Film festival dedicated to B R Chopra gets underway

New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) A three-day film festival dedicated to Hindi film industry doyen and legendary producer-director B R Chopra got off to a nostalgic start with the younger brother of the veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra declaring it open here this evening.

The jamboree, being jointly organised by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, Assocham and Time Broadband Services Group, opened with the screening of 'Insaaf Ka Tarazu', a movie which had dared to question the existing practices in law and courts in 1980.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yash Chopra, going down memory lane, said,'' Mr B R Chopra has always been like my father, my brother, my guru(teacher) and my source of inspiration. Without him I would not have been what I am today. Whenever the annals of contemporary history of Indian cinema are compiled, one name that will have a place of importance will be that of Mr Chopra, who has continued to make films that are socially relevant at a time when the industry is looking around for saleable models.

'' There was a time when the films made by my elder brother were given the thumbs-down by the industry pundits even before their release, but he always stuck to his guns and the products he had come up with. And he proved them wrong by his sheer mastery, finesse and his belief in himself. He has always been a man of conviction and determination,'' he added.

Mr B R Chopra, who has made films such as 'Hamraaz', 'Waqt', 'Ittefaq', 'Nikaah' and 'Gumraah', will turn 94 on April 22. Nine of his masterpieces will be shown during the three-day initiative titled 'Guild Greats''.

A nostalgic memories-filled Ravi Chopra, son of the legendary filmmaker, said,'' I respect my father's immense contribution to the Hindi film industry which I think has no parallel. He has always been a man of principles and has always sets very high standards for himself and others as well. I will definitely try to follow in his footsteps and the path he set for me. He always worked on his own terms and emerged triumphants and I will try to take forward his heritage.

Among others present on the occasion were filmmakers Basu Chatterjee, Bobby Bedi, music maestro Ravi, Guild vice-president Raj Tilak and secretary Supran Sen.

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