Prem Chopra

His screen space got reduced in the films after 2005.

After 1999, he appeared as a villain in very few films.

He took up positive character roles from 1999 and started getting more positive roles from 2005.

Later after 1999 Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Koi Mil Gaya, Bunty aur Bubli, Virrudh, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, Dhamaal, Rocket Singh, Delhi 6, Daddy Cool. had him in positive roles.

Prem Chopra was also honored with the "Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award" in 1998, the "Lions Club Award", "Ashoka Award", "Ashirwad Award" and the "Punjabi Kala Sangam Award". In 2004, Prem Chopra won the "Legend of Indian Cinema" Award at Atlantic City (United States).

Prem Chopra represented India as Grand Marshall in Chicago on August 15th, 1993 during the Independence Day Parade. There he was honored by the Chicago Mayor as the 'Honarary Citizen of Chicago' and felicitated by the Federation of Indian Association with an award for outstanding contribution to humanitarian causes and enriching the Indian community in India and abroad.

Even in 1990's he played the role of main villain to younger generation heroes like in Jagriti to Salman Khan, in Aflatoon to Akshay Kumar, in Anari no. 1, Dulhe Raja to Govinda and later played villain in Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! In 2005 where Shahid Kapoor was the hero.

In very few films in 70s and 80s Prem Chopra played secondary villain to main villainous characters of Ajit, Madan Puri, Pran, Jeevan and in late 80's he played second fiddle to Amrish Puri only in few films like Awaaz, Shahenshah. After Mr. India in 1987, Prem Chopra was asked in few films like Shahenshah, Aaj Ka Arjun to play Amirsh Puri's henchman but Prem Chopra accepted it without ego-hassles. Amirsh Puri had played Prem Chopra's henchman in Dostana, Imman Dharam and minuscule role in Naseeb. Otherwise in majority of the films from 1969-1991 - Prem Chopra was the main villain.Infact in Rajesh Khanna's films from 1969-1991, Prem Chopra was always the main villain and was never given henchman's role except in Awaaz.

Prem also mouthed dialogs in the song Lo Mera Pyar Lelo from Nafrat in 1973 with Asha Bhosle and Kab Se Ye Dil Hai Pyaasa from Mera Muqaddar in 1988.

In the critically acclaimed comedy film Hulchul (1971), played the lead hero in this suspense thriller and was not a villain and Prem was leading man in Kunwari(1966), Samaj Ko Badal Dalo(1970).

Prem Chopra played the main lead in 1970 box-office hit small budget comedy film Samaj Ko Badal Dalo as lead hero and was paired opposite Tamil actresses Kanchana and Shardha.

The song sung by Rafi and pictured on Prem Chopra -Tum Apni Saheli Ko Itna Bata Do Ki Usse Koi Pyar Karne Laga Hai from this 1970 film continues to be popular.

The duo of Rajesh-Prem worked in 19 films from 1969 till Ghar Parivaar in 1991.

After Upkaar in 1967 he left The Times of India. As a villain, he gained fame all round India when he acted with Superstar Rajesh Khanna in Do Raaste.

His peak period in Hindi films as a villain has been from 1967 to 1991.

He has ever since 1967 been a leading villain in Hindi films. The dialogs "My name is Prem, Prem Chopra" from the film Bobby and from the film Souten "Mai wo bala hu jo sheshay se pathar ko todtee hai" which closely translates to "I am that trouble which crushes stones with glass" are immensely popular.

Prem has since 1966 been a leading villain in Hindi films and his peak period as main villain in Hindi films was from 1967-1994. In 70's he got plum roles as a villain often with Sujith Kumar and Ranjeet.

His performances from 1965-67 in hit films like Sikandar E Azam ,Nishan,Kunwari,Teesri Manzil ,Mera Saaya and Upkar showcased his versatility. After Teesri Manzil and Upkaar he was flooded with films as a villain.

Prem Chopra continued working with TOI, when already he was part of box-office hits like Nishan,Sikandar E Azam in 1965 and Sagaai, Mera Saaya in 1966.

Chopra regards his best roles and costumes were in Shaheed (1965), Sikander-e-Azam (1965), Kunwari (1966), Upkaar (1967),Do Raaste (1969), Purab Aur Pachhim(1970), Kati Patang (1970), Keemat(1973), Ajanabee(1974),Prem Nagar(1974), Kaala Sona (1975), Mehbooba(1976), Do Anjaane (1976),Jaadu Tona (1977), Tyaag (1977), Dostana (1980), Kranti (1981), Souten, Oonche Log (1985), Phool Bane Angaarey (1991), Bewaffa Se Waffa(1992). Prem played positive roles with large screen space in few films in 60's to 90's like in Shaheed, Kuwari, Samaj Ko Badal Dalo, Hulchul, Jadu Tona, Prem Pratigya.

But he didn't have much hit Hindi films till 1964 with exception of his debut Punjabi hit films Karnail Singh and Sapni.

Next in 1964 he played Sukhdev in Shaheed, one of his rare positive leading roles which became hit.

In 1961, he finally got his break in a Punjabi film Chaudhary Karnail Singh , which won a National Award and got Prem the recognition he wanted. He then gave a commendable performance in another Punjabi film Sapni (1963).

He watched a lot of Hindi and English movies and, after graduation, came to Bombay in the early 1960's and joined the Times of India's circulation department due to his art's degree. Simultaneously, he kept visiting studios and tried to get a break in films. He kept trying to get a break in films.

Prem Chopra made his debut in Bollywood with the Bharat Bhushan-starer Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh in 1960, which didn't do well.

In 1960 he got a Punjabi film Chaudhary Karnail Singh opposite established star Jabeen Jalil and the film won a National Award and got Prem noticed.

Shimla had a strong theater movement in the period 1957-1961 and Chopra reveled in it.

Prem Chopra is an actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. Prem Chopra was born to a Hindu Punjabi family in Lahore on 23 September 1935 to Ranbirlal and Rooprani Chopra. He was third of six children. His father worked at the attorney-general's office. He was brought up in Shimla. His father wanted him to be a IAS officer but Chopra pursued performing arts in College and graduated in arts from Punjab University.