Cosmetic surgeons may work professionally at the surface levels. But the nuanced work they do works wonders at far deeper levels of their client’s psyche. This explains why a lot of people love Dr. Madhu Akhouri Chopra, renowned cosmetologist and the Director at Studio Aesthetique.
As an interviewer, The Pioneer’s was able to see clearly the values she cherishes in life. During the long zoom conversation from Los Angeles, she revealed how she had spent a significant portion of her professional career working for the Armed Forces as a qualified ENT specialist from AFMC (Pune). As a mother to star kids Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Siddharth Chopra, Dr. Madhu Chopra always chose the less-traveled path and never gave up on following social norms. She is a Bihari-Magahi from Jamshedpur. She is the eldest daughter of Madhu Jyotsna Akhouri, a former member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and Dr. Manohar Kishan Akhouri, a former veteran of the Congress.
Inspired her alma mater to institute awards for extracurricular activities
Madhu, the little one, was an angel, never notorious in her growing years. There were five of us; and, since I was the eldest, I took on responsibilities. So, I rarely had time to be mischievous.
Many happy recollections
While growing up, I was more of a tomboy. Although, I did not excel academically, I did well in extracurricular activities. I had to approach my father once after my teacher told me I would not be moving on to the next class since I had not been doing well in my studies. It was not fair! It is impossible to be an all-round player; I was overdue. I recall having a talk with the principal when my father visited me in the sixth grade. Despite all this, the school was rather proud of me; for, I had represented them and brought home numerous medals in inter-school tournaments. My father then made an opportune recommendation that such kids also should receive their proper credit. As a result, my school began awarding extracurricular activity credit as well. The fact that I was able to influence a policy shift at school makes me proud. For once, we went beyond grades and positions!
Lying not tolerated at home
There was zero tolerance for lying in our home. A youngster would always have to turn to lies for tricking parents who consider even minor slip-ups as serious transgressions. I used to receive punishment, which involved standing in front of the wall, just like in many homes, I am sure. But that was truly awful — for hours together! I don’t want to be a bad example; therefore, I really shouldn’t be telling you about all the naughty things I did (laughs).
Dreamed of becoming a doctor
Becoming a doctor was all that I wanted, right from my childhood. After all, my father was a doctor, and I had witnessed his selfless acts of helping the less fortunate. Like any other child, I too have memories of playing doctor. My siblings and I would pretend to be doctors and ambulance drivers and surgeons, respectively. Playacting these things undoubtedly had a positive influence on me, strengthening my determination to become a doctor. Indeed, I even wed a doctor!
Beneficial exposure during upbringing in Jamshedpur
My hometown is Jamshedpur, which is still a haven for the core traditions of Bihar. Since Jamshedpur is well-known for its Tata factories, my town was crowded with people from all over the nation. It developed into an open, multicultural metropolis, and while we were growing up, we were exposed to customs typical of Mumbai. The finest thing that happened to me as a child was the influence of the city’s diverse population. It was a good exposure.
Got to know spouse at work
I wanted to be a doctor; so, I preferred to be a resident doctor with lots of work to be done. I met the man who would become my husband while doing my first employment at Bareilly. My first job was in a mission hospital, where there was a continuous stream of patients. I am happy that I could help them in some way. I would do direct labour. After seeing me there, my spouse realized that he had actually come there to visit someone else! We decided to move forward with the matter in three days.
Opportunity to enlist in the Army
Girls in uniform, in my opinion, look fantastic. I had the chance to enlist in the Army after completing my postgraduate studies at an army medical institution in Pune. The bright side was that I was typically posted along with my spouse; and, we would go out together while dressed in uniform. What a breathtaking sight! Using the gun and firing was the one aspect of Army life that I found quite challenging! We were undergoing training. I have completed everything, including taking it apart and using the range. Every young person ought to enlist in the military once in their lifetime. It changes your outlook on life! It also teaches you how to respect your life and to be disciplined. You do learn how to present yourself in a dignified manner! Those years spent in the Army have made me a better person now.
Respect key to relationship
Priyanka was my firstborn child, and Siddharth, my son, was born a little later. Priyanka was born in Jamshedpur, but we were then still in Bareilly. Her birthplace is my maika. My spouse and I enjoyed a wonderful marriage filled with mutual understanding. We never got into heated disputes because, even when we disagreed, our disagreements would only lead to constructive dialogue. I never expected him to read my mind, unlike other couples, and vice versa. I would inform him right away if I needed anything, and he would do the same. Our relationship was based on mutual respect; neither of us ever spoke rudely to the other. For me, he and I were the most significant individuals.
