Prem Chopra was the most distasteful, lecherous, and downright evil ‘Bad Guy’ of 70s and 80s Bollywood cinema. Prem Chopra made the character of the bad guy frighteningly real. I have heard people say they are terrified even by the mention of his name. Certainly after watching one of his performances many would not want to be left alone in a room with him. In countless Bollywood films (he has acted in over 400 movies) Prem Chopra played the heavy to the hilt.
Having started out as a ‘Hero’ in the 60s Prem discovered his true forte as a bad guy in the early 70s. His slimy characters in “Purab Aur Pachhim”, “Hare Ram Hare Krishna” “Bobby” , and “Teesri Manzil” are all time classic performances of Bollywood cinema. There is a hateful envy and sadistic perversity that is almost palatable in his portrayals.
Along with Pran and Jeevan, Prem Chopra ruled the bad guy roost of 70s Hindi Cinema, no one else even came close. Prem Chopra is also one of the few Bollywood actors to have an ‘official web site’.( I have made a link to it below.) It is a very good web site, well organized with lots of great information on the man. In searching on the web I also discovered a short story written by him that was first posted on an online magazine. In fact there are at least a handful of online articles written by Prem Chopra on the web, ranging from interviews, to short stories, to travels descriptions of the Uttar Pradesh region of India.
The scary psychopath of Bollywood turns out to be a well read and articulate man of letters. Today Prem Chopra is still acting in films and is also a big star on Indian Television. He does not always play the heavy and bad guy, but Prem Chopra will always be remembered as the enemy who is your worst nightmare.
Films Done By Prem Chopra
- Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (1960)
- Chaudhary Karnail Singh (1960)
- Hum Hindustani (1960)
- Main Shadi Karne Chala (1962)
- Woh Kaun Thi (1964)
- Shaheed (1965)
- Sikandar E Azam (1965)
- Nishan (1965)
- Poonam Ki Raat (1965)
- Mera Saaya (1966)
- Kunwari (1966)
- Sagaai (1966)
- Teesri Manzil (1966)
- Latt Saheb (1967)
- Aamne – Saamne (1967)
- Upkar (1967)
- Duniya (1968)
- Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968)
- Haye Mera Dil (1968)
- Do Raaste (1969)
- Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati (1969)
- Anjaana (1969)
- Waris (1969)
- Doli (1969)
- Prem Pujari (1970)
- Samaj Ko Badal Dalo (1970)
- Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)
- Purab Aur Paschim (1970)
- Himmat (1970)
- Jawab (1970)
- Yaadgaar (1970)
- Kati Patang (1970)
- Haré Raama Haré Krishna (1971)
- Pyar Ki Kahani (1971)
- Lagan (1971)
- Hulchul (1971)
- Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee (1971)
- Dastaan (1972)
- Raja Jani (1972)
- Gora Aur Kala (1972)
- Apradh (1972)
- Be-Imaan (1972)
- Raaste Kaa Patthar (1972)
- Bobby (1973)
- Jugnu (1973)
- Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973)
- Gehri Chaal (1973)
- Chhupa Rustam (1973)
- Nafrat (1973)
- Keemat (1973)
- Daag: A Poem of Love (1973)
- Benaam (1974)
- Ajanabee (1974)
- Jab Andhera Hota Hai (1974)
- Prem Nagar (1974)
- Vachan (1974)
- Pocket Maar (1974)
- Kala Sona (1975)
- Do Jhoot (1975)
- Do Jasoos (1975)
