E-Paper
Visionary of Hindi classics
BR Chopra is known for making socially relevant films, writes Manjulaa Negi.
Long before Yash Chopra became the Yash Chopra of Hindi films, he was under the benign shadow and tutelage of his elder brother Baldev Raj Chopra. Born on 22 April 1914, BR as he came to be popularly known was the son of Lal Vilayati Raj and Draupadi Chopra. Belonging to a family of Punjabi-khatris, BR did his initial studies at an Urdu medium school in Jalandhar and later moved to Lahore to complete his studies where he ended up doing masters in English Literature from Government College. Interestingly, Government College was also the breeding ground for several other Hindi cinema greats like Chetan Anand, Balraj Sahni.
The visionary of Hindi classics such as Afsana (his debut feature film as producer-director) and Naya Daur had actually wanted to become an ICS officer but since he failed the entrance examination he opted for film journalism. Film writing was an interest that BR had pursued simultaneously along with his studies and in 1938 he was offered the editorship of Lahore-based Cine Herald which he ran successfully until 1946. However, the Partition forced the Chopras to return to India and BR shifted base to Bombay, where he began working as a publicity officer for Northern Indian Film, a film making studio.
However, films were really BR’s calling and despite well-meaning advice from journalist friends he decided to try his luck in cinema and move away from journalism. It was Durga Das, then editor of Hindustan Times and BR’s uncle who advised him not to give up his dreams of making a film. BR renewed his innings with an IS Johar script. He cast the late Ashok Kumar (one of the leading names then) as hero in the film who also ended up helping him in directing the film! There was no looking back.
BR went on to form B.R. Films in 1955 and the first film under its banner, Ek Hi Raasta (1956) was a runaway success, followed by Naya Daur (1957) and Sadhana (1958). While the films worked on the strength of their storylines, what cannot be ignored is the fact that the organizational structure of BR Films also contributed towards their success. Not only did the studio work with tight deadlines and strictly followed schedules, BR also ensured that the same production team continued in film after film.
Apart from replacing Majrooh Sultanpuri with Sahir Ludhanvi as lyricist from Naya Daur, BR continued to work with same people. He had an in house story-writing department (which would develop and work on the basic outline) though the story itself may have been taken from outside sources. The films BR insisted would have to be socially relevant and theme-based. Hence, Naya Daur is the best known example from Hindi cinema which explored the theme of industrialisation, while Sadhana dealt with prostitution. He also decided to hand over the director’s reins to younger brother Yash while he was free to handle the production side.
However, he did occasionally step out of the self-imposed exile to make superhits like Kanoon (1960), Gumrah (1963) and Humraaz (1967). In the words of Yash Chopra, “Mr Chopra has the best sense of story. His stories appeal to people. He makes socially relevant films and has always wanted to say something in a film. Even when he directs a film, there is a B.R. story department. … When he makes a film, I work for him. When I make a film, he works for me.” However, the camaraderie between the brothers which yielded several films like Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Waqt (made in 1965 and BR Films’ first colour production), Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) and Ittefaq (1969) and lasted almost two decades came to an end in 1970-71.
Yash Chopra launched his own banner Yashraj Films and went on to make equally successful films independently, while BR continued with his socially relevant cinema and gave superhits such as Pati, Patni aur Who, Insaaf Ka Tarazu and Nikaah under his banner. The B. R. Group of Companies has since grown as the premiere Indian Entertainment conglomerate. With the advent of satellite television, the group’s foray into television software production began in 1985. Their work includes well-known and long running television serials like Bahadur Shah Zafar, Mahabharat, Kanoon and Ek Se Badkar Ek.
Despite being failing health, BR continues to attend office (based in Mumbai’s suburbs) for an hour even today. He was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian Cinema in 1999. BR is also the recipient of the Doctorate of letters by Andhra University.
