When Yash Chopra said that he will be bidding adieu to direction after 'Jab Tak hai Jaan', I comforted myself that he will at least be around to produce and guide the younger crop of directors and teach them lessons in romance. The news of his death yesterday not only shocked me but millions or rather billions of his fans and followers nationwide. A man who chose not to be an engineer (unlike me ) and followed his heart to become on of the true legends of Indian cinema. With a lump in my throat whilst still mourning along with the whole country let me take you through the journey of this amazing gentleman who taught me and everyone else "What a woman wants".
Born in Lahore, British India to a Punjabi Family and was the youngest of eight children.
Moved to Jalandhar to continue with his education to pursue a career in engineering.
His passion for film making leads him to bombay, the pot pouri of India where at first he works under I.S Johar and then under his legendary brother B.R Chopra.
Makes his directorial debut with 'Dhool ka Phool' starring Mala Sinha, Rajendra Kumar and Leela Chitnis. This film was well recieved by critics and became the fourth highest grossing film of the year.
Directed a hard hitting socio-political drama 'Dharmaputra' marking the late Kaka's debut. This movie was awarded the National award for the best feature film in Hindi. But the screenings of the film was disturbed with violent demonstrations against the plot which led him to never make a political film again.
Continued his good run with multi starrer waqt.
Founded Yash Raj Films in 1971 terminating the creative collaboration with his brother. Daag was the first film under this banner which was also a commercial success.
Started his cult partnership with amitabh bachan with deewar, many moview of this wonderful partnership folllowed. These were the movies which established sr. bachan as a star.
After a lean phase in the early 1980's makes chadni which became the hallmark of the "Yash Chopra" style and inturn established sreedevi as one of the leading contemporary actresses of Bollywood. This movie also ended an era of violence in Hindi movies and staretd a era of great music.
Directed Lamhe which was the most successful overseas Indian movie of that time. This movie later on became a cult classic and was featured in outlook magazine's list of all-time great hindi movies. This was one of Yash Chopra ji's personal favorites.
Directed newcomer Shahrukh Khan along with Juhi Chawla and Sunny Deol in Darr which also became a cult classic and established Khan as a bankable star. He was also instrumental in the making of DDLJ which established Khan as the "King of Romance".
Directed the love triangle "Dil toh Pagal hai" with Shahrukh, Madhuri and Karishma as leads (one of my personal favorites) and strengthened Sharukh's position in bollywood.
Took an eight year sabbatical from direction ad started mentoring young directors under the YRF Banner.
Made his directorial comeback with 'Veer Zara' an age-gap love story starring Shahrukh, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee which beacme the highest grossing movie of the year in India and overseas.
Announced his retirement from direction with 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' on the ocassion of his 80th birthday.
Passed away on 21st october 2012 at 5.30pm due to complicattions that arised due to dengue.
When people call him "The King of Romance", I disagree with them,.He was not the King, he was the Kingmaker or rather the God who created kings along the journey of his 53 year old movie career . From Kaka to Khan he worked with them all. And a sari-clad Katrina romancing King Khan in Jab Tak Hai Jan sumps it up - The concept of Romance - "Losing oneself in the eternal beauty of a Woman robed in the glory of nature"
Long live Yash Chopra...Long live Romance
Jab tak hai Jaan....Tab tak hai Romance...Tab tak hai Yash Chopra .
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Truly,
SlightlyDrunk
