Prem Chopra Movies
For decades -- from the mid-'70s into the late 2000s -- Prem Chopra held court as one of Bollywood's most sought-after movie stars. A thickly featured, stocky character player, Chopra was (unsurprisingly and perhaps inevitably) often cast as distinguished professional types, from military officers to distinguished spiritual, political, and civic leaders, with occasional roles as gun-wielding toughs and a knack for specializing in villainous portrayals. He eventually accumulated a tally of over 400 films in his first 35 years onscreen. The third of six children, Chopra grew up in Lahore and ultimately enrolled in Punjabi University. The actor-to-be acquired an inveterate love of drama during his collegiate years, and classmates often voted him the most gifted actor in various plays. Following graduation, he attempted to break into the Bollywood film industry, but had difficulty and found it necessary to take a job at the Times of India to support himself while awaiting his big break. Chopra owed some of his success to his diverse linguistic abilities, which gave him a foothold in Punjabi and Hindi-language projects. Feature projects included Mera Saaya (1966), Nafrat (1973), Daata (1989), Shikaar (2004), and Money Hai Toh Honey Hai (2008). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide- 2008
Initially ignoring their invitation to a lavish resort by a cranky old man, six strangers ultimately decide to take the trip, and soon find themselves facing off against one another in a heated competition to find out who will become the new owner of the coveted vacation retreat. Bobby is a young planer who aspires to great things, but he's not the only member of this group with great ambition. Also along for the ride is failed businessman Lala Bhai, earnest copy writer Guarav, aspiring model Manik, struggling fashion designer Shruti, and popular television actress Ashima. Each of these contestants was initially under the impression that they were the only person invited, and as tensions begin to flare, it appears unlikely that they will prove capable of running the resort together. As vicious infighting commences among the volatile group, the owner's loyal manager, Parag Batra, begins to manipulate them from behind the scenes in hopes that they will eventually self-implode and he will emerge the true heir to his boss' profitable resort. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Govinda, Aftab Shivdasani, (more)
- 2008
- NR
A quick trip from the USA to India turns into a life-altering journey of self-discovery for a man traveling with his ailing grandmother. Upon arriving in Delhi with his grandmother, Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan) begins to experience an inner transformation that he never anticipated. The ancient walled city is a character unto itself -- embodying the chaos of the Indian people, their beliefs, and their religion -- and before his trip is over Roshan will have fallen deeply in love with Delhi. The pin code of Delhi is 110006, though the locals affectionately refer to it as "DELHI-6." ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, (more)
A pair of attractive small-town misfits become a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde team in this Bollywood blend of comedy, romance, action, and music. Rakesh (Abhishek Bachchan) is a small town schemer with big dreams; born and raised in Fursatganj, Rakesh is certain he's cut out for bigger and better things, and isn't above breaking the law to get what he wants. Vimmi (Rani Mukherjee) comes from a similarly stifling small town, Pankinagar, and thinks of herself as the most beautiful and exciting woman around. Sure she has a career as a model or actress ahead of her, Vimmi heads out for the big city, and along the way she meets Rakesh. Rakesh and Vimmi soon become friends and then lovers, but Rakesh's propensity for getting into trouble soon makes itself known, and before long the couple is wanted by the law. Nicknamed Bunty and Babli by the press, Rakesh and Vimmi are starting to gain the fame and wealth they've always wanted, but Dashrath Singh (Amitabh Bachchan), a ruthless cop with no sense of mercy, is following their path, determined to put them behind bars. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, (more)
A faceless horror from beyond the grave torments two young couples involved in a beauty pageant in this frightful tale from Bollywood horror auteur Shyam Ramsay. A murder has occurred and four teens attempt to cover up the bloody deed by hiding the body. As the pageant draws near, the corpse keeps popping up at the most inopportune times, and it seems that a madman is still on the loose. As darkness falls and the fog rolls in, two beautiful girls with an ugly secret must face their greatest fears when a vengeful terror beyond comprehension emerges from the mist. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A scientist (director Rakesh Roshan) invents a computer to send sounds into outer space. Using the sound "Aum," he makes contact with an alien life form, but his fellow scientists laugh at his claims. Despondent, he drives home with his wife (Rekha). A spaceship interrupts their journey, and causes the excited Sanjay to crash. He is killed and his unborn child is injured in the accident. Rohit (Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan) grows up brain-damaged. He's stuck in a class with much younger kids and longs to advance academically, but he continually flunks. On top of that, he and his young friends are frequently bullied by Raj (Rajat Bedi) and his gang of thugs. Then Nisha (Preity Zinta), a beautiful young woman, moves to town. After a couple of comic misunderstandings, Nisha takes an interest in Rohit. Rohit asks Nisha to teach him computers, and they dig up his father's old device, inadvertently sending another message into space. Soon, another ship arrives, and this time, a funny little blue alien is left behind. Rohit takes the little one in, and soon finds himself being magically healed. Suddenly, he can see without his glasses, and soon he develops a quick mind and superhuman strength. Not only that -- he can dance. So he and his friends call the alien "Jadoo." Raj grows jealous of all the time Nisha is spending with Rohit. He finds that now Rohit is strong enough to defend himself. But the authorities are searching for Jadoo, and Rohit is determined to keep his little friend safe, no matter what the cost. Director Rakesh Roshan last directed his son, Hrithik, in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai, the film that made him a star. The big-budget Koi...Mil Gaya was promoted as the first science fiction film to come out of Bollywood. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, (more)
- 1989
The Hindi-language adventure Dav Pech concentrates on the exploits of one Jeetendra (that's how the actor was billed). A Robin Hood for the '80s, Jeetendra goes the rob-the-rich-give-to-the-poor route -- and there are plenty of poor in India. Purifying the hood's larcenous activities is the fact that he steals primarily from big-time criminals. Thus it is that he spends the balance of the film running away from both the cops and the crooks. At 151 minutes, Dav Pech might be a hard pill to swallow for American audiences. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Daata is a traditional revenge tale elevated by the novelty of its East-Indian cast and settings. Mithun Chakraborty plays a college student, dedicated to his studies and devoted to his father and sister. In Chakraborty's absence, slimy moneylender Prem Chopra victimizes the boy's family. Left penniless, both father and sister commit suicide. The latter half of the film is consumed by Chakraborty's revenge scheme. Daata was based on a story by M. Akhtar, who collaborated on the script. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mithun Chakraborty, Padmini Kolhapure, (more)
- 1977
Filled with difficult plot twists, Daag tells the story of a young Indian couple, who experience an uncommon number of reverses and setbacks in the course of their lives. When the husband accidentally kills a man bent on ravishing his wife, or at least ruining her honor, he is carted off to jail. Before he can arrive safely in jail, he has an accident which leads everyone to believe he must be dead. The wife, now pregnant with their child, earns her living for some years as a schoolteacher until the administration all of a sudden decides that having the wife of a murderer teach their children is not a good idea. She is taken in by a friend, who has been married all this time to the first woman's theoretically dead husband -- who now lives under a new identity. Soon, even more things happen to this fateful couple. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, (more)
