Pamela Chopra ( 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.
Early life
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.
Career
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. 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.
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 (b. 1971) and Uday (b. 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 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.