Application for Femina Miss India posted by brother
One day, Siddharth came into my room and said, ‘Mom, why don’t you send her (Priyanka) to the upcoming beauty pageant?’ I mentioned that the last date is getting closer and that we don’t have any professionally shot photos. He began hunting for her pictures in our family albums. She had, in fact, shot a few pictures for college applications and interviews. They turned out to be quite good and were those postcard-esque photographs! He actually clipped her portions out of our family group shots as we did not have any full-length pictures of her. I can still clearly recall this. Extremely nonchalant! He was so serious that he really brought his notebook to write the application. To keep him calm, I simply wrote him the note and filled the application form. He posted it. We all forgot about it and he was nine years old. Two months later, Priyanka herself answered the phone on the landline when we got a call! Priyanka now began to worry how Femina found out that I lived in Bareilly. When she was found out, she was quite happy! This truly had an indelible impact on all of our lives. The good news is that this coincided with her desire to take a gap year.
Couldn’t devote all of her time to Siddharth
Siddharth was nine or ten years old when Priyanka was crowned Miss World. Priyanka and I were traveling, and their father was at work. Siddharth was by himself during most of his adolescence. His maternal grandmother, or nani, was present, of course. When his father got home from work, he used to question him if he had finished his schoolwork and other things. However, I believe that while we could provide Priyanka bharpoor time, we were unable to do so with Siddharth. That is how I feel. However, since his nani was around, he was oblivious to it. He did, of course, receive a lot of affection because he was our kid. He and Priyanka have never said to me that we abandoned them or that we were not there for them.
My daughter gave me clinic
When Priyanka first entered the entertainment industry after winning the beauty pageant, Dr. Chopra did not adhere to her routine. My family put pressure on me to give up my profession and my practice in order to join her. I was asked never to leave her alone by my husband’s elder brother. “Humare ghar ki ladkiyan ye sab nahi karti”. But I believe my daughter paid me back by giving me a clinic. So, I never lost my identity and I have no regrets now. What goes around comes around. Seeing how Priyanka reversed the entire situation and gave me a clinic, saying to me, ‘Mom, I can’t see you sitting at home doing nothing, you have to start practicing’. She got me back to practicing!
Went everywhere with Priyanka
Priyanka and I were both new to the beauty and film industries. Essentially, it resembled a blind man guiding another blind man. I understood finance and had studied law. Thus, even though she had competent attorneys, I used to manage her legal case. Since I knew about her finances, I also overlooked them. I had to accompany her everywhere, whether it was during meetings or narrations. For Priyanka’s emotional safety, other limits were also established, such as not going out after 7:30 PM or attending meetings after that time, and refusing to do scenes that did not feel right, even if it meant missing out on movies. She never had to “do or die,” as we always told her. You can always return, resume your education, or choose a different line of work. You are spoilt for choice. This or that, if not this. People will regard you less favorably if you think less of yourself. Think large and act accordingly.
My kids were allowed to communicate their emotions
My children were able to communicate with me about their wants. I never told them that they were being rude or acting like wild children; they were free to express their feelings as they felt. I said, “I know you love me; you know I love you, that’s completely undeniable. You are feeling wild, show me how wild. You are feeling angry, show me how angry. I am there for you; I am your punching bag.
Confident about cousins
Along with their mama, cousins, mami, and maasi, my kids grew up. Family was priority and the kids were no different. Every interview that Priyanka does, she discusses her family. Despite being a working mother all my life, I always made sure the kids were never left to themselves. My kids adore living in a blended family. We frequently host family gatherings at the last minute. My spouse’s side of the family has nine children, whereas my side has nine children. The cousins come together and enjoy the best time ever. You won’t be able to distinguish between the cousin and the true sibling because they are so close. The relationship is really close. They will support one another even after I am gone.
Happy mother
There was this toy back in the day that would spring back up when you struck it. That is Priyanka’s nature. She returned stronger than ever, defying all attempts to silence her. She achieved this only by putting in a great deal of effort and concentration. She has never done anything else that I have seen. She never attended any gatherings. She would learn her lines, go to work, and remain at home. She continued to be devoted and sober. Being a proud mother, my favorite topic of conversation is Priyanka. I am incredibly proud of my kids. I did not contribute much. A mother has a 95% effect on her child and the other 5% is contributed by the father and other family members. In exchange, Priyanka has grown so much. When Priyanka was a little child, she was put in boarding school and when she was a teenager, she was sent to the US. When I think about it, I still cry, and I still feel bad. It was my fault for sending her to a boarding school. Not my greatest life choice. Yet, neither of my children has ever voiced any grievances over my absence from their upbringing. She did not just fall from the tree to become a global star today, as some may argue. She put a lot of efforts into getting to where she is now! She gave up many of life’s joys, which the media rarely knows about. She did fantastic!
Loss of spouse
No matter how much mental preparation you give yourself; in such situations, it is never sufficient. I had a really difficult time accepting that my husband has left me. We all made an effort to bond with one another. Priyanka, Siddharth, and I truly became close to one another. Together, we shared our sadness and comforted one another. We were just thinking about him the entire time. I needed over a year and a half to heal from my husband’s passing. Even to overcome the shock long enough for me to respond! It’s still challenging. This loss of grieving is irreversible.
