Remembering Yash Chopra, the legendary filmmaker on his 91st birth anniversary (27/09/32).
Remembering Yash Chopra, the legendary filmmaker on his 91st birth anniversary (27/09/32). Yash Raj Chopra (27 September 1932–21 October 2012) was a renowned Indian film director and producer in Hindi cinema. He was the visionary founder of Yash Raj Films, earning numerous accolades including 6 National Film Awards and 8 Filmfare Awards. Celebrated for his romantic films featuring strong female characters, Chopra’s significant contributions to cinema were recognized with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001, the Padma Bhushan in 2005, and a lifetime membership from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 2006, making him the first Indian recipient.
Chopra’s cinematic journey began as an assistant director before making his directorial debut with Dhool Ka Phool in 1959. He gained fame with the successful family drama Waqt (1965), pioneering the concept of ensemble casts in Bollywood. In 1970, he established Yash Raj Films, marking its inception with Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), a melodrama about polygamy. The 1970s saw Chopra creating iconic films like Deewaar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), and Trishul (1978), solidifying Amitabh Bachchan’s status as a leading Bollywood actor. Chopra’s collaboration with Sridevi in Chandni (1989) and Lamhe (1991) is considered among his finest works, with Chandni revitalizing the romantic musical genre in Bollywood.
Despite the domestic underperformance of Lamhe, it garnered substantial overseas profits. After a brief setback with Parampara (1993), Chopra bounced back with the musical psychological thriller Darr (1993), marking the beginning of his successful partnership with Shahrukh Khan. This collaboration produced romantic hits like Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer-Zaara (2004), and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012). Chopra announced his retirement in 2012 and tragically passed away during the production of Jab Tak Hai Jaan due to dengue fever. His legacy as one of Bollywood’s greatest directors endures.
