Noted filmmaker B R Chopra passes away

Legendary filmmaker Baldev Raj Chopra, better known as B R Chopra, died at his residence in Mumbai.

Substance was the hallmark of B R Chopra8217;s films but the legendary filmmaker who passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday at the age of 94 always felt that the rise of money and stardom have vitiated the image of Indian cinema.

The eminent producer-director was of the view that a film is not just about jugglery with money. He believed that a film addresses itself to the society and it is the duty of filmmakers to make healthy and wholesome films, preferably with good story and social significance.

Chopra practised what he preached. Whether it was adultery Gumraah, the politics of rape Insaaf Ka Tarazu, Muslim matrimony laws Nikaah, rehabilitation of prostitutes Sadhana, widow remarriage Ek Hi Raasta, Chopra always had a sharp, clear and effective non-formula tale to tell.

Baldev Raj Chopra gave great importance to story because he himself had started his career as a writer. An MA in English literature, he would have continued to work as a film journalist with the Cine Herald had it not been the partition of India.

Post Independence, he came to Mumbai and after a stint in production, made his first directorial venture with 8216;Afsana8217; 1951.

The story was about good and evil featuring twin brothers, both played by Ashok Kumar in a double role. 8216;Afsana8217; was a success and Chopra8217;s narrative cohesion was widely admired.

When Chopra entered the film business after coming from Lahore, he had no experience of filmmaking and did not know how to contact stars.

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He wanted to sign Ashok Kumar for 8216;Afsana8217; and had to use the good offices of J P Tiwari, Chairman of Bombay Talkies, 8220;you have no experience in filmmaking or direction and you expect me to hand over my career to you who has no knowledge of direction and at a time when I am on top?8221; asked Ashok Kumar when he met the aspiring filmmaker.

But later the novice filmmaker impressed the film star with his script. Chopra8217;s off beat Meena Kumari-starer 8216;Ek Hi Raasta8217; 1956 saw him ascending in his career. Chopra8217;s professional life entered its best phase with the Dilip Kumar-Vyjayantimala starer super hit movie 8216;Naya Daur8217; 1957.

The film won tremendous pre-release publicity when its previous actress Madhubala refused to shoot at an outdoor location. This prompted Chopra to take the actress to court. Perhaps inspired by such real life legal battle, the courtroom became a steady fixture in his films the songless 8216;Kanoon8217;, 8216;Waqt8217;, Dastaan or 8216;Insaaf ka Taraazu8217;.

In 1959, B R gave younger brother Yash Chopra, a chance to direct 8216;Dhool Ka Phool8217; Thereafter he entrusted the direction of major productions like 8216;Waqt8217;, 8216;Aadmi aur Insan8217; to Yash. When Yash left B R to start his own production company in the 70s, B R was shattered.

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8220;I was on sleeping pills for six month8217;s because it destroyed my dreams of a joint family,8221; he was quoted as saying.

Besides, professional life was also not good with his films 8216;Dastaan8217; 1972, 8216;Karm8217; 1977 flopping. But his comedy flick 8216;Patni patni aur Woh8217; 1978 put smile back on Chopra8217;s face.

Later films like 8216;Awaam8217; and 8216;Burning Train8217; failed at the box office but divine intervention came in the form of record breaking success of 8216;Mahabharat8217; on small screen.