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Death Famous Indian director and producer of Hindi films and TV serials, Baldev Raj Chopra popularly known as B R Chopra died on Wednesday, November 5 at his residence in suburban Juhu (Mumbai) after a prolonged illness. He was 94 years old and has been survived by his son Ravi Chopra and two daughters. His brother Yash Chopra, son Ravi Chopra and nephew Aditya Chopra are also directors in the entertainment industry.

Early Life He had received his post-graduation degree from the Lahore University in English Literature and had worked as a movie journalist for some time. During this period his interest in movies had started. It was because of a deep-rooted fascination for films that he had preferred film journalism instead of a higher education as his career. After the partition he had moved to Delhi and after some time to Mumbai.

Films In Mumai, he produced ‘Karwat’ in 1949 but it proved out to be a big flop. But he was discouraged by the failure and again produced and directed ‘Afsana in 1951 which proved out to be a big hit and celebrated its silver jubilee. From here he never looked back and produced and directed many hit movies. In all his films he touched the socially relevant issues. Some of his best known films are Ek Hi Raasta (1956), Naya Daur (1957), Sadhana (1958), Kanoon (1960), Gumrah (1963) and Humraaz (1967). In ‘Raasts he had touched the theme of widow remarriage while in ‘Naya Daur’ he had shown the conflict between traditional rural values and modernism and mechanism. The ‘Gumrah’ was a big hit which was the tale of a woman who indulges in an affair after her marriager. His brother Yash Chopra also worked with him and and produced more than four films for B R Films.

Small Screen Later on B R Films turned to small screen and made several successful TV serials. But one of the most famous TV serial was Mahabharat which was based on the Hindu Granth ‘ Mahabharat’. It is considered to be the most popular TV serial in the history of Indian Cinema. During this period sale of TV sets had zoomed manifolds in India. With it B R Chopra got recognition in every household of India. Besides producing and directing films and serials he had also tried his hand at acting and story writing.