MUMBAI: The Indian film industry was enveloped into a wave of grief late Sunday when veteran film-maker and King of Romance Yash Chopra, who rewrote the definition of love, relationship and family values in Bollywood, passed away.
Since one week, he was being treated for dengue at the Lilavati Hospital at Bandra. Later, his body was brought to Yash Raj Studios in Andheri to pay last respects. The last rites were to be held today at 3 pm in Pawanhans crematorium. Chopra is survived by wife Pamela and two sons Aditya and Uday.
Over his 53 years long and illustrious film career, he gave several iconic films like Waqt, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhi, Chandni, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Veer Zaara, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge and many more to the movie lovers. A good plot or storyline was not the only reason behind his success, he had a good sense of music which equally played an important role in his movies.
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Some of the evergreen melodies from his films include Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen, Dekha Ek Khwab, Rang Barse Bhige Chunar wali, Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein, Chandni O Meri Chandni, Bholi Si Surat, Dholna, and Tujhe Dekha To amongst others.
Aged 80, Chopra has been recipient of several honours which included six National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards. In 2001, Government of India honoured him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award followed by the ‘Padma Bhushan’ title in 2005 for his contributions towards Indian cinema. BAFTA presented him with a lifetime membership for his contribution to the films, making him the first Indian to receive the honour in the 59-year history of the academy.
Born in Lahore on 27 September 1932, Chopra began his career as an assistant director and made his directorial debut with ‘Dhool Ka Phool’ in 1959. He rose to fame in 1965 after the commercial and critical success of ‘Waqt’, which pioneered the concept of multi-starrers in Bollywood. In 1973, Chopra founded his own production company, Yash Raj Films, with the launch of ‘Daag: A Poem of Love’.
Chopra also witnessed a dud period in his life, but rose like a phoenix with ‘Chandni’ thus beginning his journey of making romantic Hindi films. The huge success of its music was instrumental in ending the era of violence and bringing back music into Hindi films.
He was credited not only for offering romantic movies or music but for also introducing two legendary actors the ‘Shahenshah’ and the ‘Badshah’ of Bollywood – Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan. During his career, he worked extensively with both Bachchan and Khan. On losing their father figure, the legends took to social networking sites to express their condolences.
Bachchan tweeted, “They have all gone one by one … no one of substance left to recreate those days when Yash Chopra started ….
energy, verve, passion. Just back from his studio where he lies still and motionless. This was the first time I ever saw him on his back in 44 yrs !! Yash Chopra – 44 years of association .. Of creativity, friendship, fun and family ties .. Each moment so vivid even now .. gone!! I never ever thought there would come a day when I would have to say – ‘Yash Chopra no more’ .. He went away too soon!!”
Khan also took to twitter and stated, “Whenever my loved ones depart…I feel a part of me extinguishes itself with them. Will there come a day……that I will no longer have a bit of myself to let go of? And then the thought follows…that every time they have taken some of me…..with them onto their last journey , I have found a fragment of them left inside me too…I will always have some love to give….and I will always be both emptied and replenished by the loved ones I lose. I keep you w?th me Yash j? and I miss you too Yashj?…lots.”
With his forthcoming release Jab Tak Hai Jaan starring Khan, Chopra was supposed to take retirement from the industry. The movie also witnesses the first ever collaboration of the mogul and music maestro AR Rahman. Sharing his experiences, Rahman addressed at an event, “Yashji saw one of my concerts in London, we invited him. He felt that I should give music in his film. It was kind enough of him to call me.
It is a great honour for me. I had not worked with him and now my whole thing…Meaning career wise is complete.”
The music Industry, along with Radioandmusic.com, salutes the genius and pays tribute to his work:
Javed Akhtar: “It was always a pleasure to work with such a pleasant man. Whoever Yashji worked with, he would always sculpt the untapped talents of those artistes. He would encourage artistes for better work and in return artistes would also do their best. We have worked together since early 70’s for the movies like Deewar, Trishul, Veer-Zaara and it was great pleasure and had the sense of contentment and happiness. Not only for the young talents but also for veterans and sincere artistes, it is a huge loss. Yashji was someone whose suggestion everyone tend to listen so with his death it’s a huge loss and we feel like a huge support system is gone.”
Kailash Kher: “He was one of the pillars of Indian cinema, an institution who taught us the entire spectrum of cinema and about larger than life expressions of human emotions without the melodrama.
He believed in music and his choice of music and musicians was amazing. He was the one who used classical musicians like Shri Kumar Sharma and Hari Prasad Chaurasia for popular films. He was not only a creator; he was also a great human being. I met him many times and he always responded with love. He showed his greatness when he could treat a singer like me, with only nine years in the industry, as his equal and shower me with love.”
Lalit Pandit: “I can remember so many instances of Yashji that showed his love for music. He showed his passion for music during the process- you only had to understand what he said and he brought out your passion for music. When visualizing a song, he would look up in his unique way as he imagined how a song would look like. He had another wonderful quality of respecting the technicians. The film and music will suffer an immense loss because he was a master painter. It will lose the beautiful colour of music that he provided. He had a flair for picturising the song. If you watch ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ it has his stamp all over. I don’t think anyone can replace him.”
Kumar Sanu: “Yash Chopra was one of the most romantic directors and producers of the film industry. I sang only one song for ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ so I didn’t have too much of a personal experience with him, but he was a musical man and I consider his demise a big loss for the film industry.”
Salim Merchant: “Can’t say much, as it’s a huge loss. I feel like I lost my father.”
Rabbi Shergill: “He was the classiest and the most graciously giving person in the film industry. He gave a lot to the industry through his epic films and timeless music.”
Kavita Krishnamurthy: “He was a legendary figure, producer and director in the film industry. His films comprised of impeccable music and the songs went beautifully with the story the way he picturised them. Chopraji was a magician and I had a good fortune to work with him in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum. I remember him as a very quiet and polite man who inspired all of us. It is truly a huge loss for us.”
Aadesh Shrivastava: “Yash Chopra was like a God and father to me and the entire film industry. I worked with him in many films like Damini, Darr and Lamhe as a musician and composer and learnt a lot from him. I was close to him in many ways and deeply mourn his loss.”
