Yash Chopra to direct new film this year

He is used to accolades but one wonders what Yash Chopra makes of them. Quiet and expressionless, he stares at the screen as industrialist Mukesh Ambani talks about the filmmaker “redefining romance in Hindi films”, Shah Rukh Khan describes him as a foodie and Amitabh Bachchan says that the titles of superstar or megastar belong to Chopra only.

This was no award show where Chopra was receiving the lifetime achievement award but an event held by the Ladies Study Group, where he was the star attraction. HT spoke to him about love and other things.

New Year, New Film

“This year, I am going to direct my next film. The story has been finalised, only the script has to be given shape,” says Chopra, who has stood the test of time from

Dhool Ka Phool

(1959) to

Veer Zaara

(2004).

The producer-director has also had to face criticism about monopolising the industry.

“For me work is worship and I try to do my best,” says Chopra whose production house is releasing five films this year: Vijaykrishna Acharya’s

Tashan

, Kunal Kohli’s next, Jugal Hansraj’s

Roadside Romeo

, Siddharth Anand’s next and Aditya Chopra’s directorial venture with Shah Rukh Khan.

Was last year’s performance disappointing?

“I am not disappointed. If the films don’t work it doesn’t mean you will stop making movies. You like the story, believe in it and go ahead,” says Chopra, who attributes his rise to his elder brother, producer-director BR Chopra, and wife Pamela Chopra, who he describes as “my life”.

Movies Magic

If he hadn’t proved his worth as an apprentice under his brother, Chopra may have never made films.

“My family wanted me to be an engineer but I suggested that I be given a chance in films,” he says.

Which is his favourite romantic film?

“It is the character that becomes my favourite and that is applicable to all my films,” says Chopra.

Chopra also speaks about his Kolkata connection. “I have never shot here, though I have come here often since 1957. I was here for the first time during the release of my brother’s film,

Naya Daur

. Premieres used to be held here often but now they take place in Mumbai and I cannot be here so often,” he says, adding, “I would like to shoot here once.”