I faced a lot of rejections, failures and humiliation: Prem Chopra

Even at 81, veteran actor

Prem Chopra (left) exudes the same charm that he did during the ’70s and ’80s when he portrayed the villainous characters on- screen. Though, the actor has slowed down when it comes to the number of films he takes up, he is content that he did it all in his career of five decades.

“There is a feeling of fulfilment because there was a phase in the beginning where I had to face failures, humiliation and rejections, but eventually I stayed on because I was determined to stay,” says Chopra,when asked to look back at his journey in films. The actor, who became the most loved and popular villain on-screen, is best remembered for films such as Poorab Aur Paschim (1970), Bobby (1973), Shahenshah (1988), Raja Babu (1994) etc.

50 years on, he says with a lot of pride, that he decided to hang on there and made it big on his own. “50 years is a long time. There were people who were desperate but unable to get jobs. I’m fortunate that I’m still being offered films,” he says.

Chopra, who was last seen in Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2017), says after spending a long time in the industry, he now takes the liberty to decide what films he wants to do. “There have been scripts that I liked and I did those films on my own terms and conditions. I should be grateful to God. And I’m grateful to my fans who have been tolerating me for so long,” he adds.

50 years is a long time. I’m fortunate that I’m still being offered films, though I take them up on my own terms and conditions PREM CHOPRA, ACTOR ■