Late Pamela Chopra was an Indian playback singer, best known as the wife of Hindi filmmaker Yash Chopra. Popularly referred to as “Pam Aunty” in film circles, Pamela has also worked as a film writer, producer, and costume designer.

In the role of a singer, she has been associated with several blockbuster movies from the Yash Raj films stable such as Kabhie Kabhie, Noorie, Silsila, Kaala Patthar, Chandni, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Mujhse Dosti Karoge. On 20th April 2023, Pamela Chopra breathed her last following pneumonia-related complications.

Physical Stats

Family

Pamela was born on 19 February 1948 in Lahore, Pakistan. Her father Mohinder Singh worked as an officer with the Indian Army. Of the three children, Pamela Chopra was the eldest and she had two younger brothers. Simi Garewal, the Hindi film actress, is Pamela’s cousin. Pamela’s father and Simi’s mother Darshi Garewal were siblings.

Relationships

Pamela met Yash Chopra for the first time during the star cricket show held in Delhi. She went to the show along with two of her cousins who were completely star-struck. Pamela’s father, out of his connections, arranged three passes for them for the show. At the venue, Yash was seated just a couple of rows in front of Pamela Chopra and her cousins. Throughout the match, Yash turns around and looks at Pamela and her beautiful relatives.

Later, in 1970, Pamela married Yash in a traditional ceremony, but it was an arranged marriage. The mother of filmmaker Romesh Sharma was a common friend between Yash’s and Pamela’s families. It was she who brought Pamela’s alliance and suggested to Yash’s sister-in-law (BR Chopra’s wife) that Pamela Chopra would be the perfect match for Yash. Later, both Yash and Pamela met in a formal setting and it finally culminated in their marriage.

Yash Chopra passed away on 21st October 2012 and Pamela Chopra is survived by two sons, Aditya and Uday. The elder one Aditya is a film producer and director whereas Uday is an actor and film producer. Aditya is married to Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji. 

Education

Since Pamela’s father worked in the military, his job demanded relocating to various remote locations across the country. Thus, Pamela did her schooling at army schools in different parts of India.

Controversies

Soon after his marriage with Pamela, Yash Chopra established his own banner, Yash Raj Films. Before that, Yash was under the shadow of his brother BR Chopra, a renowned director and producer of those times.

It is to be noted that Yash’s initial directorial ventures such as Dhool Ka Phool and Waqt were produced under BR Films. After the Chopra brothers parted ways and Yash set up his own production company, Pamela Chopra was blamed by many for the reason behind their breakup.

Later, in 2015, Pamela disclosed in an interview that everyone in the family kept on telling her not to blame herself for the split. However, she went on to add that the members of the family gave her a feeling that she was not welcome which made her assume that the rift between the brothers happened because of her. 

Profession

As a playback singer, Pamela lent her voice to many hit songs in Yash Raj Films’ movies. Some of its famous songs from Pamela Chopra include Aa Ja Aa Ja Yaar Habibi from the film Nakhuda, Main Sasural Nahin Jaoongi from Chandni, and Angna Aayenge Sanwariya from Doosara Aadmi. 

The multitalented Pamela was also a script writer and she was the one who wrote the story of the 1976 film, Kabhi Kabhie which had Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee in the lead roles. She was also the co-writer of the movie Dil To Pagal Hai, along with her son Aditya Chopra and writer Tanuja Chandra.

Pamela Chopra also donned the role of an associate producer and sometimes even a dress designer in YRF films. She became an associate producer in movies such as Mohabbatein, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Veer-Zaara. As a costume designer, she was associated with the movies Silsila and Sawaal.

Pamela was last seen in ‘The Romantics, a Netflix docuseries based on the life and legacy of Yash Chopra.

Source Of Income

Reportedly, Pamela’s net worth stood at $8 million before her death.

Lesser Known Facts About Pamela Chopra

• When her son Aditya told Pamela Chopra that he wanted to get married to actress Rani Mukerji, she was taken by surprise. Since Aditya is a very low-profile person, the first thought that came to Pamela’s mind was how he can get married to an actress as stars always maintain a high profile and they are always in the limelight.

• Pamela once said that though her husband Yash was romantic in his movies, he was a very practical man in real life.    

• Pamela’s actress cousin Simi Garewal shared fond memories of her. Apparently, they both shared rooms when Pamela Chopra used to visit Simi four to five months a year. According to the actress, Pamela was a movie buff who knew more about movies than Simi did and Pamela was also the one who taught her Bharatnatyam.

• Before their marriage, Pamela once met Yash at a Sangeet event held in Mumbai and Yash appreciated her for her singing talent.

• Prior to her marriage, Pamela Chopra was working with British Airways. During that time, filmmaker Romesh Sharma and his father came to meet her at work and they took her out for lunch. However, during that meeting, they didn’t mention anything about Yash. Later, they told Yash’s relative that the girl was working and had short hair.

• According to Pamela, music is her passion and Yash knew about it.  He invited her to attend the music settings and gradually, Pamela Chopra became part of that group.

Read More:

Kavya Maran: Everything About The Owner Of SRH!

Tejasswi Prakash: All About The Winner Of Bigg Boss 15!