- BR Chopra's Perfect Paradise #1 -

Baldev Raj Chopra (B.R. Chopra) (21 April 1924 – 5 November 2008)^[1] was an Indian director and producer of Bollywood movies and television serials. Most known for Hindi social films like Naya Daur (1957), Kanoon (1961), Gumrah (1963) and Humraz (1967), plus the mega TV Series, Mahabharat in the late 1980s ^[2] He was awarded the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1998 ^[3]

His younger brother Yash Chopra, son Ravi Chopra and nephew Aditya Chopra are also directors in the Bollywood industry. His another nephew Uday Chopra is an actor.

[edit] Biography

Born in Ludhiana, "B.R." received an M.A. in English literature from University of the Punjab in Lahore. He started his career in 1944 as a film journalist with Cine Herald, a film-monthly published in Lahore, he later took over the magazine and ran it until 1947 ^[4]. In the same year, he launched a film with a story by I. S. Johar, Chandni Chowk. Naeem Hashmi was hero of this movie and Erika Rukhshi was the heroine. Just as the production of film was to start, riots broke out in Lahore and he and his family had to flee from the city. After the partition of India into India and Pakistan in 1947, he moved to Delhi. He later moved to Bombay (Mumbai), where his first production, Karwat, began in 1948, though it turned out to be a flop. His first film as a director, Afsana, was released in 1951 and featured Ashok Kumar in a double role - the film was a hit and established his name in Bollywood. Chopra made Chandni Chowk, with Meena Kumari as a lead, in 1954. In 1955, B.R. formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was the highly successful Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit. In 1963 he was a member of the jury at the 13th Berlin International Film Festival.^[5]

B.R. was instrumental in developing the career of singer Mahendra Kapoor, and employed Mahendra in most of his movies. (Director-producer Yash Chopra, younger brother, cast Mahendra Kapoor's son in Fasle.)

B.R.'s foray into television led to Mahabharat, one of the most successful TV serials in Indian television history. Another of his memorable TV drama is Bahadur Shah Zafar.

He died in Mumbai at the age of 84 on 5 November 2008 ^[6], survived by his son, Ravi Chopra, also a filmmaker and two daughters ^[7]

[edit] Awards

• 1962: Filmfare Best Director Award: Kanoon
• 1998: Dadasaheb Phalke Award
• 2003: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2008: Phalke Ratna Award by the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy ^[8]

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Actor

• Ghar (1978)

[edit] Story Writer

• Baghban (2003)
• Babul (2006)

[edit] Director-Producer

• Naya Daur (1957)
• Sadhana (1958)
• Kanoon (1961)
• Gumrah (1963)
• Humraz (1967)
• Dastan (1972)
• Dhund (1973)
• Karm (1977)
• Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978)
• Insaf Ka Tarazoo (1980)
• Nikaah (1982)
• Awam (1987)
• Kal Ki Awaz (1992)

[edit] Director

• Afsana (1951)
• Chandni Chowk (1954)
• Ek Hi Raasta (1956)
• Tawaif (1985)

[edit] Producer

• Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
• Dharm Putra (1962)
• Waqt (1965)
• Ittefaq (1969)
• Admi Aur Insan (1970)
• Zameer (1975)
• Chhoti Si Bat (1976)
• The Burning Train (1980)
• Agnee Pareeksha (1982)
• Mazdoor (1983)
• Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984)
• Kirayedar (1986)
• Dahleez (1986)
• Pratigyabadh (1991)
• Baghban (2003)
• Babul (2006)

[edit] References

Wikinews has related news: Indian filmaker Baldev Raj Chopra dies at age 94

[edit] External links

• Baldev Raj Chopra at the Internet Movie Database
• B R Chopra's unforgettable movies Rediff.com