- Raaja (1975)
- Sanyasi (1975)
- Mehbooba (1976)
- Lagaaam (1976)
- Bairaag (1976)
- Barood (1976)
- Maha Chor (1976)
- Do Anjaane (1976)
- Tyaag (1977)
- Immaan Dharam (1977)
- Kasum Khoon Ki (1977)
- Jagriti (1977)
- Adha Din Adhi Raat (1977)
- Adha (1977)
- Darling Darling (1977)
- Thief of Baghdad (1977)
- Jadu Tona (1977)
- Dream Girl (1977)
- Dildaar (1977)
- Paapi (1977)
- Dil Aur Deewar (1978)
- Phandebaaz (1978)
- Des Pardes (1978)
- Azaad (1978)
- Do Musafir (1978)
- Trishul (1978)
- Kaala Patthar (1979)
- Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979)
- The Great Gambler (1979)
- Bebus (1979)
- Dostana (1980)
- Aanchal (1980)
- Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980)
- Lootmaar (1980)
- Saboot (1980)
- Dhan Daulat (1980)
- Nishana (1980)
- Ram Balram (1980)
- Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (1981)
- Shakka (1981)
- Naseeb (1981)
- Kranti (1981)
- Aas Paas (1981)
- Sansani: The Sensation (1981)
- Sawaal (1982)
- Desh Premee (1982)
- Gopichand Jasoos (1982)
- Haathkadi (1982)
- Do Dishayen (1982)
- Khud-Daar (1982)
- Raksha (1982)
- Farz aur Kanoon (1982)
- Mawaali (1983)
- Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983)
- Betaab (1983)
- Souten (1983)
- Prem Tapasya (1983)
- Jaanwar (1983)
- Daulat Ke Dushman (1983)
- Pukar (1983)
- Andha Kanoon (1983)
- Awaaz (1984)
- Manzil Manzil (1984)
- Duniya (1984)
- Ram Tera Desh (1984)
- Maqsad (1984)
- Ghar Ek Mandir (1984)
- Teri Bahon Mein (1984)
- Bhavani Junction (1985)
- Oonche Log (1985)
- Mard (1985)
- Telephone (1985)
- Sitamgar (1985)
- Arjun (1985)
- Sarfarosh (1985)
- Ram Tere Kitne Nam (1985)
- Bond 303 (1985)
- Kali Basti (1985)
- 3D Saamri (1985)
- Haqeeqat (1985)
- Aaj Ka Daur (1985)
- Avinash (1986)
- Preeti (1986)
- Ilzaam (1986)
- Swarag Se Sunder (1986)
- Waapsi (1986)
- Shatru (1986)
- Saveray Wali Gaadi (1986)
- Nagina (1986)
- Insaf Ki Pukar (1987)
- Hiraasat (1987)
- Hawalaat (1987)
- Majaal (1987)
- Kalyug Aur Ramayan (1987)
- Hukumat (1987)
- Mard Ki Zabaan (1987)
- Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987)
- Mahaveera (1988)
- Charnon Ki Saugandh (1988)
- Shukriyaa (1988)
- Shahenshah (1988)
- Mera Muqaddar (1988)
- Mera Shikar (1988)
- Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988)
- Sagar Sangam (1988)
- Sikka (1989)
- Daata (1989)
- Dana Paani (1989)
- Jung Baaz (1989)
- Abhimanyu (1989)
- Garibon Ka Daata (1989)
- Rakhwala (1989)
- Clerk (1989)
- Santosh (1989)
- Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá (1989)
- Joshilaay (1989)
- Indira (1989)
- Dav Pech (1989)
- Aakhri Badla (1989)
- Kaanoon Ki Awaaz (1989)
- Kanoon Ka Harz (1989)
- Mitti Aur Sona (1989)
- Gharana (1989)
- Majboor (1989)
- Doodh Ka Karz / Upkar Dudhache (1990)
- Paap Ki Kamaee (1990)
- Police Public (1990)
- Atishbaz (1990)
- Azaad Desh Ke Gulam (1990)
- Aag Ka Gola (1990)
- Kali Ganga (1990)
- Insaaf Ka Khoon (1991)
- Ghar Parivaar (1991)
- Princess from Kathmandu (1991)
- Phool Bane Angaarey (1991)
- Mast Kalandar (1991)
- Veerta (1991)
- Ghar Jamai (1992)
- Aaj Ka Goonda Raj (1992)
- Tahalka (1992)
- Khiladi (1992)
- Tyagi (1992)
- Bewaffa Se Waffa (1992)
- Virodhi (1992)
- Prem Deewane (1992)
- Mere Sajana Saath Nibhana (1992)
- Khel (1992)
- Santaan (1993)
