Yash Chopra’s wife Pamela Chopra passes away at 74

Late Director-producer Yash Chopra’s wife Pamela Chopra has passed away at the age of 74. Pamela Chopra married film-maker Yash Chopra in 1970.

She is survived by her filmmaker son Aditya Chopra and actor-son Uday Chopra. 

Pamela Chopra breathed her last at Lilavati hospital where she was admitted after being diagnosed with pneumonia. "She passed away today early morning due to pneumonia with ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). She had been admitted to the hospital for 15 days in the ICU," Dr Prahlad Prabhudesai told news agency PTI. Yash Raj Films has also issued an official statement.

Paying his tribute, lyricist Javed Akhtar called Pamela Chopra an exceptional person. He wrote, “Today Pam ji the better half of Shri Yash Chopra has passed away. She was a great lady . Intelligent, educated , warm and witty . Those who like me have worked closely with Yash ji know about her contribution in his scripts and music. She was an exceptional person.”

Pamela Chopra was last seen the 2023 Netflix docu-series ‘The Romantics,’ which celebrated the movies of Yash Chopra and his production house. She remained an important influence in Yash Chopra's career. She was a playback singer and sung many songs for his films - including "Surkh Jode Ki Jagmagahat" from 1976 hit film Kabhie Kabhie, Khude Se Jo Vada Kiya Tha from 1981 film Silsila and Ghar Aaja Pardesi from 1995 film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge.

She was also a credited writer of 1976 hit film Kabhie Kabhie starring Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor. 

Pamela Chopra is credited as a screenwriter along with others, including her son and husband, in "Dil To Pagal Hai". Beyond singing and writing, she was involved in her family's production banner Yash Raj Films as dress designer, producer and associate producer.

(With inputs from agencies)