Happy Birthday, Prem Chopra! The veteran actor, known for portraying some of Bollywood’s most infamous villains, has always received affection off-screen. When discussing iconic baddies from the golden era of cinema, Prem Chopra’s name undoubtedly stands out. As he celebrates another year, he once remarked in an interview that it is “wrong to reveal one’s age because all the beautiful girls run away.”

Though he portrayed some of the most hated characters in films, those who know him describe him as one of the kindest people they’ve ever met. Far from his on-screen persona, Chopra is a real-life charmer. In an old chat with Indian Express on his 82nd birthday, Chopra was asked about his birthday plans and he jokingly added, “This is wrong. You guys reveal our age and all the beautiful girls run away. Life starts at 80”. 

With a career spanning over six decades, Chopra has etched his name as one of the most unforgettable antagonists in Indian cinema. His on-screen persona of a cunning, ruthless villain often stood in stark contrast to his real-life charm and politeness, making him a beloved figure both within the industry and among fans.

Chopra’s career took off with films like Upkar (1967) and Do Raaste (1969), but it was his menacing roles in classics such as Kati Patang (1970), Bobby (1973), and Kala Sona (1975) that cemented his status as the quintessential villain. His catchphrase “Prem naam hai mera, Prem Chopra” from Bobby remains one of the most memorable dialogues in Bollywood history.

Chopra was last seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. In an interview with India Today, Chopra discussed his thoughts on Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in Animal and why he would be an ideal choice to portray him in a biopic. Referring to Kapoor, Chopra expressed admiration for his acting abilities, noting that his portrayal in Animal truly impressed him. According to Chopra, Ranbir has already established himself as a superstar, making him a fitting choice to take on the role of Prem Chopra in a biographical film.

As he turns 88, Prem Chopra continues to be celebrated as a legend, whose roles have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. 

Triptii Dimri became the national crush after her stint in Ranbir Kapoor-led movie, Animal last year. Her stardom rose manifold with people wanting to see more of her on the big screen. But even before the audience saw her performance as Zoya in the Sandeep Reddy Vanga actioner, she had joined the team of Raaj Shaandilyaa’s Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. Hence, the team of the upcoming comedy film was able to celebrate her success on the sets.

During an interaction with Zoom, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video helmer Raaj Shaandilyaa stated that today, Triptii Dimri has become an ‘International Crush’. He revealed that they signed the actress for the upcoming movie before Animal was released. While he didn’t expect her to become an overnight sensation, he was sure that the audience would love her for what she has done in Animal. He further added that they celebrated the success of Ranbir Kapoor’s film on the sets of VVKWWV and successfully wrapped up the movie. “Every day on set was like a celebration. We never got bored working with the same people each day,” Raaj told the publication. 

The filmmaker also took the opportunity to praise Triptii Dimri and her acting skills. Shaandilyaa divulged that the Qala actress has the hunger to do something new every day. Hence, they gave her a character in the film that she has never done in her career till now. When the audience watches the film, they will realize that her character, Vidya, should be celebrated. He concluded by saying that while her skill is reflected in the trailer, her work in the movie is several times better.

For the uninformed, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video is bankrolled by T-Series Films, Balaji Telefilms, and Wakaoo Films In Association with Kathavachak Films. The romantic comedy also stars Rajkummar Rao as the male lead, along with actors like Vijay Raaz, Mallika Sherawat, Mast Ali, Archana Puran Singh, Mukesh Tiwari, Saharsh Kumar Shukla, Archana Patel, Rakesh Bedi, Tiku Talsania, Ashwini Kalsekar and others with several stars making special appearances. The entertainer will be theatrically released on October 11, 2024.