Yash Chopra Shares his Cinematic Journey


Mumbai, Sep 28 (IANS): Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra, who turned 80 Thursday, talked about his journey in the show business with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a heart-to-heart televised chat.

Chopra said his family wanted him to become an engineer but he knew he wanted to direct films.

"My mother said do what your heart says. She gave me Rs.200 and said my blessings are with you. Go ahead and don't worry," recalled Chopra, who is about to release a new film, "Jab Tak Hai Jaan", starring Shah Rukh, in November.

Shah Rukh, who was the interviewer, made Yash Chopra sing: "Oh meri zohra jabin..." from his 1965 film, "Waqt".

Chopra said his elder brother, B.R. Chopra, was like a father figure.

"This was the most emotional phase of my life. B.R. Chopra is my father, guru, guide. And I'm sitting here just because of B.R. Chopra and no one else. I wanted to fly on my own wings," he said.

It was not easy to start a production house, Yash Raj Films, independently in 1971, he said.

Shah Rukh said Chopra was one of the few directors who made two superhit films simultaneously-- "Deewar" (1975) and "Kabhi Kabhi" (1976).

"Till today, 'Deewar' was one script which was flawless. I thought Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor were best for the film. They were punctual and I could depend on them," said Chopra.

"'Kabhi Kabhi' was the most enjoyable film I have made. It was like a picnic," he said.

Chopra, who made "Silsila" with an ensemble cast in 1981, said it was ahead of its times, even though the original casting was different.

"I wanted Parveen Babi for the role Rekha played and Smita Patil for Jaya's role. But when I met Amitabh and told him about the cast, he asked me if I was sure."

During teh chat, Chopra also discussed his flop films like "Vijay" (1988).

"When I was making 'Vijay', I was making films just to be successful and not from my heart and I knew I was making the wrong kind of films. I decided to make a hardcore romantic film with nine songs and this is how I thought of 'Chandini' (1989)," he said.

Chopra then began his next romantic film era with superhits such as "Darr" (1993), "Dil Toh Pagal Hai" (1997) and "Veer-Zara" (2004).

  

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Comment on this article

  • R.Bhandarkar., M

    Fri, Sep 28 2012

    Hmm -200 Rs from Mom and her blessingsjust have a look at his place in Juhu today! I tell you it must have been a very very hard journey the fruits of which he and his family are enjoying now! From an absolute non entity
    in the film industry, helped by his brother and to remain as the Top Hindi Film Production House in the country for decades is no joke.Hard work and dedication really pays.
    Except for some controversies with a few heroines the Yash Raj banner has seen the rise and even the fall of many a Star but has remained at the pinnacle through out- Yashji indeed should be a role model for future producer-directors of the Bollywood industry...

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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