When Yash Chopra announced Jab Tak Hain Jaan as his last directorial venture, Bollywood buffs saw it as the end of an era. Over the last half century, the man had touched the lives of many generations through his masterpieces on screen. But while his fans saw his retirement as the end of beautiful journey, the man himself was preparing to embark on a new one altogether. Having bid farewell to the life that made him the icon that he was, Yashji was preparing to take on the life that had eluded him due to the dedication to his work — that of a family man. We bring you excerpts of an interview with the man before he breathed his last.
In my entire career spanning 53 years, I have received everything in abundance — accolades, awards, fame and wealth. I have had more than my fair share of the good things in life. I don’t want to direct films anymore. I now want to help the industry find new talent in terms of actors, directors and technicians. But
more than anything, I want to spend time as a family man — with my beautiful wife and my sons. I want to spend time with my better half. Giving up direction is not the end of the road. My journey has just begun.
As a teenager my father was keen that I take up a career as an engineer. My brother B.R. Chopra was a successful filmmaker and watching him lured me towards the magic of films. By the grace of God, things worked out in my favour and I lived my dream. Today I have a studio and a production house that makes at least five successful films every year. When I started my career I made films like Dhool Ka Phool and Deewar and they made me the “big” name in the industry. But I soon realised that romance was my forte and that’s when I came up with Silsila and Kabhi Kabhi. (Smiles)
I am a happy man, satisfied with the way my life has panned out. Today at 80, I don’t feel I am an old man. I am young at heart. It’s time for me to start living life.