Bollywood homage to Yash Chopra

Indian Bollywood actors, from left to right, Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan, and Anushka Sharma acknowledge fans during a promotional event for their new film "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" in Jalandhar, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" is the last film directed by Yash Chopra, the producer and director who established Yashraj Films. Chopra died last month. (AP Photo/Davinder Luther)

Indian Bollywood actors, from left to right, Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan, and Anushka Sharma acknowledge fans during a promotional event for their new film "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" in Jalandhar, India, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" is the last film directed by Yash Chopra, the producer and director who established Yashraj Films. Chopra died last month. (AP Photo/Davinder Luther)

Published Nov 14, 2012

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THE stars turned out in strength for a final homage to movie mogul Yash Chopra at the premiere of his last film, which released in India on Tuesday.

Led by Hindi cinema’s megastar, Amitabh Bachchan, top Bollywood stars attended the premiere of Jab Tak hai Jaan (As Long As I Am Alive).

Chopra, known as the “king of romance” for creating classic love stories that were immensely popular, died last month days after finishing the film.

Bachchan, who acted in several of Chopra’s blockbusters, said the entire industry was celebrating the film.

“I think Yash would have liked it. Despite his death, the whole industry is celebrating his movie, and I am very anxious to see it,” he said.

Chopra’s wife Pamela said the premiere was a way of celebrating Chopra’s illustrious life rather than mourning his absence.

The film stars Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a love triangle with two leading ladies, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. The story of the film has not been made public, though promos show Khan as both a musician and an army officer.

Monday’s red-carpet event in India’s entertainment capital, Mumbai, was attended by Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and several Bollywood actresses from Chopra’s earlier movies, including Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi and Priety Zinta.

The opening date coincided with the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, and the timing was not without controversy.

Film producers consider a Diwali premiere date to be lucky, but it meant the movie ran into the release of yet another potential box-office blockbuster, Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardar.

About 10 days ago, Devgn sent a legal notice to Yashraj Films, accusing it of pressuring exhibitors to promote Jab Tak Hai Jaan over Son of Sardar over the Diwali festival holidays. – Sapa-AP

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