Remembering Yash Chopra on his birth anniversary: Best 10 films
Yash Chopra – The ‘King of Romance’ of the Indian cinema, the legendary filmmaker is no longer with us physically but every Indian will cherish his evergreen films forever. Yash Chopra taught us the meaning of true and unconditional love, his trademark romance tagged him as India’s ‘dream merchant’. His films have magical mix of traditions and youthful romance that makes a surreal film watching experience for the viewer.
His scintillating career spanned over five decades and over 50 films. His films have given Hindi cinema some of the most memorable songs and dialogues. His characters exudes intense passion, especially his heroines who are an epitome of grace, stunning beauty and zeal. Yash Chopra movies pioneered ensemble cast in Hindi cinema. He gave us some path-breaking films like Waqt, Deewar, Daag, Lamhe, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhie, Veer Zaara and many more.
Today on his 85th birth anniversary, we revisit 10 memorable films of this iconic personality.
Waqt: With Waqt, Yash-ji pioneered ensemble cast in Hindi cinema. It boasted of actors like Balraj Sahni, Raajkumar, Sunil Dutt, Sharmila Tagore, Shashi Kapoor and Saadhana. It bagged six Filmfare awards in that year and was also declared a hit at the box office. Written by Sahir Ludhianvi, the songs of the film are evergreen hits.
a still from the movie.
Daag: Along with direction, Yash Chopra also made his debut as a producer with this film, which laid the foundation of iconic Yash Raj Films. The film is an adaptation of the novel The Mayor of Caster Bridge. The film was made keeping in mind Rajesh Khanna's huge fan following and it was a super hit at the box-office.
a still from movie, Daag.
Deewar: Deewar is considered as Yash Chopra's most accomplished works. It was released in 1975 and starred Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, Nirupa Roy and Neetu Singh, Deewar was a tale of two brothers on opposite sides of the law. Deewar brought Amitabh Bachchan in the limelight. The story about two brothers was a ground-breaking film and also received the Filmfare Best Film Award of 1975 in addition to 6 other awards and was a super hit.
Amitabh Bachchan and Shahi Kapoor in Deewar
Kabhie Kabhie: This was Yash Chopra's second directorial film with Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in the lead roles after 'Deewar', along with Raakhee, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. The film is regarded as a love story that transcends generations. This was also amongst Yash Chopra's favourite films. Khayyam particularly noted Kabhi Kabhie for its evergreen compositions. The title song 'Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein,' still holds a special place in the million hearts of Bollywood cine goers. The movie went on to become the 8th highest grosser of the year at the Indian box-office.
Amitabh and Raakhee in the still from the film.
Chandni: 'Dard ki dawa na ho ... toh dard ko hi dawa samajh lena chahiye', this particular dialougue from Chandni is still very popular. Chandni starred Sridevi in the iconic character with those gorgeous chiffon sarees still being famous. Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi's chemistry in the film and Vinod Khanna's strong portrayal of Lalit made the film even more memorable. The movie Chandni was a blockbuster in 1989 and is one of the most-watched films of Indian cinema.
Sridevi in Chandni
Lamhe: Over the years, this film starring Sridevi and Anil Kapoor. has been hailed as a classic and possibly Yash Chopra's finest film. Sridevi received huge acclaim for her performance in the film and won her Filmfare Award for Best Actress. This was one of the last films that Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza scripted: He died a couple of months after its release. On the occasion of the Centenary of Indian Cinema in 2013, Lamhe featured among the top ten romantic movies of 100 years.
Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in the still from Lamhe
Darr: Who would forget 'I love you KKKKK ... Kiran' from this carreer turning film of Shah Rukh Khan. Darr marked Shah Rukh Khan's first collaboration with Yash Chopra and his banner Yash Raj Films that went to become a winning streak at the BO. The film not only launched the concept of anti-hero in Bollywood but also launched Shah Rukh Khan, the dark horse, as a next big thing. Shah Rukh shined in the role of an obsessive lover and redefined the image of the conventional hero. This Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Sunny Deol starring film was a great BO success.
Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla in the still from Darr
Dil To Pagal Hai: This can truly be called as the one of the most romantic film made under the Yash Chopra banner. From music, to look of the superstars in the film, everything was refined. The film was a romantic musical hit. The movie marked a glorious impression in Indian cinema by winning many awards and appreciation. It was a new age love-triangle film which again proved that Yash-ji he is truly the king of romance.
Karishma Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit in Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
Veer-Zaara: This film marked the return of Yash Chopra to direction with a gap of seven years after Dil Toh Pagal Hai. The film's story and dialogues were written by Yash-ji’s eder son, Aditya Chopra. The cross-border love story between Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta's characters moved many to tears. It was the highly anticipated pre-release, the film eventually became the top-grossing Bollywood film of the year at both Indian and the international box office.
Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in Veer-Zaara (2004)
“Maine Tumhaare Zindagi Ke Do Pal Apne Paas Rakh Liye Hai. Aur Apne Zindagi Ke Do Pal Tumhe De Diye. Ab Yeh Hi Do Pal Hamaari Nishaani Hai Aur Yeh Hi Hamaari Kahaani Bhi”, this dialogue from 2004 hit film became instant classic.
