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Chopra, who was admitted to hospital on October 13, is survived by wife Pamela and two sons, filmmaker Aditya Chopra and actor-producer Uday Chopra.
His last film, the Shah Rukh Khan-Katrina Kaif-Anushka Sharma starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan is set to release on November 13. On his 80th birthday celebrations last month, Chopra had announced his retirement from direction.
In a career spanning close to 53 years, Chopra directed 22 films. A master storyteller, he made his directorial debut in 1959 with Dhool Ka Phool, a film based on illegitimacy. He went on to make songless thrillers like Iteffaq, social dramas like Dharamputra, brooding action dramas like Deewar and Trishul, and multi-starrers like Waqt. However, Chopra is today known mostly for his romantic films like Kabhie Kabhie, Silsila, Chandni, Lamhe, Darr, Dil Toh Pagal Hai and Veer Zara.
Born in Lahore on September 27, 1932, Chopra moved to India after Partition. His original plan was to go to London to study engineering, but his love for cinema saw him working as an assistant director to I S Johar, and later for his director-producer brother B R Chopra.
In 1973, Chopra established his own banner, Yash Raj Films, and launched it with Daag: A Poem of Love with Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore and Rakhee.
Chopra won six National Film Awards. He was also honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
As a filmmaker, Chopra never feared to walk the unconventional path. His take on man-woman relationships wasn’t just reserved for a walk around the trees. He addressed different hues of love — ranging from the infatuated to the obsessive, extra-marital, eternal and cross-border.
His collaboration with the top male stars of their time led to many blockbluster hits. He brought back Rajesh Khanna with Daag. He created the brooding angry young man image for Amitabh Bachchan in Deewar and Trishul, and later re-invented Bachchan as a lover boy in films like Kabhie Kabhie and Silsila.
His association with Shah Rukh Khan began with the 1993 romantic psychological thriller film Darr, which turned out to be a superhit. Since then, Chopra has directed three more romantic films, all starring Khan — Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer Zaara (2004) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) — establishing the actor as the modern-day lover boy for Indian cinema.
Chopra’s cinematic vision and business acumen made Yash Raj Films the country’s leading film production company. His dream was to make a world-class film studio, and he was very happy to have achieved it.
After watching Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge directed by son Aditya, Chopra famously said, “I am reassured that the future of Yash Raj Films is in safe hands.”
Bollywood Bytes
Juhi Chawla
I am so shocked to hear of his sudden demise. I met him the other day at Amitabh Bachchanji's birthday party and he was joking with me for so long. Getting to work in a Yashji film was the greatest achievement of my life. I had worked in Aaina, a movie produced by the banner, but when Yashji called me for Darr, I was overwhelmed. On Yashji's set everything was so organised. He had a bound script and he knew exactly what he wanted from his actors.
Sridevi
I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of Yashji's passing away. He was so full of warmth and affection whenever we met. He will be missed forever.
Kirron Kher
Mr Chopra has been family to us ever since Anupam started working in the industry. He would often have his tea and breakfast at their house even until recently. Losing him has been like losing the hand of an elder that is always on your head in a way of blessing. But the loss will be greatest for Pamela, his wife, who has been by his side throughout - they would always travel together, be together. It is tragic that he couldn't see the release of his last movie.
Anil Kapoor
It is a great loss to everyone that Yashji is no more. An entire chapter in the history of Indian cinema is over. I have had the privilege to work with him in his films as well as those under his banner. He was a man of versatility. My films with him, Vijay, Mashaal and Lamhe, have all been different. Some of his films were way ahead of their time, especially Lamhe. A subject like that, if addressed today, may have worked. That was his vision.
Vinod Khanna
I am taken aback by this sad news. One of the few filmmakers with the ability to transcend across time, I have been lucky to have worked with him. Right from the early days, one aspect I admired about him always was his interest in all kinds of cinema. He would keep himself informed of various filmmakers across India and abroad. Maybe this is why he could make films on subjects and themes that were contemporary and sometimes taboo also.
Kajol
I am truly shocked. I don't know how to react or what to say. He was a true veteran and an era is over with his passing. He will be missed.
Tweets
Amitabh Bachchan @SrBachchan
T 906 - Yash Chopra passes away .. Just now a hour ago ..
Ali Zafar @AliZafarsays
I am in shock. Yash Chopra jee passed away ? What a man. What a loss :( can never forget his warmth, encouragement and humility.
Mahesh Bhatt @MaheshNBhatt
Heartbreaking news Yash Chopra passes away!
