Pamela Chopra (née Singh; 19 February 1948 – 20 April 2023) was an Indian playback singer. She was the wife of veteran Bollywood film director Yash Chopra, and was also a film writer and producer in her own right.
Pamela Chopra | |
|---|---|
 Pamela Chopra with husband Yash Chopra (right) in 2011 | |
| Born | Pamela Singh 19 February 1948 |
| Died | 20 April 2023 (aged 75) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Pam Chopra |
| Occupation(s) | Playback singer, film producer, writer |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Aditya Chopra Uday Chopra |
| Relatives | Simi Garewal (first cousin) |
Early life edit
Pamela Singh was born in Amritsar, Punjab (India) on 19 February 1948, the daughter of Mohinder Singh, an officer in the Indian Army. The eldest of three children, she had two younger brothers. Since her father was posted in several remote locations all over India, Chopra was educated at several army schools. She was a cousin of the actress Simi Garewal. Chopra's father Mohinder Singh and Garewal's mother Darshi Garewal were siblings.[1]
Career edit
Chopra dabbled in several fields connected to film. She had sung several film songs, including Kabhi Kabhie (1976) and Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002). Her name also appeared in the capacity of 'producer' on the credits of certain films made by her husband. [2] Pamela co-wrote the script of her husband's 1997 film Dil To Pagal Hai along with her husband Yash Chopra, her son Aditya Chopra, and professional writer Tanuja Chandra. She had appeared on screen on one single occasion: in the opening song "Ek Duje Ke Vaaste" of the film Dil To Pagal Hai, where she and her husband appeared together. As a schoolgirl, Pamela had learnt Bharatanatyam, but she had never performed in public.[1]
Personal life edit
Pamela Chopra married the film-maker Yash Chopra in 1970. The marriage was arranged by their families in the traditional Indian manner. The two families had a common friend, the mother of film-maker Romesh Sharma (producer of the film Hum). Sharma contacted the wife of BR Chopra and suggested that Pamela Singh would be 'the ideal bride' for BR's younger brother Yash Chopra.[3] "She was not wrong because we had a wonderful marriage", Pamela was to say forty years later in an interview. The couple met each other for the first time in a formal setting and found each other agreeable. The wedding was held in 1970.
They had two sons, Aditya (b. 1971) and Uday (b. 1973).[4] Aditya is a film producer and director. He is married to actress Rani Mukerji. Uday is an actor and film producer.
Death edit
On 20 April 2023, Pamela Chopra died from pneumonia at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, at the age of 75, having been admitted to the hospital due to 'age-related issues'. Her condition had quickly deteriorated, being placed on a ventilator at the time of her death.[5]
Selected filmography edit
Playback singer edit
| Year | Film | Song | Co-singers | Music director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Kabhi Kabhie | "Surkh Jode Ki Yeh Jagmagahat (Saada Chidiya Da Chamba Ve)" |
Lata Mangeshkar, Jagjit Kaur | Khayyam |
| 1977 | Doosra Aadmi [6] | • "Angna Ayenge Sanvariya" • "Jaan Meri Rooth Gayi" |
• Deven Verma • Kishore Kumar |
Rajesh Roshan |
| 1978 | Trishul | "Ja Ri Bahena Ja" | K. J. Yesudas, Kishore Kumar | Khayyam |
| 1979 | Noorie | • "Ashiq Ho To Aisa Ho (Qawwali)" • "Uske Khel Nirale" |
• Mahendra Kapoor, Jagjit Kaur, S.K. Mahan • Jagjit Kaur, Anwar |
Khayyam |
| 1979 | Kaala Patthar | "Jaggaya Jaggaya" | Mahendra Kapoor, S.K. Mahan | Rajesh Roshan |
| 1981 | Nakhuda | "Aaja Aaja Yaar Habibi" | Khayyam | |
| 1981 | Silsila | "Khud Se Jo Vada Kiya Tha" | Shiv-Hari | |
| 1982 | Bazaar | "Chale Aao Saiyaan" | Khayyam | |
| 1982 | Sawaal | "Idhar Aa Sitamgar" | Jagjit Kaur | Khayyam |
| 1984 | Lorie | "Gudiya Chidiya Chand Chakori" | Jagjit Kaur, Asha Bhosle | Khayyam |
| 1985 | Faasle | "Mora Banna Dulhan Leke Aaya" | Shobha Gurtu | Shiv-Hari |
| 1989 | Chandni | "Main Sasural Nahi Jaaungi" | Shiv-Hari | |
| 1991 | Lamhe | "Freak Out (Parody Song)" | Sudesh Bhonsle | Shiv-Hari |
| 1992 | Deewana Hoon Pagal Nahi | "Maiya Ki Aankhon Ka" | Suresh Wadkar, Udit Narayan | |
| 1993 | Darr | • "Meri Maa Ne Laga Diye" • "Solah Button Meri Choli" |
Lata Mangeshkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy | Shiv-Hari |
| 1993 | Aaina | • "Meri Banno Ki Aayegi Baraat (Happy)" • "Meri Banno Ki Aayegi Baraat (Sad)" |
Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 1995 | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge | "Ghar Aaja Pardesi" | Manpreet Kaur | Jatin–Lalit |
| 2002 | Mujhse Dosti Karoge! | "The Medley" | Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam | Rahul Sharma |
Other roles edit
| Year | Film | Credited as | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Kabhi Kabhie | Writer | |
| 1981 | Silsila | Dress designer | |
| 1982 | Sawaal | Dress designer | |
| 1993 | Aaina | Producer | |
| 1995 | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge | Associate producer | |
| 1997 | Dil To Pagal Hai | Co-producer Screenwriter |
|
| 2000 | Mohabbatein | Associate producer | |
| 2002 | Mujhse Dosti Karoge! | Associate producer | |
| 2002 | Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai | Associate producer | |
| 2004 | Veer-Zaara | Associate producer |
References edit
- ^ a b Parker, Shaheen (24 October 2012). "Yashji was always Pam's priority: Simi Garewal". Mid-Day. Mumbai. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ Vijayakar, Rajiv (25 October 2012). "Women in Yash Chopra's films". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ N, PATCY. "'I was told Yash and Mumtaz were 'just friends.' That wasn't the truth!'". Rediff. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "The life and times of Yash Chopra". Pune Mirror. 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ^ "Yash Chopra's wife Pamela Chopra passes away at 74". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Doosara Aadmi (LP). EMI. 1977. ECLP 5528.
External links edit
- Pamela Chopra at IMDb
- Pamela Chopra discography at Discogs