‘My wife would tell our daughters that I’m not a bad guy’
Veteran actor Prem Chopra might have been the most hated villain on screen during the ’70s and ’80s but he is happy that the ‘villain’ tag got him so much love from his fans. While everyone loved to hate him in those roles, we asked him how his family reacted. “I have three daughters, and in those years, we used to have private projections on screen, so I often used to take them along for these previews,” recalls the 81-year-old, adding, “They used to be quite apprehensive about the fact that their father is such a big comedian at home and a careful dad, but now what is he doing in that particular scene in a film.” He does admit that his family members had issues with his on-screen portrayals of villainous characters in films, but his wife stood by him.
“Since my wife, Uma Chopra (also the younger sister of Krishna Raj Kapoor), knows the industry inside out, she used to tell our daughters that this is your father’s job and he is not a bad guy in real life. She’d explain that because of his success, in whatever capacity he works, he is providing them with the best of house, food and education. So, they always stood by my side,” he recalls.
Chopra, who recently did a cameo in an ensemble film, says it’s a great feeling when people appreciate veterans even after many years. “I was in Goa when the film released, and so many people wanted a photograph with me. Nowadays, everybody wants a selfie. It’s a great feeling to know that your fans still accept you.”
In those years, we used to have private projections on screen, so I often used to take them along for these previews. PREM CHOPRA, ACTOR