Prem Chopra

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Prem Chopra worked at Times of India and simultaneously hunted a career in films Tall, handsome and dashing when Prem Chopra landed in Mumbai he was hopeful of getting a role in Bollywood easily as he had a great personality and had experience of acting on stage. But after few months of struggle all his aspirations lost shine and he realized that getting work in Bollywood is no cakewalk. Hence to making a living he did many odds jobs and finally he got a lucrative job at India’s premium newspaper –The Times Of India. He worked as Circulation Manager. He had to travel a lot and it was during these visits he met a film producer, who was impressed by Prem Chopra’s handsome appearance and offered Chopra a role in his film Punjabi film Chaudhari Karnail Singh. Chopra who was struggling to make a foothold in film industry grabbed the opportunity and did the film. Soon he was flooded in Punjabi films but since the Punjabi films offered less money hence Chopra decided to make a dint in Bollyood afresh. Eminent filmmaker Mehboob Khan spotted Prem Chopra and offered him a hero’s role Few may know that when Prem Chopra was hunting from one studio to another he was once noticed by veteran filmmaker Mehboob Khan at Mehboob Studio, who offered him a hero’s role in his next film. Chopra was excited but Mehboob Khan asked Chopra not to accept any films till then. Chopra abided but after few years past and with Mehboob Khan wrecked financially with the mega flop of his ambitious film Son Of India, hence Prem Chopra became restless and signed films as villain.

Prem Chopra and Uma Chopra are made for each other couple Eminent film director Lekh Tandon, who made hit films like Professor, Prince, Jhuk Gaya Asman, Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye etc was impressed by Prem Chopra moral values and ethics. Hence when actor Prem Nath was looking for a good groom for his sister Uma, Lekh Tandon recommended Prem Chopra’s name. Thus the duo Prem Chopra and Uma Chopra tied the nuptial knot in 1969 and have been living happily for the past four decades. The reason the two have gelled so well is that both share many similarities and have regards for each other.

Prem Chopra tried luck at Filmistan Studio in Mumbai Having worked in Punjabi films, Prem Chopra decided to meet the owner of Filmistan Studio Mr. Tolaram Jalan but to his dismay when he went to the studio Mr. Tolaram was not available but he happened meet Mr. Bakshi, who was impressed by Chopra’s personality and asked him to play villain’s role. Initially Chopra decided to decline as he was awaiting a hero’s role in Mehboob Khan’s film but when Khan’s film didn’t seem to take off, Prem Chopra accepted Raj Khosla’s Woh Kaun Thi, in which he played a villain. The film was a huge hit and Prem Chopra came into limelight. Rajesh Khanna’s loss turned into Prem Chopra’s gain Though, Prem Chopra made a career in film doing tit-bit roles in films like Woh Kaun Thi, Hum Hindustani, Teesri Manzil, Poonam Ki Raat, Nishaan etc. but real stardom eluded him. Hence despite working in Bollywood, Chopra did not quite his job at Times Of India, he kept working but he reduced his visits. So which was the film that earned Prem Chopra stardom and he bid farewell to Times Of India? Well, the film was Manoj Kumar’s first home production Upkar (1967). In this film Prem Chopra played a pivotal role of Puran, the younger brother of Manoj Kumar, who rebels against his elder brother and demands division of ancestral village land. It was an out and out negative role which Prem Chopra played with panache! The movie was super hit and Prem Chopra became a Star villain. Interestingly Manoj Kumar had initially offered the role to upcoming actor Rajesh Khanna, but Khanna, was discovered in talent hunt by United Producer, and was bounded to act only in the film produced by United Producers. Hence Rajesh Khanna’s loss proved a big gain for Prem Chopra. With Upkar becoming hit Prem Chopra gave many hits like Duniya (1968), Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968), Anjaana (1969), Waris (1969). Prem Chopra made an inimitable pair with Superstar Rajesh Khanna Prem Chopra made an inimitable Jodi with Rajesh Khanna in the 70’s. The Jodi became famous with their first film Do Raaste (1969) in which Prem Chopra played the elder wicket brother of Rajesh Khanna. The movie was a huge hit. The same year the pair gave Doli (1969) and soon there was a demand by film distributor to have Rajesh Khanna and Prem Chopra Jodi. The distributors said they are not interested in heroine but they want Rajesh Khanna and Prem Chopra together. The duo worked in as many as 19 films together Kati Patang, Ajanabee, Daag A Poem of Love, Dard, Mehbooba, Prem Nagar, Souten etc were huge hit films. Prem Chopra made a great chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan With the exit of Rajesh Khanna from stardom, Prem Chopra made a great chemistry with the new superstar Amitabh Bachchan and together they did over 28 films. The journey started with Gehri Chaal and later they did many hit films like Benaam, Khud Daar, Naseeb, Ram Balram , Dostana, Kaala Patthar ,The Great Gambler Trishul , Do Anjaane , Shahenshah, Mard etc. In fact in Do Anjaane, a lesser known film of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha; Prem Chopra played the villain’s part so powerfully that he even won his life’s First and Last Filmfare Award for Best actor in Supporting Role (Initially there was no award in villain category). Prem Chopra’s transition to positive roles Prem Chopra has also done some mind-blowing positive also like he played Sukhdev in Manoj Kumar’s film Shaheed ( 1965) and the adorable old Sikh in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year opposite Ranbir Kapoor. His other films in positive role include Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Golmaal 3, Patiala House, Dhamaal etc. Chopra believes to keep oneself busy it is important to change gears and do all kinds of roles as actor Pran and Ashok Kumar did in the past.