Pamela Chopra, the wife of yesteryear Bollywood producer Yash Chopra, who has sung for several Hindi hit movies and produced a few of her own, died early on April 20. She was 74.
Her family said in a statement that she was cremated at 11 am in Mumbai. Pamela's eldest son, Aditya Chopra, runs Yash Raj Films, one of Bollywood's biggest movie production houses, while her younger son, Uday Chopra, is an actor. Yash Raj Films was the producer of the recent blockbuster 'Pathaan', starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. The award-winning Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji is married to Aditya.
The family also requested "for privacy in this moment of deep sadness and reflection" and expressed gratitude to all for their prayers.
Pamela nee Singh, was ailing for a couple of weeks and was admitted to a private hospital for treatment where she breathed her last this morning.
A cousin of the renowned actress and now TV hostess Simi Garewal, Pamela was married to Yash Chopra in 1970, the younger brother of the legendary film-maker BR Chopra.
Yash Chopra died in Mumbai in October 2012, aged 80, due to dengue fever.
Singing in Hindi and Punjabi after marriage, Pamela Chopra is remembered for several popular numbers like the vivacious 'Main sasural nahin jaoongi' (Chandni, 1989), folk song 'Banno ki aayegi baraat' (Aaina, 1993), 'Ghar aaja pardesi' (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, 1995), sad number 'Surkh jode ki ye jagmagahat' (Kabhie Kabhie, 1976), a courtesan song 'Idhar aa sitamgar' (Sawaal, 1982), a qawwali 'Aashiq ho to aisa ho' and the sombre 'Uske khel nirale' (both from Noorie, 1979), 'Ja re behna ja' (Trishul, 1978).
She sang solo and duets, for several leading music composers like the late Mohammed Zahur Hashmi 'Khayyam', Rajesh Roshan, Shiv-Hari, Jatin-Lalit, Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen and others, though mostly for films made by her family banner.
Pamela had other roles too, like co-writer for 'Kabhie Kabhie', producer for 'Aaina', Associate Producer for one of Bollywood's biggest superhits 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', and also for 'Mohabbatein', 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge', 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai', 'Veer Zara', co-producer and writer of 'Dil To Paagal Hai', and the dress designer for 'Silsila' and 'Sawaal'.
A trained dancer, along with her late husband, she once made a brief on-screen appearance in the song 'Ek Duuje Ke Vaaste' ('Dil To Paagal Hai').
Bollywood reacted with shock and grief over Pamela's demise and many actors, actresses, producers, directors, composers, and others posted condolence messages on social media.
