sputnik, , Interviews, 3
Shah Rukh Khan in conversation with Yash Chopra
Related Articles
Gulzar remembers Sahir
From one poet to another, Gulzar shares recollections of legendary poet/lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi with Farhana Farook Source: www.filmfare.com/features/gulzar-remembers-sahir-13561.html “Every...
Kaafirana will be your Munni: Farah
Actor Chitrangda Singh, recently seen on the big screen in her first completely commercial role in Desi Boyz, along...
We Bachchans are not a package deal: Abhishek Bachchan
Clearly, Abhishek Bachchan needs no introduction. He is to the manor born and in his 12-year-long career, he has...
Filmfare Interview with Directors on Aamir Khan from 1997
On Aamir Khan’s birthday check out Filmfare Interview with Directors on Aamir Khan from 1997.
Heroine not about Manisha Koirala: Bhandarkar
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has rubbished reports that his film Heroine is inspired by actress Manisha Koirala’s life. “#Heroine’s not...
Wrote poetry for Meena Kumari: Yash Chopra to Shah Rukh Khan
In conversation with SRK, Yash Chopra spoke about he became a filmmaker even though his family originally wanted him to become an engineer.
Yash Chopra, the grand old man of Bollywood directors, turned 80 today. And as a birthday treat, actor Shah Rukh Khan hosted a very special live chat with Mr Chopra who has directed SRK in Darr, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Veer-Zaara and now in Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
In conversation with SRK, Yash Chopra spoke about he became a filmmaker even though his family originally wanted him to become an engineer. His elder brother, director-producer B R Chopra, wanted the young Yash to study engineering. With his mother’s blessing and Rs 200 in his pocket, Yash Chopra arrived in Mumbai in the 1950s and was given a job assisting his brother. He ended up working with B R Chopra, who wanted the young Yash to work with Raj Kapoor’s RK Films, for two years and directed his first film Dhool Ka Phool in 1959.
Mr Chopra also spoke about his love for poetry and how he became good friends with actress Meena Kumari after he wrote her a poem. “I was a Punjabi munda and I had hair,” said Mr Chopra, adding that Meena Kumari encouraged him to be an actor. He said to her, “I speak so fast that the film made will be very short.” While working on his brother B R Chopra’s Sadhna (1958), Yash Chopra became acquainted with the film’s heroine Vyajayanthimala, who told him he had the focus to be a director.
Yash Chopra spoke about how his elder brother gave him his first break as director with Dhool Ka Phool. The elder Chopra decided to allow his assistants on Naya Daur and Sadhna to direct their own films. Yash Chopra landed the director’s job after O P Bedi, the chief assistant, left to do an independent film.
SRK, an admirer of Dilip Kumar, asked Mr Chopra what it was like working with the actor in Mashaal. Mr Chopra spoke about how Dilipsaab had rejected his film initially even though he said he liked the story. When he later agreed to do the film, he invited Mr Chopra to his Juhu cottage where they discussed each scene in detail, over some home-cooked chicken meals. Mr Chopra said that he found Dilipsaab’s inputs very helpful, and the food delicious – especially a keema and egg dish!
Shah Rukh Khan related to Yash Chopra an anecdote about how he had abandoned watching Mr Chopra’s Lamhe, starring Sridevi, halfway through the movie. He had just started out in Bollywood and had gone to watch the film with his friend Vivek Vaswani, his co-star from Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman. Midway through the movie, SRK’s secretary arrived to tell him that Yash Chopra was considering casting him in a movie and was asking to meet him. SRK left the movie straightaway, without even pausing to ask if Mr Chopra wanted to meet him at that very moment, and went to the director’s office. The movie was, of course, Darr.
Why did Yash Chopra wait for eight years after Veer-Zaara to make Jab Tak Hai Jaan? The biggest reason that he didn’t direct a film for this long was because he felt there very good films were being made and that he would have to make something extra special to match up, said Mr Chopra.
