Asian Mail
Mumbai: In the Indian film industry, BR Chopra will be remembered as a filmmaker who made a mark in the hearts of viewers.
He was born on April 22, 1914 in the city of Ludhiana, Punjab, BR Chopra aka Baldev Roy Chopra wanted to reach the heights of fame by working in films since his childhood.
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He graduated from Government College Lahore in English Literature.
He started his career as a film journalist. He used to write analysis of films in the film magazine ‘Cine Herald’.
In 1951, he directed the film Afsana starring Ashok Kumar. This film celebrated silver jubilee at the box office and he was able to make his mark in the film industry.
In 1955, BR Chopra made the first film ‘Naya Daur’ under the banner of BR Films, through which he presented the clash between modern era and rural culture on the silver screen, which was well appreciated by the audience. The film set new records of success.
If we look at the films made under his banner, most of the films he always wanted to give something new to the audience.
BR Chopra has been instrumental in bringing his brother and famous producer Yash Chopra to the heights of fame.
BR Chopra, who brought famous singer Asha Bhonsle to the heights of success, has played an important role. In the fifties, when Asha Bhonsle was only getting a chance to sing in B and C grade films, he recognized Asha’s talent and gave her a chance to sing in his film ‘Naya Daur’, the first super hit of her film career. In the voice of Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhonsle of this film, ‘Maang Ke Saath Tuhar, Ude Jab Jab Zulfeen Teri’, the song became very popular among the audience.
After the success of the film ‘Naya Daur’, Asha Bhonsle got her rightful place after which she got the opportunity to sing in many of her films. Apart from Asha Bhonsle, he has played an important role in establishing the famous singer Mahendra Kapoor in the film industry.
BR Chopra stopped making films in the eighties due to ill health. In 1985, he turned to the small screen and made ‘Mahabharat’, the most successful serial in the history of Doordarshan so far. This serial has also registered its name in the Guinness Book of World Records with reaching almost 96% viewership.
In 1998, BR Chopra was honored with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the Top Grandfather of Hindi Cinema. Apart from this, he also won the Filmfare Award for Best Director in 1960 for the film ‘Kaan’.
Apart from film production, he also wrote the story of films like ‘Baghbaan Aur Babal’. BR Chopra, who created a special identity among the audience through his films, left this world on November 5, 2008.
(Courtesy Wikipedia)
