One of the icons of the Hindi Cinema world, Prem was the third of six
children born to Ranbirlal and Rooprani Chopra in Lahore. After the
partition the family moved to Simla where he along with his four
brothers and one sister did their education.He graduated from the
Punjab University however the actor in him had already begun to
surface. He had been participating on stage since his college days. His
talent got recognition even then and he was adjudged the best actor in
some of the plays.
This encouraged him to spread his wings and try
his luck in the Bombay Film Industry. However to get into films was no
easy task. Struggle was the name of the game. So in order to survive
the fast life of Bombay he took up a job with the Times of India while
trying to gain his foothold in the Hindi Film Industry.During his stint
with the Times of India he worked in Punjabi films like Chaudhary
Karnail Singh, Sapni and Hindi films such as Woh Kaun Thi, Shaheed,
Main Shadi Karne Chala, Teesri Manzil.
While doing Upkaar, he
gave up his job to concentrate solely on acting. He made his presence
strongly felt, but as a 'bad man'. And he became an artist that the
audience loved to hate. In his life outside films he gained the respect
of one and all and became someone people loved to love. The name Prem
Chopra is familiar to every Indian ear both within the country and
abroad. Letters with just his name on the envelope and no address
reached safe and sound to his spacious house in Bombay. It has been
ages since in real life he has felt the need to say "Prem Naam hai mera
...Prem Chopra." The celebrated face speak volumes.
Today he has
completed nearly 400 films all in a span of 35 years and continues
working with fervor and zest.Awards have loved to belong to this gifted
actor. He has been awarded by Film Fare, Lions, Punjabi Kala Sangam
amongst many others for his powerful performances. He has created magic
with live audiences while participating in stage shows all over the
U.A.E. , Britain, America, Holland, Fiji Islands, Singapore...
This
'villain' has a tender streak in him that those close to him are aware
of he has raised funds for many noble causes such as building
hospitals, schools, temples, for cine artists and for the needy.If Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde have competition it is with the Villainous screen
image of Prem Chopra as compared to his humane real life Persona. A
son, husband, father and friend commanding much respect Prem Chopra in
every way is a family man worth emulating.
He married Uma in 1969
and the blessed union of the duo turned stronger as they parented three
beautiful daughters Rakita, Punita and Prerana. The 3 girls share a
unique bond with their enigmatic father and if the feared screen baddie
is bullied, it is by his daughters. They call him the 'baby' of the
house as he is the first one to go to sleep at night. The newest role
that the actor is currently essaying is that of a grandfather as his
daughters Punita and Prerana are blessed with a daughter each Sanchi
and Khyana. A role which as usual he is playing to perfection.
Contrary
to his screen image, the multi-faceted Prem Chopra whose biggest asset
is his sincerity lives his life in congruence with name his parents had
thoughtfully bestowed on him...P-R-E-M