A Dream Merchant – Who Sold Love!

We are week away from the release of “Jab Tak Hai Jahan”, Yash Chopra’s last work. I was travelling when I came to know about his sad demise. I am not a big film buff but I am certainly a fan of most his work. He was one of the rare gentleman and great human being that we could found in a place like Bollywood, other name came to my mind was the late Balraj Sahani. It will be unfair if I doesn’t pay a little tribute to him.

Yash Chopra was born on 27 September 1932 in Lahore. He was a film journalist but then initially worked as an assistant director to I. S. Johar, and then for his director-producer brother, B. R. Chopra. Chopra received his first directorial opportunity in 1959 with the social drama Dhool Ka Phool, produced by his elder B   .R. Chopra. Yash Chopra made another hard-hitting social drama, Dharmputra,  which was one of the first films to depict the partition of India and Hindu fundamentalism. The film marked the debut of Shashi Kapoor in a fully fledged role and was awarded with the National award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. Theatrical screenings of the film were disrupted by violent demonstrations in response to its raw depiction of the partition riots and related sloganeering. 

Chopra's collaboration with his brother continued in the form of the 1965 film Waqt, the film became a commercial and a critical success. One of his best work was 'Ittefaq',  a suspense movie based on a Gujarati play, depicting the events of a single night with Rajesh Khanna in the lead role. Shot in a month and on a low budget, the film was deemed unusual by critics as it was one of the first Hindi films which did not have any songs or an interval. it was eventually declared a semi-hit at the box office and won Chopra another Filmfare award for best director. In my opinion it was the one of his best work.

In 1971, Chopra founded Yash Raj Films, thus terminating the creative collaboration between him and his brother. His first independently produced film Daag. He then made a number of classic cult films starring Amitabh Bachchan and scripted by Salim-Javed notably Deewaar and Trishul which were great hits and remain popular even today. These films set the trend for the late 70s and 80s, establishing Bachchan as a superstar, in his role as the angry young man. Chopra won yet another Filmfare Best Director Award for Deewaar. Chopra produced, directed and scripted two more films starring Bachchan, unlike his earlier action oriented films, the two cinematic outings were romantic dramas, First, it was Kabhi Kabhie in 1976 followed by Silsila in 1981. Chopra was responsible in shaping Shah Rukh Khan's career. He made Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, Veer Zaara and last one Jab Tak Hai Jahan with Shah Rukh Khan. Yash Chopra was known to often cast the same actors in his films. His most famous collaborations being with Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and more recently Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukherji.

My personal choices are Ittefaq, Chandni, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie  and Trishul.

Filmography

As Director :

Dhool Ka Phool, Dharmputra, Waqt, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Ittefaq, Daag, Joshila, Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Kaala Patthar, Silsila, Mashaal, Faasle, Vijay, Chandni, Lamhe, Parampara, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, Veer-Zaara, Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

As Producer :

Daag, Kabhi Kabhie, Doosra Aadmi, Trishul, Noorie, Kaala Pathar, Silsila, Nakhuda, Sawaal. Mashaal, Faasle, Vijay, Chandni, Lamhe, Darr, Aaina, Yeh Dillagi, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Mohabbatein, Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Saathiya, Hum Tum, Dhoom, Veer-Zaara, Bunty Aur Babli, Salaam Namaste, Neal N Nikki, Fanaa, Dhoom 2, Kabul Express, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Chak De India, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Aaja Nachle, Tashan, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Roadside Romeo, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, New York, Dil Bole Hadippa, Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, Pyaar Impossible, Band Baaja Baaraat, Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, Ishaqzaade, Ek Tha Tiger, Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

!!!Hope his family carry on his legacy with same dedication and conviction!!!