One of the most revered figures in Indian cinema, Yash Chopra, died this Sunday, October 21, at the age of 80. He was cremated on Monday before the release of his latest film "Jab Tak Hain Jaan." Yahoo India reports that his last rites were performed at the Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai.
According to reports, the 80-year-old actor passed away in Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital of dengue fever. He was diagnosed with dengue on October 13. A hospital source told the Times of India, "He had been suffering from complications of dengue for a long time. He suffered from multi organ failure, because of which he died."
Chopra was known as the "king of romance," he revolutionized Indian cinema with surreal locations (Switzerland and other European places), glamorous actors, love-songs (which have now become synonymous with Indian cinema) and of course -visceral, fairytale love-stories.
It would be hard to list all of movies which have made a permanent mark not just on Indian cinema, but the culture, ideals, minds and hearts of the people of India. Some of his most remembered movies as a director are Dewaar, Silsiley, Kabhi Kabhi, Daag, Waqt, Chandani, Dil Toh Pagaal Hain and Veer Zara. He also owns one of the largest production homes "Yash Chopra Productions," which churns out multiple star-studded films every year. His elder son Aditya Chopra is also a renowned filmmaker and producer.
Many Bollywood big names such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shahruk Khan, Juhi Chawla, Rekha, Sridevi, Karan Johar et al owe a huge part of their fame and success to Chopra. Many of the Bollywood youngsters called him "Yash Uncle," while others referred to him as "Yash ji" (Yash sir).
His influence in the industry is evident by Bollywood's reaction. In addition to attending his last rites, various stars took to twitter to mourn the loss of the great romancer. Here is what some Bollywood stars had to say:
Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit1): Just got the news that Yashji passed on. He was one of the giants of cinema. My deepest condolences to his family. We will all miss him.
Boman Irani (@bomanirani): If you asked him for a favor, he would be the one following it up. Then when you thanked him, he would fend it off with a joke..everytime!!!
Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar): I'm in shock and numb, can't believe the news, the man who immortalized love, Mr. Yash Chopra is no more. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to the family.
Shahrukh Khan took to Facebook saying, "Whenever my loved ones depart...ı feel a part of me extinguishes itself with them. Will there comes a day that I will no longer have a bit of myself to let go of? And then the thought follows...that every time they have taken some of me with them onto theır last journey, I have found a fragment of them left inside me too...I will always have some love to give and I will always be both emptied and replenished by the loved ones I lose. I keep u wıth me Yashjı and I mıss u too Yashjı...lots."
Chopra's latest film "Jab Tak Hain Jaan,"starring Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif will release November 13.
