Priyanka Chopra Reflects on Her Father's Influence and Illness

Cherished Memories of Her Father

Priyanka Chopra fondly reminisces about her childhood as she recalls her father's illness. "My dad was quite tall, and as a little girl of two or three, I would often try to squeeze between his legs. He would playfully hold me back, and I remember crying because he wouldn’t let me pass. I loved riding on his bike, which was one of my favorite activities."

Growing Up in a Military Family

Born in Jamshedpur, Priyanka frequently visited her grandfather there. "I enjoyed reading as a child, often sitting by the window to watch the world go by. Since my father served in the army, we moved around a lot. He taught me to drive when I was just 13, although I was quite nervous about it. My dad was a doctor in the army until he retired voluntarily in 1997. He was also a talented artist, painter, and singer, known as the 'singing surgeon' for his performances with the army. I inherited my love for singing from him, and I vividly remember him singing on stage while looking at me. If he didn’t acknowledge me, I would get upset. Sometimes, he would invite me on stage to sing an African song I knew."

Taking a Leap into Pageantry

When Priyanka decided to enter the Miss India competition, she was nervous about how her father would react. "Coming from a conservative family, the world of glamour was unfamiliar to my dad. It was my mother who informed him about my intentions, as I was hesitant to discuss it with him. Initially, he was skeptical, but my mom and I convinced him it was just a trip to Mumbai, and I didn’t expect to win. I had never modeled before and thought of myself as unattractive, like an ugly duckling waiting to become a swan. I believed in fairy tales and often cried to my mom about my looks. Even now, it takes me 90 minutes of hair, clothes, and makeup to feel presentable. After winning Miss India, my mom and I moved to Mumbai, and my dad and brother joined us later. My dad has always been incredibly supportive. We bought a house and opened a clinic for my parents, who resumed their medical careers, with him eventually becoming the managing director at Leelavati Hospital."

Coping with His Illness

The joy of her achievements is overshadowed by her father's health struggles. "His illness has been a significant challenge. He always encouraged me to maintain a normal routine, and I never wanted to disappoint him by showing my stress. Now that he is recovering, I feel thankful that I could provide him with the best care. If this had happened two years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to afford it. I firmly believe that daughters care for their parents just as much, if not more, than sons do. Even after marriage, daughters often continue to support their parents more. My mother has many sisters, and my grandmother lives with them."