Madhu Chopra Shares Hrithik and Rakesh Roshan Helped Priyanka Chopra’s Father In Medical Crisis

Dr. Madhu Chopra, mother of actor Priyanka Chopra, opened up about one of the most challenging periods in her family’s life, her husband Ashok Chopra's battle with cancer, during a recent podcast.

Dr. Madhu Chopra, mother of actor Priyanka Chopra, opened up about one of the most challenging periods in her family’s life during an interview on the YouTube channel Something Bigger Show. Recalling her late husband Dr. Ashok Chopra’s battle with cancer, she shared how Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan stepped in to provide much-needed assistance. 

How Hrithik Roshan, Rakesh Roshan helped Priyanka when her father was ill

Madhu described her husband’s diagnosis as the “most vulnerable moment” of her life. After complications in his health arose, the family decided to explore treatment options in Boston, where she had relatives. However, arranging the journey proved daunting. “He was very ill. My brother said if you think he has five percent chance of survival, bring him to Boston. And that was another task, getting him on a plane, because none of the airlines wanted to take such a serious patient even though we gave disclaimers,” she said. 

At the time, Priyanka was working on the film ‘Krrish’ with Hrithik Roshan and his father, director Rakesh Roshan. When they learned about the family’s struggle, they immediately offered their support. “It just so happened that Priyanka was shooting Krrish with Hrithik and Rakesh Roshan, so she shared her worries with them. He asked her ‘why are you crying?’ and then both father and son made that possible for the airlines to take us. They helped us, put in a word, they knew people,” Madhu recounted. 

Priyanka's father chose to keep his illness private

During the interview, Madhu also spoke about how her husband chose to keep his illness private, even from close family members. “He told me not to tell anybody, not in the family, we will go through it ourselves. That was the hardest time to see this mountain slowly getting weak and dealing with something. He couldn’t share his anxiety, his worries, and he was internalising it all,” she said. 

She reflected on the emotional toll of being kept at a distance during such a critical time. “I felt I was being kept outside, but it was that he didn’t want me to be worried, which is why he was not sharing. I didn’t know if I should fight it, understand it, or be gentle with him or be angry with him. That was a hard time,” she added.