Narendra Modi @narendramodi
Yash Chopra ji made a mark as an excellent film maker. Indian film industry & movie lovers will truly miss him. May his soul rest in peace.
Suresh Raina @ImRaina
The film maker of all times ..shri Yash chopra passes away ..another legend is no more ..a very big loss to creativity ..god bless his soul
Lara Dutta Bhupathi @DuttaLara
All I ever really knew of Hindi films began with Yash uncles brand of cinema. RIP Yash Chopra ji. Will miss you terribly.
yuvraj singh @YUVSTRONG12
Sad to hear about mr yash chopra! May his soul rest in peace
Bipasha Basu @bipsluvurself
We lost the iconic,inspiring n always smiling Yash Chopra today.Saddened and shocked by this news.He will be missed forever.RIP Yash Uncle.
sushmita sen @thesushmitasen
Mr. Yash Chopra..a legend of love and love stories passes away :( my condolences to all his loved ones. Deeply saddened. Rest in Peace Sir...
Yashji....even though you have leaves forever...you will not forget even for one thousand years from now..you are true legend in bollywood cinema..i pray for god for your soul rest in peace....goodbye yashji...
Yesh chopra was agreat director of all times.He was a king of Romance and we shall miss him when ever people will watch romantic films rather i would say its now the end of romantic pictures. Great loss to the film industry.
A magician who understood the young generations,their hearts,their feelings so positively... is missing today....I wonder how can a person understands the hearts of people so well....I SALUTE TO YASH CHOPRA FOR DOING SO FOR YEARS...REST IN PEACE YOU ARE THE KOHINOOR OF CINEMA......THANKS FOR GIVING US JAB TAK HAI JAAN AS YOUR LAST MEMORY............
Yash Chopra had set the trend in indian film industry ... He made the superstars by his creativity like Amitabh and Shah Rukh Khan... I like his movies Kabhi Kabhi, Deewar,Silsila Mashal Dar Dil to pagal Hai Veer Zaara ... these were the classic movies ... God give this great man peace and rest.
A great entertainer. I have seen all his films that too many times still the hunger of viewing his films is not over. He will be remembered as one of the greatest directors of Hindi film industry.One more thing - how the dengue could not be diagonised earlier whether it is lack of good doctors in so called prestigious Lilawati hospital or was lapse some where else. Should be probed.
Only poverty sticken slum dwellers are general victims of dengue. Un believable that a rich man died in one of the best hospital in Mumbai because of dengue.
MR YASH CHOPRA CONTRIBUTION ,,,,IS UNDENIED ,,,,BUT KING OF ROMANCE ....IS EXAGGERATION,,,,,IF STANDARDS OF ROMANTICISM IS MEASURE,,,,??
With the untimely passing away of Yash Chopra, it is the end of the romantic erain the Indian film industry. Yash Chopra will be remembered for his Punjabi touch in the film songs. May his soul rest in peace.
Although it is always sad if someone leave us forever, but if someone is going at a ripe age of 80, it is not a loss because he gave us everything which he could. Moreover "The king of Romance" was never considered as a serious or good creator, all his work was mediocre, I remember watching Kabhi-Kabhi, while a good poetry was being played, the camera was busy showing boobs of Rakhi. It was simply ridiculous and any Great director would have handled the scene artistically.
Unbelievable.... the death of a great film maker n the maker of great heroes...AB n SRK... Eagerly awaiting the release of JTHJ...Sure it will be a stupendous success.... Sad such a great legend had to fall prey to dengue...Very cruel of God... May His Soul Rest in PEACE.
What about Malaria which is also a vector-borne disease? Thousands die every year in rural and tribal areas in Malaria in country especially in Odisha and North-East. Where should these people complaint against mosquitoes?
Veteran , Legend Director Mr Yash Chopra is no more but his memories of hit Films and songs directed by him are still alive in the minds of his admirers . Really a great personality and a director who always gave flavor of Punjabi touch in his Film Songs .
The sudden demise of Yash Chopra Legend Director has really shocked the Film Industry .Mr Chopra has directed many hits and given chance to many new entrance actors in his Films . Being a Punjabi it is a great Loss to Punjab as in his Films he always gave a flavor of Punjabi Folk Music in the songs of his Films .
Dengue caused by mosquitoes, which are having a field day in Mumbai. His family members should file a case against Bombay Municipal Corporation for causing his death. What a loss due to negligence of few corrupt felllow ?
