Pamela Chopra (1938-2023) was an Indian playback singer and film writer and producer. She is the wife of veteran Bollywood film director Yash Chopra. She is often credited as a writer, costume designer, and singer in Yash Chopra’s films. He died of pneumonia at Lilavati Hospital And Research Centre, Mumbai on 20 April 2023.
Wiki/Biography
Pamela Singh was born in 1948 (age 74-75 years; at time of death). He belongs to a typical Indian blended family and spent his childhood with many cousins. Since his father was a naval officer, he grew up studying in different military schools as his father was stationed in several remote locations across India.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 3″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family
He belongs to a Punjabi family.
Parents & Siblings
Pamela Chopra’s father, Mohinder Singh, was an officer in the Indian Navy. He has two younger brothers.
Husband & Son
In 1970, she married veteran Bollywood film director Yash Chopra (deceased).
Yash Chopra and Pamela Chopra wedding pictures
His son (born in 1971) Aditya Chopra is also a film director, producer, and writer. Aditya is the chairman of the entertainment company Yash Raj Films (YRF), which was founded by his father. Her son Uday Chopra (born 1973) is an actor and producer known for starring in the Bollywood films Mohabbatein (2000) and Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002) and its sequel Dhoom.
Childhood photos of Aditya Chopra and Uday Chopra with their parents, Pamela Chopra and Yash Chopra
Pamela Chopra and Yash Chopra
Pamela Chopra and Uday Chopra
Aditya Chopra And Rani Mukerji
Others
Indian actress talk show host Simi Garewal is Pamela Chopra’s first cousin. Simi’s mother, Darshi, and Pamela’s father, Mohinder Singh, are siblings.
From Left to right, Simi Garewal, Hema Malini and Pamela Chopra
Pamela Chopra’s brother-in-law BR Chopra (Yash Chopra’s brother) is also a famous film director and producer in Bollywood. His son Aditya is married to Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji.
Pamela Chopra and Rani Mukerji
Indian filmmaker Karan Johar’s mother, Hiroo Johar, is Yash Chopra’s younger sister.
From left to right, Yash Chopra, Pamela Chopra, Hiroo Johar and Yash Johar
Career
Before marriage, she worked with British Airways. After her marriage to Yash, she dabbled in several film-related fields for the family’s production banner Yash Raj Films (YRF). Pamela Chopra sang various songs for Yash Chopra’s films, starting from Kabhi Kabhie in 1976 to Mujhse Dosti Karoge in 2002. Among her most famous songs are Main Sasural Nahi Jaungi from Chandni (1989) and Ghar Aaja Pardesi from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) for which he shared the credit with Manpreet Kaur. He also wrote the story of the film Kabhie Kabhie (1976), which later became one of Yash Chopra’s biggest hits. Although her name appears in the capacity of ‘producer’ in the credits of various films made by her husband, she independently produced the film Aaina (1993).
He is credited as co-writer for the 1997 blockbuster Dil To Pagal Hai, along with Yash Chopra, Aditya Chopra, and Tanuja Chandra. He made a brief appearance on the silver screen, along with Yash Chopra, for the opening song Ek Duje Ke Vaaste from Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). He is also credited with the story of the Bollywood film Lamhe (1991) which was inspired by the romantic novel Daddy-Long-Legs (1912). He worked as a costume manager for the films Noorie (1979), Silsila (1981), and Sawaal (1982). He worked as an associate producer for the films Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Mohabbatein (2000), Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002), and Veer-Zaara (2004).
Death
On 20 April 2023, Pamela Chopra died of pneumonia at the Lilavati Hospital and Research Center in Mumbai. His cremation took place the same day in Mumbai. He was hospitalized 15 days earlier due to age-related problems and had been on a ventilator when his health deteriorated.
Favourite
Facts/Trivia
- She loved music and dance since childhood and also learned Bharatnatyam when she was young. In an interview, while reminiscing about his childhood with Pamela, Simi Garewal said,
He loved to sing Punjabi songs and would teach me how to sing with the right accent. Whatever Punjabi song I know, I owe it to him. Pam had also learned bharatnatyam and I remember during the holidays we would dance until 2am. He will keep saying tha thei thei thath until I can take the right steps.”
Realizing Pamela’s passion for music, Yash Chopra would ensure that his wife was a part of his film music conferences. Speaking about the same in the documentary The Romantics (2023), Pamela said,
Music is my passion. Yash knew that and he would invite me to attend a music conference. Slowly, I became part of the group”.
- Pamela and Yash first met during a cricket match in Delhi. However, they did not talk or meet there. Talking about the same, in an interview, he said,
Oh, yes. I first saw him at this star cricket show in Delhi. Yash sat just a few rows in front of us. My cousin showed him to me. Yash turned and saw us. My cousin is very pretty and you know, he’s into pretty girls, so he kept turning heads the whole game. But we don’t meet or talk to each other.”
- The two first met when Pamela’s cousin Simi Garewal introduced them at Yash’s niece’s wedding in Mumbai. While talking about their first meeting in an interview, Pamela said,
I think the first time I spoke to him was at Yashji’s niece’s wedding sangeet. I was in Mumbai for vacation and stayed at Simi’s place. They were invited and took me along. They said I would be a great asset because I sing Punjabi songs. I met him very briefly at first. He was too busy to convince Hema Malini to do the film. He and Hema were on the balcony all the time. He entered only when the singing began. I am singing. He came to me and praised me for my singing. That’s all.”
- They had a traditional Indian wedding arranged by their family through a common friend, the mother of filmmaker Romesh Sharma. Apparently, Romesh’s mother saw Pamela at a wedding in Delhi. After that, he contacted BR Chopra’s wife and suggested that Pamela would make an ideal bride for BR’s younger brother Yash.
- She is also referred to as Pam Chopra and called Pam Aunty by many people.
- He occasionally enjoys alcoholic beverages. While talking about Pamela and Yash, in an interview, Sharmila Tagore said,
Yash and Pam are very much in love. I remember when I was on my way home from London, they were on the seat in front of me. As you know, Yash never drinks, but they share a glass of champagne, each. It was a sweet moment, egging each other on, friendship, mutual appreciation.”
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
