As a villain, Prem Chopra's name was feared by most. Years later, the same name is making a comical comeback
As a villain, Prem Chopra's name was feared by most. Years later, the same name is making a comical comebacku00a0
The name Prem Chopra has terrified many, synonymous of a villain with a bad attitude and memorable dialogue. Filmmakers and even theatre directors are now taking this brand name and incorporating it in their works. Rohit Shetty called Ajay Devgn's character in All the Best Prem Chopra and in the soon-to-be released Rajkumar Santoshi's Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Ranbir Kapoor spouts one of Prem Chopra's most famous dialogues.
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The stage too seems to have been inspired by the villain with a Marathi play Prem Naam Hai Mera Prem Chopra doing well. The veteran actor talks about being all over.u00a0u00a0
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Fascination with my name
When I played the character in Bobby and said the dialogue, "Prem naam hai mera u2026 Prem Chopra", Raj Kapoor did not have to explain the character, the audience understood that this character will create a problem. I enjoyed speaking my own name. I am getting publicity because my name is being used. Woh ek chaap lag jati hai. Certain actors have certain symbols. Some of my army friends say that when they go to the officer's bar and have a mock fight, they say, "Don't try to be funny, my name is Prem Chopra." (laughs)u00a0u00a0
Ajay or Ranbir?
I think both of them (do justice to my name). They are both dear to me. I'm playing Ranbir's grandfather in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and he is an amazing actor, such a mature actor. I have done many films with Ajay Devgn. I have also known his father Veeru Devgan; I was in the first movie he directed. I played a positive character then.
I didn't want to be typecast
I started off as a hero in Punjabi and Hindi films. But the Hindi films did not do well commercially. I realised that if I have to stay in Mumbai, I have to be economically well off because my father told me he could not help me. Then I got Saaya, Woh Kaun Thi, Teesri Manzil and I was scared to leave the job because I would not make money then. An actor's commercial success established their stature. In those days there was no other form of entertainment so it was engrained in the minds of the people that this is the hero, this is the villain and this is the comedian. Now leading men play heroes but they always give reasons (for them being bad). The villain's role is actually more interesting than the hero's and this goes down well with the audience.
I was normal
My father was apprehensive about my star image. Once we were in Chandigargh and there were a few couples walking towards us. They saw me and said, "Prem Chopra! Biwiyon ko sambhalo." It was just a prank they were playing on their wives.
Never say die
I am doing an Indo-American movie called Heartland that shows the similarity between farmers in India and Texas. I also did an Indo-UK film on honour killing where I kill my own daughter and after I come out of jail, I am a reformed man. I just had a discussion with Nikhil Advani. He approached me for a role in Patiala House. And I'm also playing a dominating don in Suniel Shetty's next film and also doing a film that has Russell Crowe in it. It's about the Kumbh Mela through his eyes.u00a0u00a0
Favourite roles
Upkaar, Shaheed and Kranti.
Favourite villains
Mr Yakub, Jeevan, Pran and Amrish Puri were very popular. Amrish Puri and I have done theatre in Shimla. He struggled for a long time. The biggest villain has been Hitler.u00a0
Why they used the name Prem Chopra
Rohit Shetty, All The Best:
It just happened. We were giving names to the characters. At the scripting stage, Ajay's character was referred to as Ajay only. Then we decided to call him Prem. One of my ADs suggested we give him the surname Chopra. Mr Chopra messaged Ajay a few days ago and said 'you have used my name well'. We are very happy that he liked the film.u00a0
Sanjay Mone, director of Marathi play, Prem Naam Hai Mera Prem Chopra:
I am a fan of Prem Chopra. I like villains because they follow Krishna's codeu00a0- don't go after the fruits, just do the deed. They know that they won't get the heroine, yet they try.
My play is about a person who thinks that anybody is attainable if you put up a perfect proposal. So I thought about Prem Chopra. The name is catchy and nowhere in the history of plays has a villain's name been used as a brand name.
When we met him, he was absolutely delighted but asked, "Main kyun?" After I narrated the story he said, "Haan, phir toh main hi."
Rajkumar Santoshi, Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani:
There is a situation where the hero is trying to scare the heroine. So he says the dialogue from Bobby. It's just play-acting.
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