Priyanka Chopra’s father, Dr Ashok Chopra, passed away

PRIYANKA WILL ALWAYS REMAIN DADDY’S GIRL

    Priyanka Chopra’s father, Dr Ashok Chopra, passed away on Monday morning. He was suffering from cancer and had been admitted to an Andheri hospital last week. He was 64. Like most of us women, Priyanka Chopra was always a daddy’s girl. And she had told me she would always remain one.
    When he was first diagnosed with cancer, the actress’s world fell apart. Shattered, she broke down if one ever broached the subject of her father’s health. But like a warrior, she took it upon herself to give her dad the best treatment she could.
    Whether it was flying him overseas or getting the best medical help for him in India, Priyanka unquestionably did her best. And the girl who was averse to tattoos showed to what lengths she would go, to show her dad she loved him, when she got the words, “Daddy’s lil girl” tattooed on her wrist. In the last few days, Dr Chopra was on a ventilator and PC yo-yoed between being a symbol of strength in one second...and terribly weak in the next. “Please, please, please hold on,” she urged her father, even as she took part in prayers and pujas for his failing health.
    And she flaunted the fact. I remember meeting Dr Ashok Chopra in 2000, a little after PC won the Miss World pageant.
    Naturally, he beamed with pride. Slightly more gregarious than his wife Madhu, he accepted compliments on his daughter’s behalf. From then on, visits to Priyanka’s house meant just one thing — one sought Dr Chopra out. He was always polite, even when one asked uncomfortable questions. He always remembered to offer a cup of tea. Besides his daughter’s achievements, the one thing that he took pride in, was his playback singing.
    A surgeon by profession, Dr Chopra also served in the Army from 1977. He retired in 1997 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his service, he was awarded as a Distinguished Officer and was also appointed as the Head of Department of Surgery at 153 Gen Hospital in Leh (Army hospital at the highest altitude in Asia), among others. He was also honoured with Lord Buddha’s Tamkha for medical services rendered to the people of Ladakh. He and his wife Madhu also have a cosmetic surgery clinic in Mumbai.
PC’S TWEETS ON DAD June 2, 2013 My Daddy strongest (also posted a pic with her father)
February 17, 2013 Small mercies. My Dad is home after 3 months in the hosp! Thank u God n all of u for ur kindness. still a long way to recovery but its a start.
Dec 12, 2012 Seeing my dad so weak and so fragile breaks me just a lil bit more.. Dads are supposed to be superheroes… need some prayers today
My Daddy strongest Early morning aarti at Siddhivinayak and an amazing ziyarat at Haji Ali… as the sun comes up I feel faith… and belief… and hope…
Thank you for all the wishes for my dad… will convey the message… Means a lot to us as a family.

Priyanka Chopra with her father Ashok Chopra at TOIFA, Vancouver, in April this year where she picked the Best Actress trophy for Barfi

With her parents at the Filmfare Awards a couple of years ago

Funeral preparations at PC’s home

    Around noon, a pall of gloom descended on Raj Classic, the building where Priyanka Chopra resides with her family. News of her father, Dr Ashok Chopra’s death had reached the neighbours and preparations for the funeral were being made. While a stream of star visitors like Rakesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan rushed to the hospital to offer condolences to the actress, the police came to the building to supervise the security arrangements. The heavy downpour in Mumbai delayed proceedings and till the time we went to press, the body was yet to be brought home.