13 November,2014 08:21 AM IST | | The Hitlist Team
The filmmaker, who had been away from the Bollywood scene for quite a while due to his ill-health, lost his battle for life on Wednesday. Bollywood remembers the cheerful and affable director
Ravi Chopra
Ravi Chopra, who had been ailing for the last few years, passed away on Wednesday, November 12. He was 68. The filmmaker had been away from the Bollywood scene for quite a while due to his ill-health. Son of late filmmaker BR Chopra and nephew of the late Yash Chopra, he had been diagnosed with a lung ailment. He is survived by his wife, Renu and sons, Kapil and Abhay.
Photos: Bollywood celebs at Ravi Chopra's prayer meet
Bollywood remembers him as a warm and gentle person, who, along with his wife, played gracious hosts at his films' events and parties. Cheerful and affable, he was always willing to lend a helping hand to everyone. Even though he came from a leading film family, his humility was what set him apart from the rest.
Hrithik Roshan with Ravi Chopra at a film premiere
Says Simi Garewal, who worked with him in 'The Burning Train', "He was such a fabulous person. It is sad what he had to go through. He is finally relieved of the pain."
All in the family: BR Chopra (centre) with wife Prakash, son Ravi and daughter-in-law Renu, daughters Shashi and Beena with their respective spouses Raj Tilak and Dilip Kapoor, grandsons Rishabh, Shunal and Vishal and great grandaughter Ananiya during a function organised by The Press Guild of India to felicitate Chopra Sr in 2000. file/pic
Actor Aman Varma remembers Chopra as "one of the finest human beings" he has ever known. "I did three films, six shows and 10 ad films with him. He would make everyone comfortable. We used to feel that we had come to dine at his place and were working in between."
From left: Ravi Chopra, Yash Chopra, Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan at a filmi event. Pic/Yogen Shah
Chopra's directorial debut was 'Zameer' (1975) starring Amitabh Bachchan and Saira Banu. He directed the iconic television serial, 'Mahabharat', which aired during 1988-1990. He also directed mythological shows like 'Vishnu Puran' and 'Ma Shakti'.
His last B-Town outing as producer-director was 'Baabul' in 2006. The film starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji in stellar roles dealt with the issue of widow remarriage. Like his father, he was keen to highlight social issues on the big screen. His 2003 film 'Baghban' with Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini revolved around the problems faced by aging parents. Post 2006, Chopra produced 'Bhoothnath' and 'Bhoothnath Returns' featuring Big B.
