Prem Chopra is a popular actor in Hindi and Punjabi films and is considered as one of the icons of the Hindi Cinema. He is famous as a character actor in the film industry and his contribution to uphold the role of a villain in a film was recognized, despite a soft diction. A charming personality, he has had a legendary career spanning over 50 years, with over 400 films.
Early Life of Prem Chopra
Born on September 23, 1935 in Lahore in a Punjabi Hindu family, he was the third amongst six siblings. He spent his childhood in Shimla and completed his graduation from Punjab University, enthusiastically participating in theatrical plays and thus displaying his acting talent. His participation on stage made him popular in the university. He worked further to try his luck in the Mumbai film industry. In order to survive in a city like Mumbai, he took up a job with the Times of India, while simultaneously trying to find a foothold in the Hindi film industry.
Film Career of Prem Chopra
While sharply juggling his work with the Times of India, with his struggle in pursuing dreams of getting a ticket to the Hindi film industry, Prem Chopra was taken by a stranger to Ranjit Studios where the producers cast him as the lead hero in their Punjabi film "Chaudhari Karnail Singh", a Hindu-Muslim romantic love story set in the backdrop of the Indo-Pak partition, which won a National Award. He later acted in another Punjabi flick "Sapni". During this period, he continued working with the Times of India, while also acting in several Hindi films such as "Woh Kaun Thi", "Shaheed", "Main Shaadi Karne Chala", "Teesri Manzil", "Upkaar", "Bobby" and several other box-office hits. He got noticed as a villain and was flooded with such offers. To concentrate solely on acting in films, he quit his job after "Upkaar" in 1967.
He had since then been a leading villain in Hindi films and established himself as one of the most iconic and popular villains of the Hindi cinema, having also worked alongside other notable veteran actors like Amjad Khan, Ranjeet, Ajit, Pran, Madan Puri, Jeevan and Amrish Puri. His dialogue "Prem Naam Hai Mera, Prem Chopra" (My name is Prem, Prem Chopra) from the film "Bobby" is very famous.
In the 21st century, he has acted with contemporary actors in movies like "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" (2001), "Koi- Mil Gaya" (2003), "Bunty aur Babli" (2005), "Delhi 6" (2009), "Daddy Cool" (2009) and "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year" (2009). His most recent films include "Golmaal 3", "Patiala House" and "Agent Vinod".
Personal Life of Prem Chopra
Prem Chopra married Uma in 1969 and together they parented three beautiful daughters Rakita, Punita and Prerana. Bollywood actor Sharman Joshi is married to Prerana and singer and television actor Vikas Bhalla is married to Punita. Rakita is married to film publicity designer Rahul Nanda. She wrote her father"s biography "Prem Naam Hai Mera, Prem Chopra", titled after his famous dialogue from "Bobby", which released in April 2014.
Awards and Honours of Prem Chopra
Prem Chopra was awarded with Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award in 1976 for his role in "Do Anjaane" and the "Legend of Indian Cinema" Award at Atlantic City (United States) in 2004. The talent of Prem Chopra was also merited with the "Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award" in 1998, the "Ashoka Award", "Lions Club Award", "Ashirwad Award" and the "Punjabi Kala Sangam Award".
Filmography of Prem Chopra
| Year | Film | Year | Film |
| 2015 | Udanchhoo, I Love NY, Hey Bro | 1988 | Gunahon Ka Faisla, Mahaveera, Mera Muqaddar, Mera Shikar, Shahenshah, Shukriyaa |
| 1987 | Hawalaat, Hukumat, Kalyug Aur Ramayan, Mard Ki Zabaan | ||
| 2014 | Honour Killing | 1986 | Ilzaam, Nagina, Shatru, Swarag Se Sunder |
| 2012 | Agent Vinod, Delhi Safari, Challo Driver, Power Cut, Heart Land | 1985 | Aaj Ka Daur, Arjun, Bhawani Junction, Haqeeqat, Kali Basti, Mard, Oonche Log, Saamri, Sarfarosh, Sitamgar, Ram Tere Kitne Nam |
