On Yash Chopra birth anniversary 9 films that prove he wasn't just the king of romance
Think of Yash Chopra and what is the first thought that pops in your mind? That he was the King of Romance whose films will have the lead pair romancing, more often than not, on snow-covered Alps in chiffon. His films married tradition and the young love to establish a veritable genre.
Today on Chopra’s birth anniversary, dear Millennials, meet the edgy Chopra who flirted with social dramas and thrillers and even helped establish our angry young man, Amitabh Bachchan, via a path-breaking film called Deewar. Bachchan may have earned the tag after Zanjeer but Dewar remains an integral, and celebrated, part of his journey.
On the dream filmmaker’s 85th birth anniversary on Wednesday, we revisit seven of his films that show us he was so much more than the romances that are a part of every Indians growing-up ritual.
Mashaal (1984)
Starring Anil Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Waheeda Rahman, the film focussed on the importance of standing against injustice, freedom of press and the need for morality and the like. It was based on Vasant Kanetkar’s Marathi play, Ashroonchi Zhali Phule. Kapoor bagged his first Filmfare for the film.
Kaala Patthar (1979)
Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha in lead roles, the film talked about labour rights, the privatisation of coal mines and other contemporary social issues. Based on the Chaasnala mining accident that killed more than 370 labourers in Dhanbad (Jharkhand), the film had an average show at the box office but is today considered a landmark film. Raakhee, Parveen Babi and Shashi Kapoor also featured in the film.
Trishul (1978)
Another multi-starrer with Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar and Hema Malini in lead roles, the film was a superhit. A story that talked of premarital sex, children out of wedlock and the class divide, Trishul is a film that weaves family drama with social issues.
Daag (1973)
The first film to be produced under Yash Chopra banner, after his separation from elder brother BR Chopra, the film was a melodrama about a man with two wives. It was successful at the box office and also grabbed two Filmfare awards - one for Chopra himself and another for Rakhee. An adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge, the film starred Rajesh Khanna, Raakhee and Sharmila Tagore.