Entertainment News Desk – ‘Prem naam hai mera, Prem Chopra’, ‘I am the one who breaks the stone with glass’ … Prem Chopra has immortalized these lines with his style. In Hindi cinema, Prem Chopra represented the urban villain on the screen, who lived in a bun, but with his dark exploits, the hero’s life was difficult. His dialogue payments were characteristic of the characters. In the seventies and eighties, Prem Chopra’s villain showed a different color in films. He acted in more than 340 films in a career spanning nearly 6 decades. Prem Chopra was born on 23 September 1935 in Lahore. His family came to Shimla after partition. His father wanted him to become a doctor or IAS. Some interesting facts about the humble Prem Chopra in real life on the occasion of his birthday.
Which is Prem Chopra’s first film?
Prem Chopra’s first film was Lekh Raj Bhakri’s ‘Tangwali’ (1955). The film featured Shammi Kapoor and Balraj Sahni in lead roles. However, Prem Chopra appeared in just one scene in this film, in which he played the role of an inspector. After this, he did not work in any film until 1960. Prem Chopra then entered Bollywood in 1960 with ‘Mud-Mud Ke Na Diya’, which was not very successful. In the same year he also did the Punjabi film Chaudhary Karnal Singh, the film received a National Award and Prem Chopra started getting noticed.
In which film did Prem Chopra play the lead role?
Prem Chopra appeared as a lead hero in a low-budget film ‘Samaj Ko Baadal’ in 1970. However, he got real recognition from the villainous character. His dialogue from the film ‘Bobby’, ‘Prem naam hai, Prem Chopra!’ is, even today, one of Bollywood iconic dialogues, after which Prem Chopra never looked back again. His acting in negative characters was so great that he once said in one of his interviews that people used to hide their wives on seeing him.
Changes came after meeting Dilip Kumar
After working with Dilip Kumar, there was a big change in Prem Chopra. He was used to rehearsing his scenes in English, Urdu and Punjabi. He sang for ‘Kab Se Kab Se Dil Hai Pyarasa Aba Ko Aao’ in the film ‘Mera Muqaddar’ (1988). Apart from this, he also sang the song ‘Lo Mera Pyar’ from the film Nafta (1973).
Acting in Hollywood is also shown
Prem Chopra’s name is also associated with Hollywood films. Prem Chopra has been seen in the film ‘Heart Land’ released in 2012 and the film ‘Broken Thread’ released in 2007. Manoj Kumar, his co-star in 13 films, revealed that Chopra had a habit of writing his dialogue in Urdu, as he found it the best way to memorize it.
What is the relationship between Prem Chopra and Amrit Puri?
Amrish Puri was Prem Chopra’s senior in college. Prem Chopra acted in a play Samara/Badla before appearing in films. It also had Amrish Puri in it. Later, they acted together in more than 20 films including Dostana (1980), Nagina (1986), Shahenshah (1988) and Baadshah (1999).
What is the relationship between Prem Chopra and the Kapoor family?
Prem Chopra and the Kapoor family have a very deep connection. In fact, Prem Chopra was married to Raj Kapoor’s wife Krishna Raj Kapoor’s sister Uma. In such a situation, Prem Chopra was Krishna’s brother-in-law and Raj Kapoor’s brother-in-law.
Work with four generations of the Kapoor family
Prem Chopra has worked with members of all four generations of the Kapoor family, from Prithviraj Kapoor to Ranbir Kapoor. Prem Chopra worked with Ranbir in Rocket Singh-Soldier of the Year. He played the role of Ranbir’s grandfather. Prem has also worked with Kapoor daughters-in-law Babita and Neetu. The film Doli (1969) with Babita and Kaala Patti (1979) with Neetu Kapoor.
Does Prem Chopra have a son?
Prem Chopra has no son, but he has three daughters. Their names are Preena Chopra, Punita Chopra and Rakita Chopra. Sharman Joshi is married to Prem Chopra’s daughter Prerna Chopra. Sharman is Prem Chopra’s son-in-law. Rakita is married to Rahul Nanda, son of author and screenwriter Gulshan Nanda. Apart from this, his daughter Punita is married to singer and television actor Vikas Bhalla. Prem Chopra is very fond of different caps. He has got a cap for himself from Fiji, Australia, Jamaica and other places. He has a collection of many best caps from around the world.