- 15 August (1993)
- Aaja Meri Jaan (1993)
- Izzat Ki Roti (1993)
- Phool Aur Angaar (1993)
- Kshatriya (1993)
- Jaagruti (1993)
- Aasoo Bane Angaarey (1993)
- Aao Pyaar Karen (1994)
- Yaar Gaddar (1994)
- Brahma (1994)
- Prem Yog (1994)
- Betaaj Badshah (1994)
- The Law (1994)
- Laadla (1994)
- Insaniyat (1994)
- Raja Babu (1994)
- Gopalaa (1994)
- Cheetah (1994)
- Diya Aur Toofan (1995)
- Zamaana Deewana (1995)
- Saajan Ki Baahon Mein (1995)
- The Don (1995)
- God and Gun (1995)
- Aazmayish (1995)
- Jawab (1995)
- Andaz (1995 TV Series)
- Aashique Mastane (1995)
- Raghuveer (1995)
- Jallaad (1995)
- Ahankaar (1995)
- Ab Insaf Hoga (1995)
- Sapoot (1996)
- Hum Hain Premi (1996)
- Daanveer (1996)
- Sikander (1996 Video)
- Prem Granth (1996)
- Namak (1996)
- Return of Jewel Thief (1996)
- Mera Hindustan (1996)
- Udaan (1997)
- Jodidar (1997)
- Bhai Bhai (1997)
- Kaun Rokega Mujhe (1997)
- Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997)
- Zulm-O-Sitam (1998)
- Maharaja (1998)
- Iski Topi Uske Sarr (1998)
- Hatya Kaand (1998)
- Dulhe Raja (1998)
- Military Raaj (1998)
- Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge! (1998)
- Baadshah (1999)
- Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999)
- Hote Hote Pyar Hogaya (1999)
- Jai Hind (1999)
- Anari No.1 (1999)
- Lal Baadshah (1999)
- Lo Main Aa Gaya (1999)
- Beti No. 1 (2000)
- Agniputra (2000)
- Tera Mera Saath Rahen (2001)
- C.I.D. (2001 TV Series)
- Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001)
- Meri Adaalat (2001)
- Pyar Ki Dhun (2002)
- Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa (2003)
- Koi… Mil Gaya (2003)
- Dhund: The Fog (2003)
- Hum Kaun Hai (2004)
- Mysteries Shaque (2004)
- Shikaar (2004)
- Woh Tera Naam Tha (2004)
- Mr Prime Minister (2005)
- Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005)
- Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005)
- Viruddh… Family Comes First (2005)
- Ssukh (2005)
- Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
- Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen (2005)
- Saawan… The Love Season (2006)
- Umar (2006)
- Bold (2006)
- Dhamaal (2007)
- Buddha Mar Gaya (2007)
- Undertrial (2007)
- Broken Thread (2007)
- Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love (2007)
- Money Hai Toh Honey Hai (2008)
- Khushboo(2008)
- Humsey Hai Jahaan (2008)
- World Cupp 2011 (2009)
- Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009)
- Daddy Cool (2009)
- Delhi-6 (2009)
- Golmaal 3 (2010)
- Mirch (2010)
- Loot (2011)
- Love U…Mr. Kalakaar! (2011)
- Dharti (Punjabi) (2011)
- Patiala House (2011)
- Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (2011)
- Heart Land (Completed) (2012)
- Power Cut (Punjabi) (2012)
- Challo Driver (2012)
- Delhi Safari (Voice) (2012)
- Agent Vinod (2012)
- 18.11 – A Code of Secrecy (2014)
- Disco Singh (2014)
- Honour Killing (2014)
- I Love NY (2015)
- Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi (2017)
- Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2017)
- Udanchhoo (2018)
- Rangeela Raja (2019)
- Line of Descent (2019)
Awards Received By Prem Chopra
- 1976 – Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Do Anjaane
- 2004 – Legend of Indian Cinema Award at Atlantic City