Priyanka Chopra’s Mom Shares Her Beloved DIY Mehendi Hair Mask

When you scroll through Instagram on a lazy Sunday, you might stumble upon a video of a spry 73‑year‑old woman mixing powders, oils, and a smile that says, “I’ve got this.” That’s Dr Madhu Chopra – a cosmetologist with four decades of experience and the proud mother of actress‑producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

In the clip she shared on her Instagram story, Madhu explains a simple, home‑crafted hair treatment that’s been part of her weekend ritual for years. She calls it a “DIY mehendi hair mask,” and, according to her, it’s the secret behind her “stronger, softer and nourished” strands.

The recipe is straightforward, almost kitchen‑like. You start with a tablespoon of pure henna (mehendi) powder – the reddish‑brown plant that’s been used for centuries to colour hair and skin. To that you add a splash of Adiwasi oil, a few drops of rosemary essential oil, and a teaspoon of castor oil. Mix everything until you get a smooth paste, then apply it liberally from roots to tips.

Madhu recommends leaving the mask on for about an hour. She says the time lets the henna’s natural conditioning agents seep into each strand. After the hour, she doesn’t rinse straight away. Instead, she massages a warm blend of the same oils into her hair for an extra half‑hour, letting the oils moisturise the shaft and the roots without smothering the scalp.

When the treatment is done, a gentle shampoo and a cool rinse are enough to reveal glossy, noticeably softer hair. “I keep the oil on for half an hour. It is going to moisturise my hair, the shaft, the roots, and not my scalp,” she says in the video, chuckling at the simplicity of it all.

The story first surfaced on News18’s Lifestyle desk on July 21, 2026, and was quickly picked up by NDTV and a handful of other Indian entertainment portals. Both outlets quoted Madhu’s exact ingredients and timing, confirming that the Instagram post was indeed the source of the hype.

Of course, there’s no scientific study attached to the mixture, and the benefits are, at this point, anecdotal – essentially Madhu’s personal testimony after years of trial and error. Still, many of her followers reported “softer” and “less frizz” after trying it, so the buzz is very much alive.

If you’re curious, the mask is cheap to make, uses items you can find at most Indian grocery stores, and doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals. Just remember to do a patch test first – henna can sometimes cause mild irritation, especially if you have a sensitive scalp.

Whether you’re after a little extra shine or simply love the idea of a natural, oil‑rich hair‑care routine, Madhu’s mehendi mask might just be worth a weekend experiment. After all, if the mother of one of Hollywood’s most beloved Indian stars trusts it, perhaps it’s time to give it a go yourself.