Tears unite Bollywood at maestro’s passing

Eldest son Ravi Chopra performed the final rites. According to a source, Ravi, director of the television serial Mahabharat, recited all Sanskrit shlokas to perfection. Chopra was cremated at 5.30 pm.

Speaking to Newsline later, director Madhur Bhandarkar said he never had the opportunity to meet the legendary filmmaker. Yet he cancelled the party I had planned on Wednesday to celebrate the success of my film Fashion.

Chopra’s work has always been an inspiration to him, he said. “His pathbreaking films, like Naya Daur, Nikaah, Insaaf Ka Taraazu and Gumrah, always carried a social strong message and mirrored the society in the times they were made. With Mahabharat, he again proved his mettle with content that could force people to think and question themselves.

Actor Jeetendra, another industry figure who had never worked with Chopra, said, “Unfortunately, he one film we had planned did not go on the floors. But I had the opportunity to work in films under the BR Films banner. We also shared close familial ties and there is no doubt that the great filmmaker will be missed. Chopraji was always ahead of his times and chose subjects for his films that could shake the pretentious value system of the society. Hats off to the maverick and may his soul rest in peace.”

Scriptwriter Ram Govind, who wrote some of the best screenplays for the veteran including that of Baghban, said, “With the passing away of Chopra saab, a complete era in Indian cinema has ended. He was a great person who respected everyone in his set. In my 20 years of association with him, I learnt so much – he taught us the finer techniques of writing. I learnt how to develop a character from him.”

Rohan Kapoor, son of singer Mahendra Kapoor, said, “It’s a very big loss to me because in a span of one month I lost my father and now Chopraji, who was like a father to my father. It’s like I’ve lost my father and my grandfather. After Gumraah, he never took any other singer but my father till Mahabharat. He was like a pillar for my father.”