Noted playback singer of “Main sasural nahin jaoongi” and “ Meri Banno ki aayegi baraat” fame Pamela Chopra — widow of renowned yesteryear filmmaker Yash Chopra — died at the Lilavati Hospital here on Thursday.
Pamela Chopra nee Singh was 74 and is survived by two sons filmmaker Aditya and actor Uday. She had not been keeping well for the past few weeks. She had been admitted to the Lilavati Hospital a fortnight ago.
“With heavy hearts, the Chopra family would like to inform you that Pamela Chopra, 74, passed away this morning. Her cremation took place at 11 am today in Mumbai,” the Chopra family said in a statement issued here.
The family requested “for privacy in this moment of deep sadness and reflection” and expressed gratitude to all for their prayers. Earlier in the day, Lyricist Javed Akthar – confirming Pamela’s death – tweeted: “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. Daughter of Indian Army officer Mohinder Singh and cousin of yesteryear actress Simi Garewal, Pamela married filmmaker Yash Chopra in 1970. Yash Chopra, also a Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee, passed away in Mumbai in October 2012 at the age of 80 years, after he suffered from acute Dengue.
Though she was a writer and producer in her own right, Pamela was known for her playback singing in Hindi and Punjabi. She sang for many films including the popular ones made by her husband Yasah Chopra like “Kabhi Kabhi” ( 1976), Mujse Dosti Karoge! (2002) and Trishul (1976).