| 2011 | Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Patiala House, Dharti, Love U ...Mr. Kalakaar!, Loot | 1984 | Awaaz, Duniya, Ghar Ek Mandir, Manzil Manzil, Maqsad, Ram Tera Desh, Teri Bahon Mein |
| 2010 | Mirch, Golmaal 3 | 1983 | Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka, Betaab, Daulat Ke Dushman, Mawaali, Prem Tapasya, Pukar, Souten, Andha Kanoon |
| 2009 | Delhi 6, Daddy Cool, Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, World Cupp 2011 | 1982 | Do Dishayen, Gopichand Jasoos, Haathkadi, Jaanwar, Khud-Daar, Sawaal, Desh Premee |
| 2008 | Desh Drohi, Money Hai to Honey Hai, Khushboo, Humsey Hai Jahaan | 1981 | Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, Naseeb, Kranti, Aas Paas, Raksha, Sansani |
| 2007 | Dhamaal, Undertrial | 1980 | Dostana, Lootmaar, Dhan Daulat, Aanchal, Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, Nishana, Ram Balram, Saboot |
| 2006 | Saawan: The Love Season, Ek Haseena Ek Deewana | 1979 | Jhoota Kahin Ka, Kaala Patthar, The Great Gambler |
| 2005 | Bold, Bunty Aur Babli, Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, Mr Prime Minister, Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi, Viruddh | 1978 | Azaad, Des Pardes, Dil Aur Deewar, Do Musafir, Phandebaaz, Trishul |
| 2004 | Hum Kaun Hai?, Shikaar, Woh Tera Naam Tha | 1977 | Adha, Adha Din Adhi Raat, Darling Darling, Dildaar, Dream Girl, Imaan Dharam, Jadu Tona, Jagriti, Kasam Khoon Ki, Paapi, Thief of Baghdad, Tyaag |
| 2003 | Koi... Mil Gaya, Dhund: The Fog, Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa | 1976 | Bairaag, Barood, Do Anjaane, Lagaaam, Maha Chor, Mehbooba |
| 2002 | Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare, Pyaar Ki Dhun | 1975 | Do Jasoos, Do Jhoot, Kala Sona, Raja, Sanyasi |
| 2001 | Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Tera Mera Saath Rahen | 1974 | Jab Andhera Hota Hai, Ajanabee, Benaam, Pocketmaar, Prem Nagar |
| 2000 | Beti No. 1, Jodidar | 1973 | Bobby, Chhupa Rustam, Gehri Chaal, Jheel Ke Us Paar, Jugnu, Keemat, Nafrat, Paanch Dushman |
| 1999 | Anari No. 1, Baadshah, Hindustan Ki Kasam, Hote Hote Pyar Hogaya, Jai Hind, Lal Baadshah | 1972 | Apradh, Be-Imaan, Dastaan, Gora Aur Kala, Raaste Kaa Patthar, Raja Jani |
| 1998 | Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge!, Dulhe Raja, Iski Topi Uske Sarr, Maharaja, Millitary Raaj, Zulm O Situm | 1971 | Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee, Hare Raama Hare Krishna, Hulchul, Lagaan, Pyar Ki Kahani |
| 1997 | Bhai Bhai, Gupt ,Udaan | 1970 | Himmat, Jawab, Kati Patang, Pagla Kahin Ka, Prem Pujari, Purab Aur Pachhim, Yaadgaar |
| 1996 | Hum Hain Premi, Mera Hindustan, PremGranth, Return of Jewel Thief, Sapoot | 1969 | Do Raaste, Anjaana, Doli, Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati, Waris |
| 1995 | Aashique Mastane, Aazmayish, Ab Insaf Hoga, Ahankar, Diya Aur Toofan, God and Gun, Jallad, Jawab, Raghuveer, Ravan Raj, Saajan Ki Baahon Mein, The Don, Zamaana Deewana | 1968 | Duniya, Hai Mera Dil, Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan |
| 1994 | Aao Pyaar Karen, Betaaj Badshah, Brahma, Cheetah, Insaniyat, Kanoon, Karan, Laadla, Prem Yog, Raja Babu, Yaar Gaddar | 1967 | Aamne Samne, Anita, Around the World, Laat Saheb, Upkar |
| 1993 | 15th August, Aaja Meri Jaan, Aansoo Bane Angaray, Izzat Ki Roti, Jaagruti, Kshatriya, Phool Aur Angaar, Santaan | 1966 | Mera Saaya, Sagaai, Teesri Manzil |
| 1992 | Tyagi, Aaj Ka Goonda Raj, Khiladi, Prem Deewane, Tehelka, Virodhi | 1965 | Nishan, Poonam Ki Raat, Shaheed, Sikandar-e-Azam |
| 1991 | Ghar Parivar, Khel, Mast Kalandar, Phool Bane Angaarey | 1964 | Woh Kaun Thi? |
| 1990 | Azaad Desh Ke Gulam, Doodh Ka Karz, Kali Ganga, Paap Ki Kamaee, Police Public | 1962 | Main Shadi Karne Chala |
| 1989 | Aag Ka Gola, Abhimanyu, Clerk, Daata, Dana Paani, Garibon Ka Daata, Gharana, Jung Baaz, Kanoon Ka Harz, Rakhwala, Sachche Ka Bol Bala, Santosh, Sikka | 1960 | Chaudhary Karnail Singh, Hum Hindustani, Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh |