“My name is Prem Chopra….” When a stranger offered me acting in a local train and one mistake made me a villain

Entertainment News Desk !!! Prem Chopra (English: Prem Chopra; born- 23 September, 1935, Lahore) is an Indian actor of Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in 320 films during more than 50 years. Prem Chopra plays the villain in most films. The film “Bobby” released in the year 1973 proved to be a milestone for Prem Chopra's cinema career. In this film directed by Raj Kapoor, the first showman of Indian cinema, he appeared in a small role of a rowdy goon. His dialogue in this film “Prem naam hai mera, Prem Chopra” is still fresh in the minds of the audience.

Prem Chopra was born on 23 September 1935 in Lahore, Punjab (now Pakistan). Prem is known as a famous villain of Indian cinema. His father's name is Ranbirlal and mother's name is Rooprani Chopra. He is the third among six siblings. Prem Chopra's father was a government employee.

Shiprem Chopra received his education in Shimla and graduated from Punjab University. During this time, he used to participate in plays. Prem's father wanted him to become a doctor, but after graduation, he came to Mumbai and soon entered Indian cinema. Meanwhile, his mother died due to cancer. During this time, his sister Anju was only 9 years old. The responsibility of Anju was now on Prem Chopra, his other four brothers and father. Prem considered Anju as his first daughter and started raising her.

Prem Chopra is married to Uma, the sister of Raj Kapoor's wife Krishna. Renowned writer and director Lekh Tandon had proposed this marriage to Prem. Uma and Krishna have been Indian cinema actors. Uma and Krishna are sisters of Rajendra Nath and Prem Nath.

Uma and Prem have three daughters. Rakita, Punita and Prerna. Elder daughter Rakita married screen writer and publicity designer Rahul Nanda. Similarly, middle daughter Punita married singer and TV actor Vikas Bhalla. Younger daughter Prerna's husband Sharman Joshi is making his career in Bollywood films. Prem Chopra has 6 grandchildren. Rakita and Rahul Nanda have a daughter named Risha. Punita and Vikas Bhalla have a daughter Sanchi and son Veer. Prerna and Sharman Joshi have daughter Khyana and twins Vihaan and Varyan.

After completing his graduation, Prem Chopra decided that he would make his mark in the film industry as an actor. Although his father wanted him to become a doctor, he clearly told his father that he wanted to become an actor. To fulfill his dream, he came to Mumbai in the late 1950s. After coming to Mumbai, Prem Chopra had to face many difficulties. To earn his living, he started working in the circulation department of Times of India. During this time, he got an opportunity to work in a Punjabi film “Chaudhary Karnail Singh”. This film released in the year 1960 became a superhit and he was successful to some extent in making his mark among the audience.

In 1964, Prem Chopra's important film “Woh Kaun Thi” was released. The hero of the film directed by Raj Khosla was Manoj Kumar and the heroine was Sadhna. Prem Chopra appeared in the role of a villain in this film full of mystery and thrill. The film was successful and he appeared as a villain in Hindi films.

After this, an important film of Prem Chopra “Shaheed” was released in 1965. In this film full of patriotic spirit, he won the hearts of the audience with his character. After this, he got a chance to act in films like “Teesri Manzil” and “Mera Saaya”. In 1967, Prem Chopra got an opportunity to work in director Manoj Kumar's film “Upkar”. He played the role of Manoj Kumar's brother in this film made on the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”. After the success of the film “Upkar”, Prem Chopra started getting offers for many good and big budget films, which included films like “Around the World”, “Jhuk Gaya Aasman”, “Doli”, “Do Raaste”, “Purab Aur Paschim” and “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”.

The 1973 film “Bobby” proved to be a milestone in Prem Chopra's film career. In this film, directed by Raj Kapoor, the first showman of Indian cinema, he appeared in a small role of a rowdy goon. His dialogue in this film “Prem naam hai mera, Prem Chopra” is still fresh in the minds of the audience. Prem Chopra was also given the Filmfare Award as a supporting actor for the 1976 film “Do Anjaane”. The 1983 film “Sautan” is counted among Prem Chopra's important films. Directed by Sawan Kumar, this film featured Rajesh Khanna, Padmini Kolhapuri and Tina Munim in lead roles. His dialogue in this film “Main woh bala hoon jo sheeshe se patthar ko todta hun” was well-liked. Prem Chopra has acted in about 300 films so far in his four-decade-long film career.

Prem Chopra was also given the Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actor for the 1976 film “Do Anjaane”.