The World of Prem Chopra
Prem Chopra holds the distinction of having acted in over 400 films in a career spanning 50 years and still continues working with the same benchmark of commitment. He came from Shimla after graduating from a vernacular medium. While pursuing his education he observed that students who graduated from English medium were far more confident and prepared to face the world. To eliminate the complex he decided to create his own identity by participating in college dramatics, debates and elocution competitions. Today, his one-liner dialogues have proved to be his weapon which many try to ape.
He
was bitten by the acting bug during his college days when he got
actively involved in theatre. No one from his family belonged to showbiz
or were remotely connected to the film industry. His father Ranbirlal
Chopra, a high ranking Government official on the contrary was of the
opinion that his son should take up a government job and doing something
with Indian Administrative Service. Prem Chopra, third amongst six
siblings, was very clear what he wanted to achieve in his life. Finally
towards the end of graduation while every one wanted him to take up a
Government job he expressed his desire to go to Mumbai in the city of
dream and dream merchants and chase his passion much against his
father's wishes. In Mumbai he fortunately found employment in the
circulation department of Times of India, where he worked for almost
four years. Post office hours in the evening he would spend time in
Gaylord Restaurant at Churchgate which was a favourite hub of the stars
of those times. He craved for an opportunity to prove his talent as he
realized that nothing can set you apart from the rest of the pack except
talent because finally it's your ability that gets noticed. While he
continued his daily trips to the studios in search of work a Punjabi
producer Jagjit Sethi offered him a Punjabi film Chaudhary Karnail
Singh. Chopra grabbed the opportunity and as luck would have it the film
was a huge success and even won the national award. While Mehboob Khan,
impressed with his good looks, wanted to launch him meanwhile Prem
Chopra did a miniscule role with grey shades in Woh Kaun Thi. Next came Sikander
E Azam, Shaheed, Teesri Manzil, Mera Saaya, Upkar, Latt Saheb, Around
the World in Eighty Days, Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Kati Patang and Duniya which gave him a strong foothold.
Prem Naam Hai Mera
He lives in his 14th
floor massive duplex apartment in Pali Hill, Bandra with wife Uma. He
has three beautiful daughters Rakita, Punita and Prerana. All of them
are married to people connected to the Film Industry (Rahul Nanda, Vikas
Bhalla and Sharman Joshi). He adores spending time with his grand
children. He may carry the reputation of a wicked person because of his
convincing portrayal of the evil guy but in real life Prem Chopra is a
gentleman honoured with the Mother Teresa Award for his humanitarian
work and professional achievements. Film goers worldwide would continue
to recognize him with the one-liner, "Prem Naam hai mera ...Prem
Chopra."
- Niilesh A Raje
Prem Chopra holds the distinction of having acted in over 400 films in a career spanning 50 years and still continues working with the same benchmark of commitment. He came from Shimla after graduating from a vernacular medium. While pursuing his education he observed that students who graduated from English medium were far more confident and prepared to face the world. To eliminate the complex he decided to create his own identity by participating in college dramatics, debates and elocution competitions. Today, his one-liner dialogues have proved to be his weapon which many try to ape.
Passion for Acting
He
was bitten by the acting bug during his college days when he got
actively involved in theatre. No one from his family belonged to showbiz
or were remotely connected to the film industry. His father Ranbirlal
Chopra, a high ranking Government official on the contrary was of the
opinion that his son should take up a government job and doing something
with Indian Administrative Service. Prem Chopra, third amongst six
siblings, was very clear what he wanted to achieve in his life. Finally
towards the end of graduation while every one wanted him to take up a
Government job he expressed his desire to go to Mumbai in the city of
dream and dream merchants and chase his passion much against his
father's wishes. In Mumbai he fortunately found employment in the
circulation department of Times of India, where he worked for almost
four years. Post office hours in the evening he would spend time in
Gaylord Restaurant at Churchgate which was a favourite hub of the stars
of those times. He craved for an opportunity to prove his talent as he
realized that nothing can set you apart from the rest of the pack except
talent because finally it's your ability that gets noticed. While he
continued his daily trips to the studios in search of work a Punjabi
producer Jagjit Sethi offered him a Punjabi film Chaudhary Karnail
Singh. Chopra grabbed the opportunity and as luck would have it the film
was a huge success and even won the national award. While Mehboob Khan,
impressed with his good looks, wanted to launch him meanwhile Prem
Chopra did a miniscule role with grey shades in Woh Kaun Thi. Next came Sikander
E Azam, Shaheed, Teesri Manzil, Mera Saaya, Upkar, Latt Saheb, Around
the World in Eighty Days, Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Kati Patang and Duniya which gave him a strong foothold.
Dream Comes True
He
admits that he was never finicky about the roles. All that mattered was
the scope it would offer him to exhibit his histrionics. He was open
for both positive as well as negative roles. He admits that God has been
very kind to him and that he still continues to remain in this industry
even after 5 decades. Most of his contemporaries have either died or
hung their boots. He feels proud that the audience appreciates his work
and the characters he enacts. “Before coming to Mumbai my father had
clearly told me if you want to become an actor set your benchmarks
absolutely high or be like Dilip Kumar”, reveals the veteran actor. His
dream came true when he got the opportunity to work with his idol Dilip
Kumar in Dastaan. “Dilipsaab
was so focussed. For him every shot was an obsession even if it
demanded innumerable retakes. What mattered is the final product which
impressed the audience”, he explains.
Prem Naam Hai Mera
When Raj Kapoor approached Prem Chopra for Bobby he was quite skeptical because the only dialogue given to him was ‘Prem Naam hai mera . . . Prem Chopra’.
Actor Premnath, on spotting the confused actor, urged him to take it
up. Bobby became a sensational hit and the dialogue clicked. Overnight
Prem Chopra became a star. “Even today this line from Bobby is equally
popular be it in India or abroad. Everywhere I am invited the audience
want to hear it from me. I don’t have to even rehearse as it contains my
own name”, he winks. Prem Chopra has been a part of several popular
films like Purab Aur Paschim, Prem Pujari, Daag, Do Anjane, Trishul, Kala Pathar, The Great Gambler, Dostana, Aas Paas, Kranti, Naseeb and Khudaar among others.
Gentleman in Real Life
A
septuagenarian Prem Chopra loves to start his day early. He is very
particular about his morning yoga. He loves to swim which keeps him fit.
A voracious reader his love for books is evident from his neatly
arranged bookshelf. He keeps a tab on the new arrivals and updates his
collection regularly. “I firmly believe that reading is essential for
success and one's growth”, he suggests. He is equally good at writing
poetry and shayari. He loves playing and watching cricket which keeps
him interested and involved.
My favourite villan. Nice article Nilesh.
ReplyDelete