Pamela Chopra

Pamela Chopra ( Singh; 29 July 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.

Early life Pamela Singh was born in Amritsar, Punjab (India) on 29 July 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. 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 strong knowledge of music and influenced the music of their home production. Besides music, she also gave anecdotes to her husband about story progression in movies. 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.

Personal life 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. "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 (born 1971) and Uday (born 1973). Aditya is a film producer and director. He is married to actress Rani Mukerji. Uday is an actor and film producer.

Death On 20 April 2023, Pamela Chopra died from pneumonia at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, at the age of 74, 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.

Selected filmography

Playback singer

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 "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

Year Film Credited as Notes 1976 Kabhi Kabhie Screenwriter 1981 Silsila Costume designer 1982 Sawaal 1993 Aaina Producer 1995 Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Associate producer 1997 Dil To Pagal Hai Associate producerScreenwriter 2000 Mohabbatein Associate producer 2002 Mujhse Dosti Karoge! Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai 2004 Veer-Zaara