Mannara Chopra is slowly returning to work after the untimely demise of her father, Advocate Raman Rai Handa, who passed away on June 16 this year. In her first conversation since the tragedy, the actress opens up about the emotional turmoil she went through and how therapy and family support helped her cope.

She admits that processing the loss was overwhelming and filled with unanswered questions. “It was very difficult for me to process it. It’s also because I’m not just an emotional person but I am overtly emotional about everything. So, I had so many questions in my mind, like when he was here in Mumbai, why this happened and how come when this happened, I was there in Delhi. I was going through an emotional turmoil. But it’s always been the case that I believe that work is one thing which has really led my life," she tells us.

Talking about how she sought help, Mannara says therapy became an essential tool to get through her darkest days. “I would not deny from the fact that I had to go through a lot of therapy to be able to cope up with the loss. I remember a lot of my friends were even trying to reach me at that point of time and I kind of faded. I didn’t really meet anybody after that. The therapies really helped. And I realized I’ve grown up, I am a responsible person, earning for myself, earning for my family, taking care of my mother," she reflects.

The actress reveals that the experience changed the way she looks at people and relationships. “Apart from that, I also started valuing my relationship out of work because I think I’ve always been a very workaholic person. I value my friendships a little more and I value my relatives… because I think they were the ones, there with us, holding us," she states.

She adds, "I’m still navigating through grief. I still have so many thoughts in my head. I believe that what is bound to happen will happen... Sometimes you feel, I have not done enough for my parents in terms of giving them time, because you’re working. Now when I meet people, I tell them, you should spend time with your family. I have learned that life is very short."

What finally gave her strength to return to work, Mannara shares, was a powerful dream. “One day I just got a dream where my father only said, 'Now you return back to your work'. From that day onwards I’ve only been concentrating on my work," she concludes.

Actor Mannara Chopra lost her father, Raman Rai Handa, who died at the age of 72 on June 16. The actor shared the news via an Instagram Story, along with an official statement and details of the funeral.

“With profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad demise of our loving father who left us for his heavenly abode on 16/06/2025. He was the pillar of strength for our family,” read the statement issued by the family.

Raman, a lawyer at the Delhi High Court, is survived by his wife Kamini Chopra Handa and daughters Mannara and Mitali. The cremation will take place on June 18 at 1 pm at the Crematorium Ground in Amboli, Andheri West, Mumbai.

According to reports, Raman had been unwell for the past few days due to undisclosed reasons. Paying tribute, actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her brother Siddharth Chopra — who are related to the family through their paternal aunt Kamini Chopra — remembered him fondly on social media. “You’ll always be in our hearts. Rest easy, Raman uncle (fufaji). Om Shanti,”

Priyanka wrote in a heartfelt note on her Instagram Story. Siddharth also reshared Mannara’s statement and added, “Will miss you Raman uncle.”