Simi Garewal: Pamela Chopra taught me Bharatnatyam

Cousin-actor Simi Garewal reminisces about spending her childhood with the singer-producer who became the 'bedrock' of the Chopra family

Although she was my maternal cousin, Pamela [Chopra] was like my own sister. We shared rooms when she visited us four to five months in a year. It was as if my mother [Darshi Garewal] had adopted her as the third daughter. Pam was a movie buff who knew more about cinema than I did. She taught me Bharatnatyam. She was a warm, vibrant, creative, and charming person who would [often] accompany me on shoots.

Hrithik Roshan and Karan Johar

I took her to BR Chopra’s daughter’s wedding, where Yash and she met for the first time. She [felt] that he was paying more attention to Hema Malini, but I had caught Yash sneaking a glance at Pam several times. A few months later, BR Chopra and his wife [met] my mother [for a marriage alliance] between Yash and Pam. Her father, Mohinder Singh, who was in the army, was initially hesitant as the Chopras were wealthy [in comparison]. But my mother assured that she would take care of everything. She took care of her like her own daughter.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan attends Pamela Chopra's funeral with family, Rani Mukerji sees him off

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone

Strangely, after her marriage with Yash, she started distancing herself from us, which hurt all of us deeply as we couldn’t understand what happened. Though we would go for Aditya [Chopra] and Uday’s [Chopra] birthdays, which eventually stopped. When [we met at] Yashji’s funeral, Pam was warm. We never got a chance to find out what happened, [even when] we spoke, laughed, and joked around. We never dove into what happened.

Uday Chopra, Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan

Pamela was Yashji’s muse, friend, philosopher, and the guiding light of Yash Raj Films in the initial years of their marriage. She was a creative force, musically inclined and his sounding board. She later became busy with the family. Pamela was the gentle, positive, practical influence in Yashji and their children’s lives. She ensured that they were grounded, balanced, and well-mannered. Pamela was the bedrock of their family.

Also Read: Late Yash Chopra's wife Pamela Chopra passes away at 74

Shradhha Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif and John Abraham. Pics/Anurag Ahire, Yogen Shah

All in a day’s work

>> Pamela Chopra sang songs in several of Yash Chopra’s films, including Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002).
>> While she has been credited as producer in several YRF projects, Aaina (1993) was independently produced by her.
>> Pamela co-wrote the script of Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) along with Yash Chopra, son Aditya, and writer Tanuja Chandra.

As told to Upala KBR

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