Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 28: Yash Chopra, often hailed as the Father of Romance in Hindi cinema, not only redefined love on the big screen but also shaped the careers of some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, and Shah Rukh Khan.

In his own words, Chopra once said, “Somewhere there’s a love story unfolding at every given point. I decided to give a new twist to the emotion called love in my films.” His films struck a chord with audiences by exploring the depths of human emotions and relationships, while giving actors the space to grow and shine.

Amitabh Bachchan’s second inning

Chopra played a pivotal role in Amitabh Bachchan’s career twice. First, he resurrected Big B’s career with Deewaar (1975), establishing him as the iconic “Angry Young Man.” While Chopra directed him in action films like Trishul and Kaala Patthar, it was his romantic films like Kabhi Kabhie and Silsila that showcased Bachchan’s softer side. In the late 1990s, when Bachchan sought a “third inning,” he agreed to star in Chopra’s Mohabbatein for just Re 1, as a gesture of gratitude for past support.

Rishi Kapoor: From reluctance to romance

Rishi Kapoor, known for his boyish charm, almost missed out on Chopra’s Kabhi Kabhie due to ego and insecurity about his role. With guidance from Yash Chopra and Shashi Kapoor, he embraced the character and later acknowledged, “Perhaps I was being childish… but in retrospect, I feel how stupid I was. I would have missed out on such a wonderful film.”

Shah Rukh Khan: Groomed for romance

Shah Rukh Khan’s transformation into the King of Romance was largely nurtured by Yash Chopra. Starting with Darr, where SRK played a negative role during Chopra’s lull period, the filmmaker later polished his romantic hero image with iconic films like Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Veer-Zaara, and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. SRK fondly recalls Chopra becoming emotional on the last shot of Jab Tak Hai Jaan, his final directorial venture, saying, “Last hain yaar. Last shot hain.”

Yash Chopra’s legacy goes beyond box office success; he recognized hidden talent, nurtured it, and crafted timeless love stories that continue to resonate across generations. His films and collaborations remain a testament to his ability to blend human emotions with cinematic artistry, leaving an indelible mark on Bollywood.