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The memorable works of this director and producer include not only an array of hit movies like Naya Daur and Gumrah but also TV series like the Mahabharata. B.R. Chopra’s contribution to cinema is unparalleled.
Born on 22nd April 1914
"Mai samay hoon", is without any doubt, the most iconic narration of Hindi entertainment. The man who made this narration possible, who was the weaver of this tale, the one who made all this possible was B.R. Chopra.
The doyen of the Indian film industry and the architect of Bollywood's golden period, not only managed to fill theatres with people but also successfully turned homes into mini theatres.
Baldev Raj Chopra started his career in Film journalism with Cine Herald magazine as he had just completed his M. A. in English literature but his fascination with films stopped him from taking higher education and took up a career in film journalism, surprising his family.
But his career came to an abrupt end with Lahore getting engulfed with partition riots as his home was attacked and he had to flee with his family.
Settling in Mumbai a new era was about to begin. He produced his first film Karwat which flopped at the box office but he tried again in his directorial debut film Afsana (1951) and hit gold. His success encouraged him to start his own production company, B. R. Films in 1955. He went on to make iconic films like Kanoon, Insaaf ka Tarazu, Gumra, and Naya Daur.
His films were not only money-making machines but always had a special message for the audience. He kept in mind the social issues and his responsibility as a filmmaker which can be seen in his films where he has depicted issues like widow remarriage, assault, and adultery.
B. R. Films kept on producing films under his banner, launching stalwarts like Yash Chopra, his younger brother. But for decades B. R. Chopra had a dream of reviving the great epic Mahabharata which came true when Doordarshan came knocking at his door. Ramanand Sagar was roped in for Ramayan and B. R. Chopra for Mahabharat but to avoid a clash of the titans, DD delayed Mahabharat and Ramayan was aired first. While Mahabharat was being shot Ramayan had already become a national hit, the pressure was real.
The opening monologue " Main Samay Hoon" took everyone by storm and "Atha Shree Mahabharat Katha" took off. It was a national phenomenon, as the crowded streets would get deserted and the entire family would get glued to the TV on Sunday mornings.
The legendary cast of B. R. Chopra's Mahabharat; Source: Public Domain
This timeless classic had a rerun when the world was hit by a pandemic in 2020 the epic saga of Mahabharat gave hopes to many.
As B.R. said in Mahabharat Ki Mahabharat, a documentary on the making of the show, “Aur kaha jaata hai, jo is mein nahin hain, woh kahin nahin hain”.
The Dada Saheb Phalke award winner had surely done justice to his idol Sage Vyasa the greatest storyteller that India ever had.
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