And what about the “Yash Chopra heroine?” What is it about the Yash Chopra treatment that makes the heroines look so beautiful, asked SRK. Mr Chopra’s answer: “God has made women beautiful. I respect all women. I don’t see any badness in them. I am doing my duty by making God’s beautiful creation even more beautiful.”
The director ended his chat by saying that he would retire after Jab Tak Hai Jaan, his 22nd and last movie.
Yash Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan also treated the audience to an impromptu rendition of classic hit song Ae Meri Zohrajabeen from Mr Chopra’s movie Waqt.
https://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?keyword=bollywood&ID=272952&subcatg=&nid=272952
Will not direct after Jab Tak Hain Jaan, says Yash Chopra
Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, who turned 80 Thursday, announced in a chat with actor Shah Rukh Khan that he will not be directing any more films after Jab Tak Hain Jaan.
“Bahut ho gaya abhi. My heart says bahut ho gaya abhi. I will not direct any other film after Jab Tak Hain Jaan. I have got lot of love in all these years. I think now the time has come to pay back. I want to help directors, actors, technicians who I could not help all these years,” said Chopra.
“This industry has given me so much. I am very much happy and satisfied with the film. This film has turned out better than my expectation. I don’t want to do anything else. My wife has been complaining a lot. I want to make her happy and enjoy my life,” he said.
Shah Rukh, who has been an integral part of Yash Raj Films for the past 20 years and stars in Jab Tak Hain Jaan with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, said he was saddened by Chopra’s decision. “I feel sad but great people decide when they want to finish… For years I have worked with Yashji. This is a moment of happy sadness. We are happy that we are part of that film which made you happy. ”
Terming it a “moment of history” for himself, Shah Rukh said he felt very touched and “can’t question it anymore”.
Chopra started his career as a director in 1959 with Dhool Ka Phool and in 60 years in the industry, has given many hits including Waqt, Silsila, Chandni, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, and Veer Zara, among others.
About his decision to make Jab Tak Hain Jaan, Chopra says this film was a gift for him from his eldest son Aditya Chopra, adding that his son had promised to serve as his assistant and fulfil all requirements.
“He has been a wonderful assistant. When I decided to make this film I thought my soul should be in this film,” Chopra said. The music of the film is given by AR Rahman and lyrics are by Gulzar. Yash Chopra was all praise for them.
“They are geniuses and magicians according to me. There is a certain pattern of how music is made and they changed this pattern. Gulzar’s poetry gave words to my vision,” he said. Jab Tak Hain Jaan is slated for Nov 13 release.
https://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?keyword=bollywood&ID=273020&subcatg=&nid=273020
Shah Rukh Khan does not ask for story or money: Yash Chopra
Filmmaker Yash Chopra, who teamed up with Shah Rukh Khan for over half-a-dozen films in the past two decades, said the actor never sought to know the story or the fees he would be paid, when offered a role by the veteran film-maker.
Yash Raj banner and Shah Rukh came together in Darr (1993) for the first time. After Darr, Shah Rukh Khan worked with Chopras in the superhit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Mohabbatein (2000), Veer Zaara (2004) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).
“I have always had great experience working with him. He is one actor who has never asked me what the story is about, how much money he will charge…whatever amount I send him through cheque he takes that and rather asks me why I gave such a huge amount,” said Mr Chopra, who turned 80 on Thursday.
“He does not meet me before we start shooting, he says I don’t want to know the story, don’t want to talk about money so why to meet. It is all because he has faith in me.”
After Veer Zara, Shah Rukh and Yash Chopra have joined hands in upcoming Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Mr Chopra is making his directorial comeback after a gap of eight years.
“After Veer Zaara I wanted to make something different and nice….soul-touching film. That is when I told Aditya, my son, that I want to direct a film. This film is a gift to me by Aditya. He told me `make the film dad and I am there to provide all kind of help’.”
While Gulzaar has penned the lyrics, A R Rahman has composed the music. “I am happy that I am working with both of them. It is magical to have them,” Mr Chopra said.
https://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=273076&subcatg=&keyword=bollywood&nid=273076