MahabharatDharmputra,GumrahHumraazKanoonMahabharatDharmputra,GumrahHumraazKanoon
B.R. Films was founded by Baldev Raj Chopra who was an ace director and producer of Bollywood movies and television serials. Best known for making Hindi films like Naya Daur (1957), Sadhna (1958), Kanoon (1961), Gumrah (1963) and Humraaz (1967) and the TV series, Mahabharat in the late 1980s, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1998.
Chopra started his career with Karwat, began in 1948, though it turned out to be a flop. His first film as a director, Afsana, was released in 1951 and featured Ashok Kumar in a double role – the film was a hit and established his name in Bollywood. Chopra made Chandni Chowk, with Meena Kumari as a lead, in 1954. In 1955, B.R. formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was the highly successful Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit. In 1963, he was a member of the jury at the 13th Berlin International Film Festival.
BR Chopra always wanted to adapt the complex sweep of the Mahabharata for the big screen, but he wasn’t sure about the scope he could capture in a feature film. Instead of the song and dance routine, Chopra always favoured the idea of exploring social issues in his films, and he did so minus any fear of box office failure.
In 80's when Doordarshan, India’s national broadcaster, got in touch with BR Chopra's production house to explore the possibility of an adaptation of Maharabharat. This was also the time when Ramanand Sagar was approached for the adaptation of the Ramayana, and in no time, both Sagar and Chopra were ready with a few episodes to showcase what they were capable of. Looking at the expanse they would cover, and the pan-India appeal, there was no dearth of sponsors. Mahabharat had more dramatic value, leaving things ambiguous, and revealing a lot of uncomfortable truths. Something more than mythology, populated by believable beings, riddled by moral, amoral and more were coming to life. Indeed, it was a miracle if you consider the nascent age of Indian television and the ripe handling of the subject.
A filmmaker par excellence, Chopra was conferred the Indian government's highest honour to a film personality - the Dadasaheb Phalke Award - in 1998. Chopra was also presented the National Citizen Award for the TV serial Mahabharat and received the National Awards for Dharmputra,Gumrah and Humraaz. In 1961, he won the Filmfare award for Kanoon, which was adjudged the best film. This apart, Chopra won multifarious awards throughout his career.