Yash Chopra, the Baadshah of Blockbuster dreams for

more than five decades.

Born on 27th September 1932, Yash Chopra’s journey from the lush
green fields of Punjab – which keep reappearing in his movies in all
their splendour- to the very highest echelons of the Hindi film industry
has been as magical as any of his 40 movies.

Yash Chopra started out as an assistant to his brother, B.R.Chopra, and

went on to direct 5 very successful films for his brother’s banner -
B.R.Films - each of which proved to be a significant milestone in his
development as a world class director of blockbusters. These were
‘Dhool Ka Phool’ (Blossom of dust – 1959), ‘Dharmputra’ (Adopted Son
– 1961), ‘Waqt’ (Time – 1965) – India’s first true multistarrer
generational family drama, ‘Ittefaq’ (Coincidence – 1969) & ‘Aadmi Aur
Insaan’ (Man and Human – 1969). He has wielded the baton,
additionally, for 4 films made by other film companies - ‘Joshila’
(Passionate – 1973), ‘Deewaar’ (The Wall – 1975), ‘Trishul’ (The Trident
– 1978) & ‘Parampara’ (Tradition – 1993). But his greatest repertoire of
work has been around the 40 films made under the banner that he
launched - the banner that stands for the best of Hindi cinema – YASH
RAJ FILMS, which now operates as a leading Film Studio of India.

Out of these films, he has directed 12 himself and these films have
defined much of the language of Hindi movies as we know them today
– especially the romantic picture. 'Daag' (The Stigma - 1973), 'Kabhi
Kabhie' (Sometimes - 1976), 'Kaala Patthar' (Coal Mine – 1979), 'Silsila'
(The Affair - 1981), 'Chandni' (Moonlight - 1989), 'Darr' (Fear - 1993),
'Dil To Pagal Hai' (The Heart Is Crazy - 1997) and 'Veer-Zaara' (Veer
and Zaara - 2004) are some of the highly successful movies which
Yash Chopra has directed.

A Yash Chopra directed movie is anchored in its strong screenplay –

but embellished always with gorgeous locations, snow-capped
mountains, lakes and rivers, beautiful women draped in gorgeous
chiffon amidst fields of flowers – women who invariably go on to
become icons after appearing in his movies.

No wonder then that actresses think their careers have truly taken off
only when they have acted in a Yash Chopra movie. But a Yash Chopra
movie does not just engage the eyes and the heart – it seduces the
ears as well. His sense of film music is impeccable – and each of his
movies has musical scores and signature tunes that keep India
humming years and years after its original release.

To many Indians, a Yash Chopra movie has been their passport to a

world outside the one they inhabit.

He was one of the first directors to take his camera to countries such
as Switzerland, Holland, Germany and the United Kingdom.

This has often led to a direct increase in visitors to those countries, and
governments have not been shy in taking note. The Swiss
Government has honoured him for helping rediscover
Switzerland and he was presented a special Award by screen
goddess, Ursula Andress, on behalf of the Swiss Government.

In fact, a lake in Switzerland has been unofficially named ‘The Chopra

Lake’ because of the way he has used it in films.

His directorial efforts outshine the work of directors less than half his
age. If his achievements as director are staggering, his work as a
producer is no less. He has never been shy of adventuring into bold
and controversial themes – which are not just simple “message films.”
Instead he has pulled off the more difficult task of weaving in socially
relevant messages within the parameters of commercial cinema.

The social comment has been meshed in with the smiles and tears
and has managed to successfully bridge the gap between the older
and the younger generations worldwide.

Yash Chopra has unearthed new composers, new singers, and acting
talent, almost all of whom have gone on to great heights in the
industry. To be a part of a YRF film is the culmination of the fondest
dreams for any talent in India - creative or technical.

Yash Chopra, today, is more than a director and producer alone. In

fact, the corporatization of “Bollywood” had its very genesis in the
pioneering efforts of Yash Chopra. With his vast years of experience in
the entertainment business, Yash Chopra is indisputably the leader of
the Media and Entertainment firmament in India and the voice that
governments and organizations listen to on matters pertaining to the
rapidly booming Hindi film industry.
Even after seven decades, his vitality and creativity remain
undiminished, and a new Yash Chopra or YRF film continues to remain
the most anticipated event in the film calendar of India. For Indians of
every age, Hindi cinema means Yash Chopra and Yash Chopra means
Hindi cinema.

Yash Raj Films

The second largest film industry of the world has contributed many
talents – each brilliant in its own creative field. Very few, however,
have enjoyed consistency in their creative endeavours and even fewer
have managed to create an organization that has become an integral
part of the entertainment business in India. YRF (Yash Raj Films)
Studios has merited this unique distinction.

