Yash Chopra separated from his elder brother Baldev Raj Chopra in 1970. During the same year, he formed Yash Raj Films with the help of financier Gulshan Rai and established himself as a successful filmmaker. However, what followed from 1979 was a decade of struggle. And this period tested his spirit and reshaped his genius as a storyteller.

On October 8, 2025, British PM Keir Starmer visited the Yash Raj Films Studio in Andheri, Mumbai. YRF will produce three films in the UK during the next two years. These movies will be shot in Britain, with post-production also completed there. Around three thousand temporary jobs will be created. Starmer visited the studio to appreciate this decision. Aditya Chopra, the head of Yash Raj Films, did not meet Starmer. He dislikes the spotlight and unnecessary attention. So, he deputed his wife, Rani Mukherji Chopra, and company CEO, Akshaye Widhani, to meet and greet. The path to this glory was not at all easy for Aditya Chopra and his father, Yash Chopra. Before achieving global recognition, there was a phase when even his existence in the industry was under clouds.

Dean Keith Simonton’s Research

Dean Keith Simonton is known for his study of creativity, genius, and productivity. He is a prominent psychologist at the University of California. Findings of his research suggest that artists, scientists, and inventors produce their most impactful work after years of effort, experimentation, and failures. Simonton’s study also highlights that accumulation of experience, prolonged dedication, and setbacks lead to a significant creative achievement.

You might wonder, what does Simonton’s research have to do with Yash Chopra? Well, the filmmaker’s life actually resembles these research findings. His failures built the foundation for his finest years.

A Decade of Setbacks

Yash Chopra’s first film as a director was Dhool Ka Phool (1959). All his films up to Kaala Patthar (1979) were either hits or above average. But his career took a turn with Silsila (1981). Despite its high-profile cast, it failed at the box office. The movie was a way to cash in on the Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Rekha trio. In the same year, Chopra produced Nakhuda, directed by Dilip Naik. It was another commercial failure. His company returned with Sawaal (1982), which failed to create a commercial impact. Later, Chopra produced and directed Mashaal in 1984. The film failed to recover its budget despite Dilip Kumar leading the cast. Faasle (1985) and Vijay (1988) were two more commercial failures produced and directed by Chopra.

Besides critics, even financiers and distributors had written off Chopra. But, he did not give up. Instead, he observed, learned, and rediscovered the types of stories that moved him. And he decided to go with films that have emotions, romance, and the ability to touch hearts.

The Emergence

Chopra’s name, Yash, means success. So, failure was not long-lasting. The string of unsuccessful films finally ended with Chandni (1989). The film, produced and directed by Chopra, was a critical and commercial success. The movie, made with sincerity, brought back the combination of love and music to cinema.

Lamhe (1991), while less appreciated in India, was a success in the overseas market. Parampara (1993), a film signed by Chopra during the 1980s, released and bombed. But no one blamed the director for the disaster. It was in production for several years due to issues with the star cast. Later, films like Darr (1993), Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997), Veer-Zaara (2004), and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) were all hailed as masterpieces.

If we look at Chopra’s filmography through Dean Simonton’s lens, this decade of setbacks (1979–1989) forced Yash Chopra to evolve and emerge as a better storyteller. The period taught him to trust heart over hype, and emotions over formula.

Today, masterpieces from this later period, such as Chandni, Darr, and Veer-Zaara, are often considered even better than earlier classics like Deewar and Kabhi Kabhie.

Awards and Recognition

Yash Chopra received many awards for his contribution to Hindi cinema. In addition to recognition from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), he was conferred as an Officer of the Legion of Honour by France. Chopra also served as a jury member at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival in 2006. Jungfrau Railways in Switzerland has also dedicated a train in his honor, known as the Yash Chopra Train. It runs from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch.

Perhaps the most crucial form of recognition is the unspoken one. No actor or artist has ever spoken or complained about being mistreated by Yash Chopra. And this is a testament to his respectful conduct throughout his career.

“When Chandni was about to be released, people said, ‘Here is Yash Chopra with another flop.’ They said the film has action star Vinod Khanna but no action, so it won’t work. The film proved everyone wrong. I thank God for all the success I have achieved.”

— Yash Chopra

The Legacy Continues

The family’s involvement ensures the legacy continues. Elder son Aditya Chopra has managed key company operations since 2004. Yet, Yash Chopra distributed his company shares equally among Aditya, Uday, and his wife Pamela before his demise in 2012. Following Pamela Chopra’s death in April 2023, Rani Mukerji (Aditya Chopra’s wife) acquired a stake in the company.

Yash Raj Films expanded after 2004, producing three or more films each year. To finance this growth, the company secured funding from the Export-Import Bank of India. They also established the in-house YRF Studio in 2005, which handles post-production, music rights, marketing, and theatrical distribution.

Today, despite recent box office flops, Yash Raj Films remains India’s number one film production company. All these achievements are the direct result of the unwavering efforts put in by Chopra Senior during the 1980s. People were casting doubts about his future in Hindi cinema. He was close to bankruptcy. Yet, decided to stick to heart-centred storytelling going forward and started from zero with Chandni. This decision to persevere through failure, rather than retreat, became his greatest legacy. And there was no looking back since then.

Author Rachel Dwyer’s 2002 book, Yash Chopra (World Directors), offers even deeper insights into his journey. The book is available on several online libraries to read for free.

By- Nitten Gokhaley

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