BR Chopra brought new directions and serious themes to Indian Cinema
BR Chopra brought new
directions and serious themes to Indian Cinema. His work went
far beyond entertainment, bringing new directions and serious motifs to Indian cinema. In 1998, he was honoured with the country’s highest filmmaking award
The filmmaker who not only closely observed each transforming era era of cinema but also gave it new direction. Initially, his first film proved a debacle,but it wasn’t in his nature to give up. He scripted stories that turned out to be an embodiment of society. From films based on bold themes and human emotions to religious and social serials on television, he transformed the mindset of audiences Chopra, and who made TV a “temple in every home and gave entertainment new dignity. He was not merely a filmmaker but a tradition of storytelling. BR Chopra immortalised his name in the history of Indian cinema with timeless works like ‘Mahabharat’, ‘Naye Daur’, and ‘Waqt’.
In brief? Baldev Raj (B.R.) Chopra was a legendary producer and director of Indian cinema and television. All through his career, he made many brilliant films like ‘Dastaan’, ‘Tawaif’, and ‘Baghban’. His TV show ‘Mahabharat’ still lives on in people’s minds. Even though B.R. Chopra is no longer with us, he remains alive in our hearts through his films and TV shows.
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The legendary filmmaker was a witness to the era of silent films, the first talking film, and the transition from black and white to colour
He has elivered a string of blockbuster hits. Around 1946,
B.R. Chopra began a film based on I.S. Johar’s story ‘Chandni Chowk’. The script was completed and shooting began, but in 1947, independence arrived and riots broke out amidst Partition, forcing him to shelve his project.
He then shifted base to Delhi, and after a brief stay, he returmed to Mumbai. In 1949, he directed film ‘Karvat’, which flopped. His first directorial venture, ‘Afsana’ released in 1951 featuring Ashok Kumar, turned out to be a superhit.
In 1955, he established his own production house, B.R. Films, under which he made “Naya Daur” featuring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala. He subsequently delivered several superhit films, including ‘Gumrah’, ‘Kanoon’, ‘Sadhna’,
‘Pati-Patni Aur Woh’, ‘Humraaz’, ‘Nikaah’, ‘Karma’, ‘Ek Hi Raasta’, and ‘Baabul’, which left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
B.R. Chopra gained recognition in every household with his 1988 TV show ‘Mahabharat’. At a time when television wasn’t available in every household, entire villages would gather together to watch the epic.
However, before that, he created the TV serial ‘Chunni’, which aired on Doordarshan 38 years ago in 1987. This was an era, when television programmes were limited. This story of two friends from Punjab moved everyone to tears. It depicts childhood friendship, love, separation, and, beyond that, the barrier of religion.
B.R. Chopra’s last film was ‘Bhootnath’. His contributions were not limited to entertainment, but, he enriched Indian cinema with new directions and stories based on serious themes. In 1998, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema.
B.R. Chopra passed away on November 5, 2008, but the films and television shows he created remain alive in people’s hearts. He will always be remembered as the creator of ‘Mahabharat’. His films and television works not only entertained but also brought Indian culture and values to audiences.
News Edit KV Raman