With the sudden demise of filmmaker Ravi Chopra the film industry lost an intelligent filmmaker who played a pivotal role in revolutionizing hi-tech expertise in Bollywood with his multi starrer movie THE BURNING TRAIN (1980) inspired from Hollywood disaster movies of the 1970s, like THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE and THE TOWERING INFERNO, a genre never attempted in Bollywood.
Readers would be surprised to know that Ravi Chopra was the First film director to import VFX team from 20th Fox to give the thrilling special effects and succeeded to a certain extent. Though the movie was a failure it set standards for hi-technology in Bollywood.
Son of legendary filmmaker B.R.Chopra and nephew of another great film maker Yash Chopra, Ravi Chopra made his debut with Amitabh Bachchan starrer ZAMEER (1975) and hold the distinction of directing thespian Dilip Kumar too in his movie MAZDOOR (1983) but lady was not on his side. Finally fortune smiled when he took to small screen and made the television serial MAHABHARAT, which was aired during 1988-1990. The serial established him as a competent director.
His second inning in Bollywood with BAGHBAN (2003) AND BAABUL (2006) both staring Amiatbh Bachchan in the lead roles, hit the bull’s eye. Later with BHOOTHNATH and BHOOTNATH RETURNS he gave a new lease of life to film director Vivek Sharma. Lamenting the death of Ravi Chopra, said, “He was my ‘Baghban’, in other words my mentor. He was a true angel, one of the purest souls. I will miss him always.”
According to a close relative of the Chopra, “He was diagnosed with a severe lung ailment and had underwent treatment for Lung Cancer at CMC Vellore. “ He added, “He was admitted in Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai for lung ailment and passed away at around 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday.”
The entire film industry mourned his demise. Farha Khan said, “He was one of the nicest, kindest and big hearted souls in the film industry.” Madhur Bhandarkar in his condolence message said, “I am saddened to hear about demise of Ravi Chopraji. Apart from being a fine filmmaker, he was also a very nice human being.”
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