Yash Chopra- The Master Weaver of Love Stories

A young actor pays tribute to the late great filmmaker Yash Chopra.

“In utter shock & sadness I wake up to hearing about the passing away of Mr. Yash Chopra. With my eyes already moist, no words will ever be good enough to describe Yashji’s stature in giving Bollywood the platform and the recognition that it sits on today, and for giving audiences around the globe the ability and heart to smile, cry  and love through his soul-stirring vision.

There will NEVER be another Yash Chopra ever again. For me personally, no filmmaker has touched my life and captured my passion and love for Indian Cinema the way Yashji’s films have.

I am a hardcore film buff, a passionate lover of Indian cinema and an aspiring actor. What has really stayed with me is the film I saw as a teenager  – ‘Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayege’. There was my biggest idol, ‘The King Of Bollywood’ Shah Rukh Khan romancing on screen on a snow-capped mountains in Switzerland with a guitar in hands and dancing with a pretty girl. This is what constructed the definition of romance in my eyes.

This was the very first Yash Chopra film I saw and the passing of this legendary filmmaker is indeed a sad day.  He is the one man whose cinematic genius has closely reflected all the emotions I’ve undergone in every stage of life.

Cinema is said to be a form of art that takes years to master and a second to create a lasting impact in the lives of millions. Such was the work of Yash Chopra, fondly known as Yashji by everyone in the film fraternity and by his fans across the globe. He redefined the genre of romance through his larger-than-life, colorful and heart-wrenching cinema that stretched over a span of 60 years, as he produced over 50 films and directed over 20 of them.

His magic behind the camera puts me at a loss for words in expressing my regard for the man who was able to translate the language of love in a way that appealed to audiences ranging from teenagers like myself to grandmas.  Yashji was the pioneer in transforming conventional cinema into a ‘love at first sight’ affair with his audiences, through some of his early blockbusters like Deewaar(1975), Kabhi Kabhie(1976) and Silsila(1981), featuring a multi-starrer star cast in most of the films.

Yesteryear mega superstars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor,  Rishi Kapoor and Rekha,  to name a few, have come a long way in being globally accepted and given the recognition for their work as actors, even by today’s generation, through Yashji’s prolific screenplay and onscreen representation of real life emotions. His emergence as a prominent filmmaker was a blessing to Indian cinema, as through his enchanting and heartfelt films he brought romance into the lives of film-goers and convinced them that fantasies of true love beyond dreams do exist.

Yashji was one of the very first filmmakers to create a platform in his movies that directly struck a chord with the younger generation and their love for romantic heroes.

Shah Rukh Khan has often gone on the record to say that he considers Yash Chopra as his father, given the fact that he lost both his parents at a very early stage of his life.

Along with his several hugely successful films such as Darr(1993), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and Mohabbatein (2000), the one film that will always hold a special place in my heart is Veer-Zaara(2004). A film that tackles the nurturing of a beautiful relationship across the border, showcasing the power of true love despite being faced with obstacles, family rejection, and cultural differences that both the protagonists, Shah Rukh Khan & Preity Zinta are up against. What Yashji was able to so brilliantly depict in the film was the conviction that if you truly love someone with all your heart and soul, no element of fear or negativity can stop you from being with that person.

Yashji has revolutionized the importance of onscreen chemistry, by giving his audiences the ability to dig deeper within the emotions of the character, by being able to cry, smile and most importantly love, through his sharp portrayals.

When a man of Yash Chopra’s caliber and stature has captured the hearts of millions and earned tremendous respect for over five decades, it is only natural to be in complete shock and in a state of sadness about the news of his passing away.

It is ironical that he decided to title his final directorial venture  Jab Tak Hai Jaan, which is set to release in less than a month on November 13^th. Yashji will always be remembered as the man who taught us all how to dream, to hope and to love madly, passionately. All his films are about romance and cherishing the baggage of emotions that come along with age and relationships. He has given filmgoers so many vivid memories which they will share forever.

May Yashji continue to paint his vision of spreading and showcasing love in the heavens above. We will continue to love his films till Jab Tak Hai Jaan…

(Zoran Saher is a New York based actor who is a believer by instinct, writer by nature and a diehard romantic at heart. Music & movies are his source of inspiration and he is passionate about making a mark in cinema. You can follow him @zoran24x7.)