In a world where we are celebrating women who are breaking glass ceilings, how can we forget to celebrate the contribution of their parents? They made sure not to let society stop their daughters from achieving true potential!
One such parent is Madhu Chopra, who not only managed to give Priyanka Chopra equal opportunities but also fought against society to let her fulfill her dreams.
In one of her interviews with SpotboyE, Madhu shared how excited she was when she was blessed with Priyanka:
“She was an emergency C-section. Her Dad was not in town and I was rushed to the hospital. A nurse asked me: What you want? I said: Girl. She said: Most want boys. I said: No, I want A Girl. It took 4 months to name her. A close friend of mine suggested I name her Priyanka.”
Madhu took us through the phase when Priyanka, a tom-boy, turned into Miss India:
“She was a tom-boy. Couldn’t keep her down on table-kursi. She was a very good student, came 1st or 2nd in class in school. She was in college and Miss India Contest happened. Mere aankhon ke saamne meri beti kisi aur ki ho gayi. I hugged her with the crown on her head and asked: Studies? She said: Mom, this question here?”
She shared how she stood like a rock for Priyanka’s journey into Bollywood:
“Her dad’s family was not in happy space when they discussed her being in movies. Tab sab nahin karti thi movies, aajkal sab karti hain. My husband’s elder brother said: Okay, go ahead. I said: Give her one year. He said: Stay with her throughout, aapni doctori ki practice bhool jao. I looked at her and saw that pleading look in her eyes. The rest, as they say, is history.”
And, then she shared how she was Priyanka’s rock during the low phase of her life and said,
“Fashion brought her back, yes. There was a low phase before that, and it taught her which films to refuse and which to accept. But I think Kaminey too did the trick, she had only 8 scenes in that! Aitraaz was a beauty. I remember Subhash Ghai telling her he does not give a narration. She signed up without listening to the script. This was one film I will never forget. Opening the production house Purple Pebbles was her decision. We used to tease her ‘a rolling stone gathers no moss’. She said she will prove us wrong. I remember that was the time when she was going abroad for music. She was quite confused in her head then, what if she returns here and there’s nothing left for her at that time? Now, I even want her to direct. We initially decided to make only regional movies, but now we will venture into Hindi ones.”
There are innumerable moments when Madhu has been the pillar of strength in Priyanka’s life, but the most cherished moment: When Madhu showed the world that every mom has her daughter’s back is as she walked Priyanka down the aisle.
At I FOR HER, we salute every mother who tries relentlessly to give her daughter a life of equal opportunities – a life full of health, happiness, and hope. More power to them!