Yash Chopra: End of an Era of Romance

Waqt (1965)

This was Yash Chopra’s passport to fame. It was he who initiated the concept of multi-starcast in films which then on became a trend. The ensemble star cast featuring the best actors of those times, from the respected veteran actor Balraj Sahni in the prime role to Sunil Dutt and Shashi Kapoor, supported by Achala Sachdev, Sharmila Tagore and Sadhana; Waqt is remembered as one of Bollywood’s path breaking films. Its music was mesmerizing with tracks like Oh Meri Zauharjabee and Waqt Ne Kiya. Yash Chopra films are remembered not only for its acting or for its actors but also remembered as good cinema with good music. His films were structured as an entity which was an experience utterly unforgettable.

Daag (1973)

If you love Classic English Literature, you are bound to have read Thomas Hardy’s ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’. This film was loosely based on the novel. This film was the beginning of Bollywood’s most premier production Company, Yash Raj Films. This film catapulted Rajesh Khanna to the zenith of stardom and Yash Chopra from then on became the most celebrated directors of his times.

Deewar (1975)

If you recount the best films of Indian Cinema ever, you would remember this film for sure. Deewar defines the values of Indian Cinema. Known as Yashji’s most ground breaking work. Deewar is among the few Must watch Bollywood films of all times. Amitabh Bachchan rose to ultimate stardom as the ‘Angry Young Man’ of the 1970s. The film was a Blockbuster at the box office. Deewar is rightly described as the ‘Key To Indian Cinema’.

Kabhi Kabhie (1976)

In many interviews, Yash Ji pointed out that Kabhi Kabhie was the most satiating and happy film experience of his life. This was a turning point of his career. After creating dramatic narratives, Yash Ji changed the focus of his work towards romanticism, a genre he went on to master and re-discover in the years to come. For Amitabh Bachchan, this film was the beginning of deriving him as a passionate romantic hero, contrary to his Angry Young Man look which began to get associated just with him during that period and in the years to come.

Trishul (1978)

This film was carried on from the Deewar tempo of work from Yash Chopra. Designed along the same line, Trishul was the highest business making film of 1978. Three Magnanimous stars, in their own right, Sanjeev Kumar, Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan came together under the director of Yash Ji and blockbuster was created at its conception itself!

Silsila (1981)

‘Love is Faith and Faith is forever’. Yash Ji must have staunchly believed in this to have created a film like Silsila. The most passionate and intriguing on screen pair of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha created a chemistry which goes beyond overwhelming. There was spark and flame flowing between them to make the scenes look so plausible. Jaya Bachchan plays her role to perfection. Silsila is one Bollywood’s most remembered romantic dramas. And though Eighties was a drought stricken decade for Yash Chopra, Silsila and Amitabh and Rekha’s chemistry in the film will be known as the epitome of passionate on-screen love in Bollywood ever.

Chandni (1989)

This was a musical blockbuster film starring Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor. The Eighties followed a violent vein of cinema which was finally broken on a happy tone. ‘Chandni’ was the film which brought romance and music back to films, literally. The film was crucial to Yash Ji because 1980s were a huge setback period for him in terms of films. Rishi Kapoor was dwindling from popular limelight and this film stabilized him for a while more. And Sridevi was set as the biggest female phenomena of the 1980s.

Darr (1993)

This film was path breaking in terms of reviving the idea of a Hero in Bollywood. A hero was defined as a male character that was almost Demi-God and mostly perfect, free from flaws. Shah Rukh Khan reversed the stereotypical idea of hero, breaking the shackles of normalcy. The film was narrated from the point of view of an obsessive lover, giving his perspective a sympathetic stand as well. Darr was the beginning of a historic alliance between Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Chopra which continues till date as SRK stars in Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan which will be released posthumously in November.

Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)

Romanticism entails with it, a few ideals; Yash Ji must have believed in love and relationships a lot to make a film like this. The film attempts to drive home the idea that ‘Someone Somewhere is made for you!’ Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, this film explores the ideas of love, friendship and relationships in a unique musical way!

Veer Zaara (2004)

An epic Romantic drama, Veer Zaara is a narrative spanned over decades and tells an unfortunate story from two ends of the India-Pakistan border. It is only possible for Yash Chopra to execute a film of this stature. To state it in one word, this film will be remembered for its grandeur in every sense of the word. The story is heart wrenching and sad but does nail down Yash Chopra’s firm belief in the spirit and power of love, an idea which is omnipresent in his films. Shah Rukh Khan and Priety Zinta delivered one of the finest performances of their careers in this film.

His last film as a director is all set to release on November 13, 2012. Yash Chopra, considered Jab Tak Hai Jaan as his dream project, was excited to deliver his last work to Bollywood with immense love and emotions! This film stars Shah Rukh Khan opposite Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. Yash Ji had planned to turn his attention back to family life and home once he wrapped up the work on this fail.

Adjectives fall short for the works of this legendary man and trying to explain how much Bollywood will miss the guidance and love of Yash Ji seems so futile. A brand, a legend, a mentor and a man who preached the lesson of endless love and faith in times when belief is nothing more than an improbable concept, he leaves behind a rich legacy which shall remembered forever in Bollywood. KoiMoi extends this article as a gesture of paying our last respects to Yash Ji. May Your Ever Loving and Ever Hoping Soul rest in Peace!