Yash Chopra: Unparalleled in the Poetry of Love on Celluloid

Yash Chopra, the filmmaker who told stories that were way ahead of his times.

Director Yash Chopra depicted love and separation in Hindi films like no other filmmaker. (Photo: Twitter/@RjSmritii)  

No one told a love story quite as bravely and boldly as Yash Chopra. Silsila (1981) Lamhe (1991), Chandini (1989), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997) and Veer Zara (2004) are some of his unforgettable directorial gems. And as a producer, he gave us Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Though he was a hopeless romantic when it came to films, he was equally practical when it came to his life, family and professional relationships. As we remember the master storyteller on his 85th birth anniversary, here’s a glimpse into some moments from his life and films.

Lamhe Was His All Time Favourite

Yash Chopra, Anil Kapoor and Sridevi take a break on the sets of Lamhe. (Photo: Twitter/@IyanAmjad)

There Was Always a Film Playing In His Head

Yash Chopra was completely consumed by the stories he wanted to tell. (Photo: Twitter/@abhiness)

Every Actor’s Dream Producer

Yash Chopra put all his heart into telling love stories and was never constrained by budgets. (Photo: Twitter/@RjSmritii)

The Silsila of Silsila (1981)

The story of how Smita Patil and Parveen Babi were replaced by Jaya Bachchan and Rekha in Silsila (1981) is as intriguing as the love story (Photo: (L) Twitter/@IyanAmjad; (R) Twitter/@indexbollywood)

There Was a Child Inside Him

Pamela Chopra talks about what her husband Yash was like at home. (Photo: Twitter/@LurvRaniMukerji)

(This story is from The Quint’s archives and was first published on 21 October, 2015 on the occasion of Yash Chopra’s death anniversary. It is being republished on September 27, 2017, to mark his birth anniversary.)