RIP Yash Chopra

October 21st, 2012 came the news of Yash Chopra passing away. Bollywood lovers broke down to tears, I did too. He was a brilliant director who had the gift of God to present the simplest moments in a grand way in a three hour long cinematic experience.  Jab Tak Hai Jaan was his last directorial which we are yet to see. Alright, to cut this short, let me get to the point. In this post, I want to talk…just read on if you want.

As a kid, I grew up on imitating different actors and singing songs that got stuck in my head. I never understood the meanings or anything till long…well more recently. Whether it’s “Mere pass Maa hai”, “Kabhie kabhie mere dil mein”, “Dekha ek khwab”, “K-K-K-Kiran”, “Mere haathon mein nau”  or “Chak dhoom dhoom”, “Ole ole”, “Hothon pe bas”…anyone with enough sense could say I was a bigger Yash Chopra fan than SRK fan as a child. But you know what? Yash ji never made movies aimed mostly at kids. I don’t know why I would say this but I just thought of it and yet I kinda loved what he did. I never even heard of him until I started watching award shows (first award show I watched was Filmfare 1997). But the image I had of him was of an old guy with the top of his head hairless. 

In 2004, Veer Zaara released. While I was in the mode to get in my senses, I fell in love with the movie. It shook my emotions. When I watched the special features on the VZ DVD set, I still didn’t notice Yash ji. He kept going on unnoticed in my eyes…until Oct 21^st, 2012. I do confess that I made fun of him a lot over the years. And you know, many times, we get used to somebody being alive if that is the correct way to say it. You do not realize the value, the influence until they are gone. Same happened with me. 

I would have never said this to Yash ji if he were alive because it wouldn’t cross my mind and of course it wouldn’t be possible either but I want to say now:

I am sorry Yash ji. I am sorry for never trying to realize what a beautiful blessing you were in my life.  I am sorry for never taking the time to express my gratitude for teaching me about relationships through your movies. You taught me how to be patient; taught me how to love, taught me the fact that life CAN be beautiful. Now that you are gone, I am learning further about honesty and passion...valuing someone who influences your life. You didn’t go alone but you took 20 years of my life along with you. You left me in tears. I am sorry Yash ji for my ignorance. I am sorry. I shall never forget you till my last breath.