Iconic filmmaker Yash Chopra, who was known as Hindi cinema’s “King of Romance” and also made some memorable action films like Deewar, died here on Sunday following dengue infection and multiple organ failure. Chopra, 80, whose upcoming and last film was titled Jab Tak Hain Jaan, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital here on October 13 with dengue. He is survived by wife Pamela and two sons, filmmaker Aditya Chopra and actor-producer Uday Chopra. The veteran producer-director had attended Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday party with wife Pamela on October 10. It was Chopra’s Deewar which established Bachchan as the “angry young man”. Although he made different kinds of films in the course of his five-
decade career, Chopra is today known mostly for his romantic films like Silsila, Chandni, Dilwale Duhania Le Jayenge, Mohabbatein and Veer Zara. On his 80th birthday on September 27, Chopra, who directed his first film Dhool Ka Phool way back in 1959, announced retirement from direction. The term “Yash Chopra romance” is used to typify the kind of romantic films the filmmaker gave birth to in Bollywood. Chopra has won several film awards, including six National Film Awards. Born in Lahore to a Punjabi family on September 27, 1932, Chopra moved to India after Partition. His original plan was to pursue a career in engineering. But his passion for filmmaking led him to travel to Mumbai, where he initially worked as an assistant director to I S Johar, and then for his director-producer brother B R Chopra. Encouraged by the success of his films, the Chopra brothers made several more movies together during the late ’50s and ’60s. 
Chopra rose to fame in 1965 after the commercially and critically successful drama, Waqt, which pioneered the concept of multi-starrers in Bollywood. In 1973, Chopra founded his own production company, Yash Raj Films, and launched it with Daag: A Poem of Love with the hit onscreen pair of Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna. However, in the ’80s several films he directed and produced failed to leave a mark at the box office, notably Mashaal and Vijay. But Chopra rose like the phoenix with the commercially and critically successful film Chandni, thus beginning his journey of making romantic Hindi films. He then directed and produced the cult classic Lamhe in 1991. 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). Shah Rukh has also been a part of films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995),
Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Mohabbatein (2000) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), which were produced by Chopra’s Yash Raj banner. 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: (1) Amitabh Bachchan @SrBachchan, T 906 - Yash Chopra passes away .. (2) 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. (3) Mahesh Bhatt @MaheshNBhatt, (4) Heartbreaking news Yash Chopra passes away! (6) Narendra Modi @narendramodi (7) 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. (8) Suresh Raina @ImRaina (9) 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 (10) Lara Dutta Bhupathi @DuttaLara (11) All I ever really knew of Hindi films began with Yash uncles brand of cinema. RIP Yash Chopra ji. Will miss you terribly. (12) yuvraj singh @YUVSTRONG12 (13) Sad to hear about mr yash chopra! May his soul rest in peace (14) Bipasha Basu @bipsluvurself (15) 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. (16) 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... Source: Indian Express
