments — her very first Oscars, for example, where she basically announced to the world, “I’m here, and I belong.” There’s also that unforgettable dinner with Barack and Michelle Obama, which felt like a huge ‘you’ve made it’ moment, not just for her but for Indian artists everywhere.

The post dives into her Padma Shri ceremony, too — a big deal back home, since it’s one of India’s highest honours. And because Priyanka’s always been all over the map, she threw in some red-carpet glam, behind-the-scenes snaps from Quantico and Baywatch, and even memories from Bollywood blockbusters like Dil Dhadakne Do and Bajirao Mastani. These weren’t just movie roles — they were steps in her leap from Bollywood to Hollywood.

But it wasn’t all about the spotlight. She shared family photos and paid tribute to her late grandmother, letting fans into the parts of her life you don’t usually see on magazine covers. That mix of glitz and genuine emotion? It’s what made the post really land.

And then, because nothing in Priyanka’s world ever goes unnoticed, she brought up that whole magazine cover controversy from 2016. Remember that? People debated body image and representation, and instead of brushing it off, she gave it a cheeky nod. Fans loved it — the honesty, the humour, the fact that she’s still evolving.

This throwback trend has been picking up steam with celebs everywhere, but Priyanka’s post stands out. It’s not just a highlight reel; it’s her looking back, owning both her wins and her more personal memories.

Looking forward, she’s got some big stuff coming up — a new role as Bloody Mary in the pirate adventure The Bluff, plus a return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi. Clearly, she’s not slowing down.

For fans, whether you were there for the ride in 2016 or you’re just loving the nostalgia now, Priyanka’s flashback is a reminder that some years stick with you forever — and her story’s still being written.