Renowned director-producer B.R. Chopra was felicitated for completing 50 years in the Hindi film industry.
Speaking after the felicitation Thursday evening in Mumbai, Mr. Chopra, who made his first directorial venture in 1951 with 'Afsana', said the honour was a big occasion in his life.
Reflecting on his long journey in Bollywood, the 90-year-old film- maker revealed that he never wanted to come into films and that he was interested in reading and writing about them.
''I never wanted to be in the film industry and had tried for a career in the civil service. However, once I entered the world of Hindi films, it became an integral part of my life.'' Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister and veteran actor Sunil Dutt , who felicitated Chopra, said he was an institution in himself.
Dutt said Chopra deserved more than what he has got and he should be honoured for his achievements by no less than the Prime Minister.
The Mumbai MP said Chopra had played an important role in boosting his career in Bollywood.
Showering encomiums on the veteran director, Dutt said Chopra had perhaps taken more risks than anybody else in the industry by making films that were ahead of their times and sought to usher in social changes through them.
''At a time when the society was orthodox, Mr. Chopra made films like 'Ek Hi Raasta' (1956-on widow remarriage) and 'Sadhna' (rehabilitation of commercial sex workers).'' 'Gumrah' (which starred Dutt) was a modern love story of that time, the minister said.
Dutt said Chopra continued his achievements on the small screen also with his record-breaking success of the TV serial 'Mahabharat'.
Chopra has maintained Indian values and traditions and he has a close-knit family at a time when 'modernity' is taking its toll on human lives, Dutt said.
Chopra was honoured at 'Locations 2004', a forum to bring together Indian and foreign film fraternity and tourism sector under a single platform.
Former Mumbai Sheriff Kiran Shantaram, film personality Shakti Samant, Ravi Chopra were among those present on the occasion.
Renowned director-producer 