Baldev Raj Chopra was an Indian director and producer of Bollywood movies and television serials. He was a world famous personality who has delivered many masterpiece works for the film industry. Best known for making Hindi films like "Naya Daur", "Sadhna", "Kanoon", "Gumrah" and "Humraaz" and the TV Series, "Mahabharat" in the late 1980s, he was awarded the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’ in 1998. B.R. Chopra passed away in Mumbai on 5 November 2008 at the age of 94.

His younger brother Yash Chopra, son Ravi Chopra and nephew Aditya Chopra are also directors in the Bollywood industry. His nephew Uday Chopra is an actor and producer.

Early Life of B.R.Chopra
B.R. Chopra was born in Lahore, 1914, to an accountant in the PWD administration of the British Punjab Administration. After graduating, he did his M.A. degree in English Literature from Lahore University. Having a deep-rooted fascination for films, he switched over from a higher education to film journalism, surprising his family. He began his celluloid career writing and editing film reviews for the "Cine Herald" journal.

Career of B. R. Chopra
Earlier Chopra attempted to make a movie "Chandni Chowk". As the production of the movie was about to begin riots broke out in Lahore. Along with his family he fled from there. Later after the partition in 1947, he moved to Delhi and then to Mumbai. In 1948 he produced his first film, "Karwat" but eventually it was a flop at the box office. In 1951 he directed his first film "Afsana" which portrayed a dual role of Ashok Kumar in the movie. He next directed the movie "Chandni Chowk", with Meena Kumari in the lead. B. R. Chopra formed his own production house B.R. Films in the year 1955. He did it with the intention of making purposeful entertainers for family audience and was successful in making some of the remarkable movies like "Naya Daur", "Dhool Ka Phool", "Gumrah", "Waqt", "Humraaz" and "Ittefaq".

B. R. Films have been equally famous for its TV serials as well as motion pictures. B. R. Chopra’s "Mahabharat" is one of India’s most successful TV series in history and has been repeatedly telecasted on TV networks. Mahabharat was the first Indian serial to enter in Guinness Book of Records for registering highest viewership. Another of his memorable TV drama is "Bahadur Shah Zafar".

Awards and Honours of B. R. Chopra
B.R.Chopra has received awards from ‘Aaj Kal Television’, ‘Sahyog Foundation’ and ‘Upron’ as producer and director of the "Best Serial" for "Mahabharat". B.R. Chopra was conferred upon the title of ‘Chakravarty’ for the same. Andhra University conferred on him ‘Doctorate of Letters’. He was the first recipient of the ‘National Award’ as "Best Director" for his film "Humraaz" in the year 1968. His film "Dharamputra", received the ‘National Award’ as the "Best Hindi Film" in 1962. "Gumrah" also received the same in 1963. In the year 1961 B. R. Chopra received Filmfare award for "Kanoon" as "Best Film". For "Mahabharat" he got the ‘National Citizen Award’ from the then Prime Minister Chandrasekhar. The ‘Udyog Rattan Award’ was presented to him by Rashtrapati Zail Singh in recognition of his outstanding work in the field of industry. Giants International honoured him with an award in recognition of his vital and significant contribution in promoting excellence in Indian Cinema, particularly towards fostering common goodwill in society.

Asian TV Network Inc. of Canada presented him with an award in appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the Film and TV industry. He has received the ‘Manas Ratan Trophy’ from the Akhil Bhartiya Manas Samiti and award from the International Punjabi Society as well. Screen weekly presented him with a special award for ‘Lifetime Achievement’ in 1996. He was also honoured with ‘Legendary Pearl Award’ at the 1st East Asia Film & TV Conference held at Penang, Malaysia. He received the ‘Maharashtra Ratna Award’ for 1998 from Maharashtra Kalaniketan. He was also given ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the Sansui Viewers Choice in 1998. The Indian Film Director Association honoured him with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 1998. He received the ‘Swatantara Award’ and ‘Jayanti Udyog Vibhushan Award’ at the 14th Economic Development Conference sponsored by Institute of Trade & Industrial Development, Delhi. The Delhi Telugu Academy awarded him the ‘Ugadi Puraskar’ in 1999 as ‘Best Director’. B.R. Chopra has also bagged a special award from IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers Association) for his outstanding contribution to the Indian Film Industry. He received the ‘Bhartiya Sanskriti Puraskar’, presented by Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, for the TV Serial "Mahabharat". B.R. Chopra was also honoured with the ‘Cintaa Trophy’ by the Cine & TV Artiste’s Association at the annual General Body Meeting in 1999. He was honoured by MAMI for ‘Lifetime Achievement’ as well. In 1998 he received the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’.

Filmography of B.R.Chopra as Director-Producer

"Naya Daur" (1957)

"Sadhana" (1958)

"Kanoon" (1961)

"Gumrah" (1963)

"Humraz" (1967)

"Dastan" (1972)

"Dhund" (1973)

"Karm" (1977)

"Pati Patni Aur Woh" (1978)

"Insaf Ka Tarazoo" (1980)

"Nikaah" (1982)

"Awam" (1987)

"Kal Ki Awaz" (1992)

Filmography of B.R.Chopra as Director

"Afsana" (1951)

"Chandni Chowk" (1954)

"Ek Hi Raasta" (1956)

"Tawaif" (1985)

Filmography of B.R.Chopra as Producer

"Dhool Ka Phool" (1959)

"Dharm Putra" (1962)

"Waqt" (1965)

"Ittefaq" (1969)

"Admi Aur Insan" (1970)

"Zameer" (1975)

"Chhoti Si Bat"(1976)

"The Burning Train" (1980)

"Agnee Pareeksha" (1982)

"Mazdoor" (1983)

"Aaj Ki Awaaz" (1984)

"Kirayedar" (1986)

"Dahleez" (1986)

"Pratigyabadh" (1991)

"Baghban" (2003)

"Babul" (2006)