Yash Chopra, jewel in Punjab's crown

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Chandigarh: The boy who once walked barefoot in the by-lanes of Punjab has been made the first ‘jewel of Punjab’. The Punjab government has conferred its first Punjab Rattan award to veteran Bollywood director, Yash Chopra — the ultimate dream merchant of Bollywood.

While giving away the award, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh said that Yash Chopra’s film, Veer Zaara, played a seminal role in bringing together India and Pakistan.

Singh added that with a career spanning over four decades, Chopra has contributed immensely towards the promotion of Punjabi culture and cinema.

“Yashji might have gone from Punjab, but Punjab has not gone from Yashji,” lyricist, Javed Akhtar said.

On the occasion, Cultural Affairs Minister Partap Singh Bajwa read the citation and described Chopra as the living legend of the Indian film industry.

Out of the 35 films that Chopra has made, six have won National Awards, nine Filmfare awards including, four best director awards.

A 28-minute film on Chopra’s works was also screened at the ceremony.

Chopra said that he was indebted to Punjab government for bestowing this honour on him.

"I have no words to express my sentiments for the love and affection shown by Capt. Singh for Veer Zara. Capt Singh even took the DVDs of the film to present them to President and Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief Minister of west Punjab" Chopra said.

Actor Anupam Kher who has worked on several films with Chopra said, “It feels great when you are honored by the place where you grew up.”