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Journalism of Courage
Priyanka Chopra’s mother, Dr Madhu Chopra, recently opened up about the crucial role her late husband, Dr Ashok Chopra, played in their daughter’s upbringing. In a recent interview, she candidly admitted that Priyanka shared a deeper bond with her father, often turning to him for comfort and guidance rather than to her mother.
Madhu reflected on how her husband Ashok’s unwavering support helped shape Priyanka’s confidence and self-esteem. “Darr, ghabrahat, low self-esteem ka role hi nahi hai agar papa ache hain toh (There is no place for fear, anxiety, or low self-esteem if a father is good),” she said. According to her, Dr Ashok was more than just a father to Priyanka—he was her confidant, someone she could trust completely.
“Chopra Sahab was more hands-on than I was. Both kids were very close to him. In fact, I think he was more of a confidant for Priyanka than I was,” she told Pinkvilla.
“He was like a rock—dependable, always there. Nahi hai, toh bhi hai. Even if he wasn’t physically present, you knew he would handle things. That sense of security removes fear, anxiety, and low self-esteem from a child’s mind. But if a father has anger management issues or is too harsh, then it’s not the same thing,” she added.
“Saare din bhar ki baatein karte the. Kaam se aati thi, seedha papa ke paas aake baith jati thi. Ye apni, vo apni. (Priyanka and her father would talk about everything. After work, she would go straight to him and share everything that happened during the day. It was a very friendly yet fatherly relationship—a wonderful bond they shared,” Madhu said.
According to counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa, “The creation of confidence in children depends on their parent’s ability to build it rather than destroy it.”
“Children observe themselves through your self-concept, which makes this matter extremely vital. Wording that comes from you will take root in their internal dialogue. It shapes their identity. Many parents prevent themselves from speaking openly or withholding themselves because they believe preparation for the real world is necessary. The child suffers from an absence of necessary love and attention and lacking confidence. The motivation behind this technique might be correct in their eyes, but the extended outcomes prove ineffective. A child develops confidence through the awareness that parents stand by their side while leading the way toward independence,” Vatsa explained.
The former army doctor has admitted in an interview that she was not as emotionally available to Priyanka as her husband was. “Main zyada rule-following aur strict thi (I was more of a rule-follower and strict),” she said, adding that Priyanka found a greater sense of security in her father’s presence.
Madhu has previously spoken about sending Priyanka to boarding school at a young age, a decision she later regretted. She recalled how Priyanka, as a child, once dismissed her father while playing with a doll, mimicking Madhu’s behaviour. This moment of realisation led them to believe that sending Priyanka away would instil discipline, leaving her feeling abandoned.
Despite these parenting challenges, Madhu acknowledges that Priyanka’s upbringing was “wholesome,” and she takes pride in the woman her daughter has become today. The late Ashok Chopra, who passed away in 2013, remains a deeply influential figure in Priyanka’s life, evident from the “Daddy’s Lil Girl” tattoo she proudly wears.
Through her words, Madhu Chopra highlights the irreplaceable role of a supportive father in a child’s emotional and mental well-being, reinforcing how Ashok Chopra’s nurturing presence helped Priyanka emerge as the strong, independent woman she is today.
