A brief tribute to the King of Romance Yash Chopra, by Mohan Siroya, my dear friend, mentor and guide
Yash Chopra ---- More than an ICON and Legend of Film Industry No More
( 27 Sept. 1932—21 Oct. 2012 )
His admirers called him by various adjectives . “King Of Romance” , “Box Office Magician’ , “Film Maker Par Excellence” , “Astute Businessman” --- so on and so forth. And all these nomenclatures were true for the film maker called Yash Raj Chopra . He not ony learnt the ropes of film art and box office success from his elder brother late BR Chopra whom he regarded as his father figure and Guru , who gave him his directorial debut film in sensitive “ Dhool ka Phool” ( 1989)and a multi starrer box office smasher “Waqt” which still remains a landmark in Hindi films. Since then Yashji ( as fondly called by all ) not only went on directing 23 films ( Including his yet to be released swan song “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” and produced 54 films so far since he started his own Banner Yashraj Films. This, it self is an all time record for any Indian Film maker . And beauty of this was that most of his films were commercial hits , earning him a title of “ Crowned Film King” during his fifty plus film career.
Naturally awards and laurels were just common for him, besides the national honour of Padma Bhushan and the only Indian Film maker after Ray, to have been conferred the ‘Honorary Life membership of BAFTA. He celebrated his last 80 th Birth day on last 27 th Sept. when the King Khan ( Shahrukh) and a big admirer of Yashji, took his special interview for channels when many new dimesions of his life and career were revealed. That time none could imagine that he will leave us for ever within one month, especially when he has been keeping good health , active life and pursuing with vigour the copmpetion of his latest romantic ever saga of “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” which he had declared as his last directorial venture. But then, the cruel destiny plays its tricks un noticed. We could never imagine that a bout of “Dengue” may prove fatal for this film legend, which snatched him from us this evening . Shocking, unbelievable but true.
AS for my personal association with him, that goes beyond 30 years. As a leader and socialite of film industry ,he was present in almost all events and we always exchanged cordial greetings. For my book “Golden Sojourn in Bollywood Wonderland”, I wanted him to write his blessings by way of a “FOREWARD” . He had graciously expressed his willingness, to fix up a time when we spoke at the ‘Chuatha ceremony of late Prakash Mehra, in spite of his extreme busy schedule. Unfortunately during that particular time, his secretary conveyed me his non- availability for a long time as he was out of country.
His few gems of movies and mile stones, both directed and produced are : “Waqt”, “Deewar” “Darr”, “Chandni”,” “Kabhie Kabhie”,Dil To Pagal Hai” “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, “Mohabbattein” “ Dhoom” and now to be released “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”. But in my esteem, his creation of the film “Lamhe” will remain unsurpassed conceptually and otherwise in film scripting, dialogues and direction.
Just today at 2-30 p.m. during Mumbai Film Fest, myself and Yashji's one time protégée film director Ramesh Talwar were discussing the media report of 'Financial Crisis" faced by his late brother BR Chopra's family and how far Yashji will be able to help them come out to save the legendary BR House. Imagine our shock when just within hours we learnt the shocking news of his sad demise.
Long live the Cinema of Yash Chopra and Let his soul Rest In Peace . Amen !
.jpg "A Gumnam Actress Strips Nude to Protest Auto/taxi Fare Hike")
