Yash Chopra is one of the most charismatic and powerful figures within the Indian film industry - his name being synonymous with romantic glamour and a certain style within Indian culture. He has been one of the most successful directors of commercial cinema and has been at the top of his profession for almost fifty years.

Born in 1932 in Lahore, Yash was youngest of the eight children of Shri Vilayati Raj Chopra. He was largely brought up in the house of his brother B.R. Chopra who was then a film journalist but later rose to become one of India's great movie moghuls. Yash graduated from Jalandhar. His brother wanted him to be an engineer but he was more fascinated by cinema.

Yash Chopra started his career as an assistant to IS Johar before deciding to work for elder brother B.R. Chopra. B.R gave young Yash his first directorial opportunity in Dhool Ka Phool. The film dealing with the problem of illegitimate children was an instant success. Yash created such memorable and different films for B.R. as Dharamputra, Waqt, Aadmi Aur Insaan and Ittefaq. While Dharamputra advocated communal harmony, Waqt was the story of a family who disintegrate after an earthquake and their struggle. Aadmi Aur Insaan dealt with corruption and Ittefaq was a suspense story. Waqt incidentally was the first multistarrer of its time.

In 1971, Yash Chopra founded his own banner Yashraj Films, Daag was the first film he made under this banner. The film a triangular love story was also a success. He directed such all-time hits as Deewar and Trishul. Then he moved to the new theme of human relationships and love stories. In the series he made such cinematic poems as Kabhie Kabhie, Silsila and Chandni. Always ahead of his times right from the days of Dhool Ka Phool he also made the critically acclaimed Lamhe.

In the 90s, he explored the depths of love of the obsessive psychic lover in Darr featuring Shah Rukh Khan. Then he produced Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, a record - breaking success directed by his son Aditya Chopra. Followed Dil To Pagal Hai a super hit and thereafter Mohabbatein also directed by Aditya Chopra and featuring the clash of the titans, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.

In his long career Yash Chopra had the opportunity of working with a variety of actors and actresses both old and new and repeating quite a few like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in many of his movies but he had the knack of extracting the best out of them. Amitabh played the role of an angry young man in Deewar and Trishul and came out as a romantic superbly in Kabhie Kabhie and Silsila. Shah Rukh Khan appealed to the audience in the negative role of an obsessive lover in Darr but was equally appreciated as the hero in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Dil To Pagal Hai.

Yash Chopra's instinct to select subjects, and his class and finesse as a director, have produced the most consistent string of hits. Throughout, Yash Chopra's films have breathed on a largely difficult terrain, exploring the relationships of anguished human beings torn between head and heart. He has paid distinct attention to sensitively portraying the heroines, superbly selected locations and a brilliant use of music and songs that never come as speed-breakers.

Gifted with a keen sense of music and poetry Yash like his brother B.R. Chopra shared an excellent rapport with Sahir Ludhianvi. He penned all the songs of Yash Chopra's movies including the unforgettable lyrics of Kabhie Kabhie, Daag and Deewar till the poet died. The romantic director then opted to team up with another talented lyricist Anand Bakshi and the association ended when he breathed his last.

As a producer Yash Chopra has been instrumental in tapping the potential of Indian films in the international market thereby helping in placing Indian cinema on the world map. He is currently the chairman of the FICCI entertainment committee.

In his long career he has made 22 films which have won critical acclaim and awards (both private and government) (list appended).

Yash Chopra has been honoured this year with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. He gets a Swarna Kamal, a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh and a Shawl.

1959 : Dhool Ka Phool

1962 : Dharamputra

1965 : Waqt

1969 : Admi Aur Insaan, Ittefaq

1973 : Daag, Joshila

1975 : Deewar

1976 : Kabhie Kabhie

1978 : Trishul

1979 : Kala Pathar, Noorie

1981 : Silsila

1984 : Mashaal

1985 : Faasle

1988 : Vijay

1989 : Chandni

1991 : Lamhe

1992 : Parampara

1993 : Darr, Yeh Dillagi

1995 : Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

1997 : Dil To Pagal Hai

2000 : Mohabbatein

1962: Dharamputra, Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue Writer - Akhtar-Ul-Iman

National Award for Best Hindi Film

1970: Aadmi Aur Insaan, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor-Feroz Khan

1984: Mashaal, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Anil Kapoor

1988: Vijay, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor-Anupam Kher

1989: Chandni, Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer-Manmohan Singh

National Award for Best Film - For popular and wholesome entertainment

1993: Aaina, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Amrita.Singh

National Award, Best Film - For popular and wholesome entertainment

Screen Videocon Award for Best Choreography - Shiamak Davar and Best Art

Direction- Sharmishta Roy.

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