Veteran director Yash Chopra often known as the "king of romance" taught people to fall in love with his love stories. He produced more than 50 films under his production house Yash Raj Films and directed over 20 films during his career spanning over half a century.
In his career, the film director, screenwriter and film producer won several awards, including six National Film Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian cinema. He also received 11 Filmfare awards including four Filmfare Award for Best Director.
He made his directorial debut with 1959 film "Dhool Ka Phool" and followed it with 1961 social drama film "Dharmputra". In 1973, he set up his own production company, Yash Raj Films and launched "Daag: A Poem of Love" which received Filmfare best movie award.
He gave us some of the most successful and iconic films including "Deewar", "Daag", "Waqt", "Chandani", "Lamhe", "Darr", "Dil Toh Pagal Hai", "Silsila", "Kabhi Kabhi", "Veer-Zaara" and many more.
Here is the list of his top 10 most memorable films:
- Waqt
Though he started his directorial career with "Dhool Ka Phool", he rose to fame with his third directorial movie "Waqt" for which he received Filmfare Best Director Award. The movie pioneered the concept of multi-starrer in Hindi cinema which was later followed by others.
- Daag: A Poem of Love
Daag starring Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna and Raakhee is an adaptation of the novel "The Mayor of Casterbridge". The movie became a "super hit" at the box office and received two Filmfare awards.
3. Deewar
Deewar starring Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Neetu Singh, Parveen Babi and Nirupa Roy was the super hit movie of 1975. It received the Filmfare Best Movie Award in addition to six other Filmfare Awards. The movie established Amitabh as the "angry young man" of Bollywood.
4. Kabhie Kabhie
A love story of generations, the 1976 film is Yash Chopra's second directorial project with Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in the lead roles. It became the 8th highest grosser film of the year at Indian Box Office.
5. Trishul
The 1978 film was a "blockbuster" hit at domestic box office and was one of the top grosser films of 1978. Dilip Kumar was initially offered the role construction baron Raj Kumar Gupta which was eventually played by Sanjeev Kumar.
6. Silsila
The 1981 romantic movie directed by Chopra starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar and Rekha in the lead roles failed at the box office. But it achieved a cult status among Indian audiences.
7. Chandani
After giving some flops, Yash Chopra came back with 1989 commercially and critically successful cult film Chandni starring Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna. It is one of the most successful films of Indian cinema. The movie received National award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
8. Darr: A Violent Love Story
The 1993 Bollywood romantic psychological thriller film starring Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Sunny Deol was a blockbuster hit at BO. The movie is considered to be one of Shahrukh's best performances for the role of villain. It was made with a budget of Rs 1.5 crore but it earned approximately Rs. 19.25 crore at domestic BO.
- Dil To Pagal Hai
Yash Chopra directed, produced and co-wrote the 1997 highly successful romantic musical film "Dil To Pagal Hai" starring Shahrukh in a love triangle with Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor. The movie won many awards and was the second highest grosser for the year.
10. Veer-Zaara
The 2004 romantic drama film Veer-Zaara marked the comeback of Yash Chopra into direction after "Dil to Pagal Hai". It was 2004's top-grossing Bollywood production overseas and was declared an all time blockbuster film.