YRF Studios is spearheaded by Yash Chopra – a leading light of the

Indian entertainment industry for the last five decades.

YRF Studios started out as a film-making company in 1970. In the last

three decades it has grown from strength to strength and today has to
its credit India’s most enviable film catalogue – some films of which
have been the highest grossers in the entertainment business.

YRF Studios, over the years, has expanded to distribution of films all
over the world – its own as well as films made by other well-known
Indian names.

YRF Studios has also widened its horizons into Home Entertainment
by marketing and distributing DVDs and VCDs of classic Indian films all
over the world through its offices in UK, USA, UAE and India.

YRF Studios has been associated with producing various successful

music albums and has also launched its own Music Label – YRF
Music.

YRF Studios has also been involved in production of television

software, ad films, music videos, and documentaries – with its enviable
creative team always at the fore. 1st January, 2010 marked the entry
of YRF Television, on Sony Entertainment Television - India's leading
television broadcaster, ushering a new wave of television viewing
experience.
YRF Studios has its own Post-production facilities, Television Division,
Design Cell, Equipment Division, Marketing Division, Internet & New
Media Division, Licensing & Merchandising Division – all in-house
facilities, which make it one of the most coveted creative houses in the
country.

In 2004, Hollywood Reporter carried a survey on the “Biggest Film

Distribution Houses” in the world in which..

YRF Studios has its own state-of-the-art fully integrated Studio

and a new Corporate Office at one of Mumbai’s prime properties where
the heart of the entertainment business beats.

YRF Studios is India’s leading Entertainment Conglomerate – veritably

a “Studio” in every sense.

Business Activities

Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra are both committed to discover and
groom talent in various aspects of filmmaking for the future.

YRF already has around 40 films to its credit and has major growth
plans for the future. The enviable catalogue of films continues to yield
higher returns for the company and with passing years becomes more
and more valuable. It will not be an exaggeration to say that films
from this company get the highest values from distributors and
exhibitors, satellite & terrestrial channels, licensees and various other
users of catalogue film repertoire.

Collectively, 12 of the recent YRF productions have grossed in excess

of 200 Million US Dollars worldwide. The 6 highest selling music
albums of all times include 4 YRF productions.
YRF has its own state-of-the-art, fully integrated Film Studio. This
one-of-its-kind Studio houses three Sound Stages and is the only
complete soundproof and air-conditioned Studio in India. The Audio
Wing houses the most advanced audio and video recording and post-
production facilities.

The Studios are built to International Standards and have the right
reverberation time with the lowest air-conditioning and environment
noise. This has been achieved and designed by Studio Designer Mr.
Martin Pilchner (of Pilchner Schoustal International Inc. USA), who has,
among other projects, also designed post-production facilities for
various members of the Hollywood fraternity, including Steven
Spielberg & M. Night Shyamalan.

The talents & tools that are offered to the film industry and multimedia
producers are the best and most up-to-date. It is a winning
combination of a unique work environment with technical excellence
and an award winning team of technicians.

Apart from its own films, YRF has successfully distributed films of other
well known film-makers throughout India and all over the world

INDIA:
In India, YRF has its own offices in 12 territories, covering almost
the entire country.

1st January, 2010 marked the entry of “YRF Television”, a subsidiary of

Yash Raj Films Pvt. Ltd. on Sony Entertainment Television - India's
leading television broadcaster, ushering a new wave of television
viewing experience.

The new offering from YRF TV is "distinct" in its look with fresh,
contemporary and engaging storylines that reflect the dreams,
aspirations & passion of today's young India and is attuned to deliver
"a unique and novel television viewing experience".

With the growing popularity of home viewing of films through DVDs

and VCDs, the YRF catalogue is the most popular. DVDs are released
and marketed all over the world through the UK, USA and UAE offices.
‘YRF Home Entertainment’ has also launched DVD and VCD titles
for the Indian market, through major stores across India and is the
label most in demand.

Additionally, YRF has acquired over a 100 titles of classic Indian films
of banners like R.K. Films [the creations of Raj Kapoor] and B.R. Films
[the creations of B.R.Chopra]. These are released under the ‘Forever
Classics’ series of ‘Yash Raj Films Home Entertainment’.

YRF also has its own music label – YRF MUSIC. Starting with its own
feature films ‘Hum Tum’ & ‘Dhoom’, the cassettes and CDs of these
films were marketed and distributed through its overseas offices.

With Yash Chopra’s ‘Veer-Zaara’, the YRF Music label was launched in
India, as a major contender in the music business. This classic album
was released worldwide on the YRF Music label, and gave music lovers
a much-awaited bouquet of timeless melodies, apart from becoming
the largest selling soundtrack of 2004.