Baldev Raj Chopra (B.R. Chopra) received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 1998. There was an all round approval for it.

B.R. Chopra was born on 14th April, 1914, he did his M.A. degree from the Lahore University, in English Literature. Having a deep-rooted fascination for films he switched over from higher education to film journalism, this took his family and friends by considerable surprise. He began his career reviewing films for the monthly magazine Cine Herald, and his writing was often strident. To quote from his review of the film "Pavitra Ganga", he wrote that the maker J.K. Nanda deserved to be returned to England, this was in response to the publicity, which proclaimed - "Directed by J.K. Nanda, England Returned".

B. R. Chopra migrated to India in the wake of partition. Initially he tried his luck at Delhi and later moved over to Mumbai. He had earlier attempted to make Chandni Chowk, at Rawalpindi with the help of his father's friends. The music director for Chandni Chowk was Chisti whose assistant was none other than Khayyam. On the day of the recording of the first song, communal riots broke out at Lahore, and the situation rapidly deteriorated. There was no alternative for B. R. Chopra from joining the bands of refugees trekking towards India. With the experience of a film, it was not new for him when in 1948, he produced his first film, Karwat, unfortunately it was a big flop. It was directed by B. D. Vedi, with Nizami as the star. Around this time, he struck up a friendship with Goverdhandas Agarwal who persuaded him to take up direction. It was in 1951 that he directed the film Afsana.

With rare determination, B. R. Chopra went ahead, in Mumbai, to form his own production company, B. R. Films in 1955, with the cherished intention of making purposeful entertainers for family audiences. He turned out a string of purposeful successes including Naya Daur, Dhool Ka Phool, Gumrah, Waqt, Humraaz, and Ittefaq.

Even at the age of 86, B.R. Chopra retains a very keen interest in films. B. R. Films is one of the most successful production companies to have stood the test of time, and today, it is equally known for its TV serials as for motion pictures.

Andhra University conferred on him Doctorate of Letters. He has the distinction of being on the Union Public Service Commission for a number of years. He was member of the Board of Film Censors for a number of years. He was the first recipient of the National Award as Best Director for his film Humraaz (1968). His film Dharamputra (1962) received the National Award as the Best Hindi film. Gumrah also received the same (1963).

In the year (1961) he received Filmfare award for film Kanoon as Best Film. He has served on various Government and trade bodies apart from being President of the Film Producers Council. The National Citizen Award was presented to him by the then Prime Minister Chandrashekhar, for theTV Serial MAHABHARAT. 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 honored 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.

B.R. Chopra was one of the founder directors of the Maharashtra Film and Stage Corporation administering Film City. He served on the Jury of the Berlin Film Festival. He has served on various juries, both National & International in India. Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamboti extolled the cultural contribution for the TV Serial MAHABHARAT, and conferred upon B.R. Chopra the title of Chakravarty. MAHABHARAT created a world record by registering 96% viewership. MAHABHARAT was the first Indian serial to enter in Guineas Book of Records for creating a world record by having been seen by the highest number of viewers. He received awards from Aaj Kal Television, Sahyog Foundation and Upron as producer and director of the Best Serial MAHABHARAT. Asian TV Network Inc. of Canada presented him with an award in appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the Film and TV industry. He received the Manas Ratan Trophy from the Akhil Bhartiya Manas Samiti and award from the International Punjabi Society. Screen Weekly presented him with a special award for lifetime achievement in 1996.

He was honored by being named Chief Guest at the 27th International Film Festival of India held at New Delhi in (1996). He was honored 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 given Lifetime Achievement award by the Sansui Viewers Choice at a function held at New Delhi in October in 1998. The Indian Film Director Association honored him with a Lifetime Achievement award on 30th July 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 '99 naming him as Best Director.

B.R. Chopra received 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 honored with the Cintaa Trophy by the Cine & TV Artiste's Association at the annual General Body Meeting on 17th October 1999. He was honored by MAMI for Lifetime Achievement.

Letter from Pt. Nehru to Dr. B.R. Chopra.

"Last evening I saw your picture Naya Daur. Prince Philip of England who is in India wanted to see a good picture on village life in India. Somebody suggested the name of your picture. I was very tired and did not like to sit for three hours but I thought I could be with Prince Philip for a few minutes and could come back after the picture got going. But the picture was so compelling I sat through the whole film and enjoyed it thoroughly. The photography was excellent and the direction superb. The atmosphere of the village was really very nice."

B.R. Chopra's Filmography