Priyanka Chopra’s New York City restaurant ‘Sona’ made its debut in March 2021 amid COVID-19 restrictions, and soon gained a lot of popularity on social media. However, she announced in August 2023 that she was parting ways with SONA, which she co-founded with Manish Goyal. It was clarified that the restrictions will continue despite her exit from the venture.
In the latest update on its Instagram handle, the restaurant has announced that it will be shutting down soon after a remarkable journey of 3 years.
“After more than three remarkable years, SONA is closing. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has walked through our doors. It has been our greatest honor to serve you,” SONA announced.
The restaurant thanked its dedicated team for providing delicious food, smiles and warmth every day. According to the post, SONA’s final service will be brunch on Sunday, June 30. “We hope this will be the last time we see you for a meal or a drink. Our doors and hearts are open,” the statement concluded.
Reacting to the post, many SONA lovers expressed surprise and said “We will miss you!”.
One person commented, “I’m sorry to hear that. I loved your food!”
“I’m glad I got the chance to dine out, open doors to new ventures,” said another.
A third user wrote: “So sad! You were so great. You will be missed.”
Why did Priyanka Chopra distance herself from SONA?
Last year, Priyanka Chopra’s representative revealed that the actress, who has been a partner of SONA since its inauguration, will now focus on other aspirations.
In a statement issued to People magazine, the rep said, “Priyanka has distanced herself from her involvement in SONA. Bringing SONA to life will certainly be a proud and important moment in her career.”
“Priyanka has always strived to bring Indian culture to the fore through storytelling, whether it be through engaging content for film and TV, or through a beautifully served dish showcasing the high cuisine of India.”
She said she can achieve these goals on a larger global scale by leaving SONA and she is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Jonas’ friend and former business partner and SONA co-founder Manish K. Goyal told the publication that working with Priyanka was “a dream come true.”
In a statement, he said he was grateful for Priyanka’s partnership and support. He further added, “We are excited for our respective new chapters.”
Goyal said she will no longer participate as a creative partner, but will continue to be a part of the SONA family.
Was there any rift between Priyanka and her former business partner?
Priyanka’s sudden exit left many wondering what happened behind closed doors. There were reports in the media that the actress unexpectedly announced her exit from the film due to a rift with Manish Goel.
According to Page Six, it all started with Diwali celebrations.
Goyal and Anjula Acharya, Priyanka’s close friend, threw a joint Diwali party at the Pierre Hotel in 2022. But in 2023, her friends, including Priyanka, had to choose between Goyal and Acharya as the former decided to host a party at Mandarin Oriental while the latter decided to go ahead with the Pierre.
According to insiders, this choice has forced the South Asian community to “choose sides”. One person compared the issue to the Christmas crisis after a divorce, saying, “It’s like, who’s going to mom’s party and who’s going to dad’s party?”
When asked about the two celebrations, Goyal said he was glad that the South Asian community was so active that Acharya could host two events together. “I am looking forward to both the events and the upcoming Diwali season.”
However, Priyanka has not commented on any of these speculations.
Know more about Priyanka’s role in the restaurant
Priyanka’s husband Nick Jonas suggested the name of the restaurant, which means ‘gold’ in Hindi.
The restaurant serves dishes reminiscent of several Indian subcontinental regions, including Goan fish curry and paneer tikka.
When SONA launched, Goyal described Priyanka as the “creative force” behind the restaurant. He said Priyanka helped him with several important elements, including the menu, music, and design.