Nick is amazing!
I genuinely admire and love Nick. He is a courteous and affectionate jamaai. Although we appreciate one another and talk about anything, there is a boundary that separates us. We are a happy family that enjoys one other’s company. Despite being foreign, Nick seems like a family man to me. Nick and Priyanka have similar moral principles, and he also believes that a family is the foundation for success in life. I see Nick and Priyanka helping each other out so wonderfully on the professional front. Malti is taken care of by him when Priyanka is away on assignments. He is such a blessing to us. Now that Priyanka is handling parenthood responsibilities better than I did, I feel extremely happy. I am receiving double as much benefit from my daughter Priyanka as I did for my parents and in-laws. One thing that Priyanka has learned from us is the value of family support. She witnessed her father tending to them during an emergency while I was abroad. She has taken such good care of her daughter Malti today, and it has made us proud. Being a suitable match makes Nick and Priyanka extremely fortunate. Having attended a convent for my education, I am somewhat familiar with Christianity. Growing up, religion was not always such a polarizing force as it is now. We researched every culture there is! In actuality, my mother was a devout Christian. Furthermore, my father was an ardent Hindu. Since I came from a diverse background, I did not find it unusual at all that Priyanka and Nick were married. Nick has an amazing family. Actually, Nick shows a great deal of respect for our culture and me as his mother-in-law. I do not feel at all uncomfortable entering their home as we speak! The day Priyanka met Nick will always make me happy. It is hard for me to put into words how wonderful he is for my daughter.
Family has named their granddaughter after her
Since Malti is my middle name, my granddaughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas has been named in honor of me by the family. Her grandmother’s middle name is Marie. It is quite amazing; my granddaughter is a truly unique child. I adore her so much! As we speak, I am in Los Angeles, spending every second of my life with her. Seeing her in front of my eyes every day is amazing. According to our custom, the baby’s name is whispered into their ears by the paternal grandfather along with some wise comments. That’s what Nick’s father did. Nick bathes her and changes her diapers as I give her a massage.
Impressed with children’s maturity
Priyanka last spent her birthday when she was five years old. After that, she never again had a lavish celebration. She had always desired to celebrate it in an elderly people’s home or an orphanage! She was taught this by a nun. Furthermore, we never attempted to do anything extravagant because we were in the Army. We were content with our modest lifestyle. You can see Priyanka donating in this manner today. Her charitable work is a component of her lovely personality today. The same is true with my son Siddharth; he doesn’t observe festivals at home. It’s at an elderly residence always. They simply don’t go there, but they develop relationships with the elderly and youngsters. I have always felt moved by that.
Time to retire as full-time doctor
I have been working for nearly 45 years, without ever taking a break. I think I’ve fulfilled myself now. This year, I turn 71, and it is time for me to retire from practicing medicine full-time and become a part-time doctor. And a full-time grandmother, of course! (laughs) I devoted all of my effort to advancing my career when I was younger. My mother lived with me for a considerable amount of time so that I could finish my post-graduation studies. All this was after I gave birth to my children. It is true that raising a child requires a village.
These days, there is a lot of pressure on doctors
The term “medicine industry” seems to be applied to the medical profession these days. I am aware that health and medicine are “services” rather than products. It is a noble career that was never considered a ‘industry’. Hospital privatization has led to corporatism, which is why everyone believes there is a functioning industry. Many believe that the modern medical system is driven by money! This bubble cannot last forever and will eventually burst. These days, you don’t have total faith in your doctor, so you get second and third opinions. These days, doctors are under a lot of pressure. Though accurate, it’s a sad fact.
Spouse protected from politics at work
Whatever workplace politics existed; my life partner’s backing made it all go completely away. Medical technology is developing at a very rapid pace, with major advancements occurring every three months. Leaving the Army to go into private practice, that felt like a low point in my career though. In a new state, where most of them were unknown to me: that was my last post, in Bareilly. Yes, that was really difficult. Suddenly, I had more patients than I could handle in my tiny outpatient chamber. They had to be sent to different hospitals by me! There was a gentleman who was a businessman from Islam who lived next door. He actually came to my clinic and asked, “Why don’t you use my factory upstairs as a hospital? I have a lot of space there.” I answered, “I don’t think I can afford such a large space; I don’t have the money, and my husband is in the Army.” He asks, “When did I talk to you about money?” He did not take anything from me till I started making money. That’s how my lowest point become much easier to get over!
Learning about being a producer, thanks to Priyanka
With respect to my participation in the family’s production company, I acknowledge that Priyanka gave me the chance to gain knowledge about production. We have successfully produced two films under Priyanka’s direction. Priyanka’s endeavors in the US have led to the production house’s international expansion. We are actively creating our own ideas and co-producing with foreign studios. With an emphasis on a variety of artistic pursuits, our family is making progress in the entertainment industry even as Priyanka sets her sights on global undertakings.
