Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 4, 2016)
Priyanka Chopra's maternal grandmother Madhu Jyotsana Akhouri passed away on Friday. She was 94.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs Madhu Jyotsna Akhouri, our beloved mother and grandmother. Freedom fighter, social activist, MLA, amongst other things. She was an amazing woman who lived a full life, filled with purpose and love. She left us in her sleep, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She will always be in our hearts. Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day," said a statement released by the actress's team.
PeeCee who returned to India on May 26 after wrapping up her Hollywood film, Baywatch, and dived headlong into work put meetings on hold to be with her family in their hour of grief.
She is set to fly to New York to announce her second Hollywood film and kick off the second season of her TV show, Quantico, in July
-----------------
The actress puts all commitments on hold following her maternal granny’s demise; last rites to be performed today
Anirban Das (MID-DAY; June 4, 2016)
Priyanka Chopra, who is here on a 40-day visit to wrap up endorsement and Bollywood commitments before flying out to the US, put her work on hold after her maternal grandmother passed away. Madhu Jyotsna Akhauri was 94 and had been suffering from old age related ailments. It is, however, not known if she breathed her last in Bareilly, the actress’ hometown, and where her last rites would be performed today.
A statement issued by her family read, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs Madhu Jyotsna Akhauri, our beloved mother and grandmother. Freedom fighter, social activist, MLA, amongst other things... She left us in her sleep, surrounded by family and loved ones (sic).”
Sources said PeeCee was extremely close to her granny and had taken her to the sets of her last B’wood outing, Jai Gangaajal. She had wished her on her 94th birthday last week by posting a sepia- tinted snap in which she is flanked by Akhauri and her father, Ashok Chopra, who died in 2013.
After completing the shoot of Quantico season one and her debut Hollywood film, Baywatch, Priyanka had reached Mumbai on May 27 to attend to her commitments here. “However, after receiving the sad news, she has suspended all work, including brand shoots and script narrations, for a few days,” informs a source.
