April 15 – “Prem Naam Hai Mera” is now much more than the menacing, memorable dialogue mouthed by veteran screen villain Prem Chopra. It is the title of Chopra’s biography, which was unveiled in the presence of Bollywood veterans Amitabh Bachchan, Manoj Kumar, Rakesh Roshan along with contemporary superstar Akshay Kumar at a glittering event.
Akshay formally unveiled the book, talking about his recent association with Prem Chopra during the shooting of Housefull 2 . The 230- page book chronicles the life and career of the iconic villain and is penned by Chopra’s daughter Rakita Nanda.
The biography is a detailed narration of the actor’s eventful life who has been active on the Bollywood screen for decades. ” I did not have anything interesting to suggest about my life.
My daughter went to meet my old friends, co- actors, colleagues, filmmakers, my old neighbours and whoever I was associated with to give an elaborate detail of my life,” said Chopra. ” I was honest and a hard working actor. I am happy with the kind of work I have done. I have no regrets. I am happy being a villain,” said Prem Chopra.
Rakita said she took up writing only because she wanted the world to know about the life led by her father. She has given an insight on why Prem Chopra was always keen to do the negative roles. ” He always found it far more challenging,” said Rakita.
The actor now 78 has worked in as many as 320 films over nearly 50 years. He is known for his roles in films like Teesri Manzil , Woh Kaun Thi , Do Raaste and Kati Patang . Clippings chronicled by Prem Chopra’s wife over the past 45 years have also been incorporated in the book.
-INDIA TODAY
