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Netflix’s new limited docu-series, ‘The Romantics’, takes a deep dive into the legacy of Yash Chopra, and his impact on the Hindi film industry. Director Smriti Mundhra gives viewers an exclusive look at the beginning of Yash Raj Films, the introduction of romance in Bollywood, and an opportunity to hear from Aditya Chopra himself.
The four episode docu-series gives an inside look into the career of legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra, through several interviews from notable Indian actors, journalists, and directors.
Yash Chopra is known for revolutionizing modern-day Bollywood films, especially with the introduction of large-scale romantic movies. Chopra initially started in the film industry by working with his brother B.R. Chopra under his production company. Their 1959 film ‘Waqt’ was a commercial success, followed by two additional successful films for which Yash Chopra won Filmfare awards.
In 1970, Yash Chopra decided to branch out, and founded Yash Raj Films. Mundhra follows Chopra’s journey into breaking the mold of Bollywood films, and creating what we as an audience know today.
Mundhra not only interviews notable actors and figures in the Hindi film industry, but also Yash Chopra’s family, including his wife Pamela Chopra, and sons Aditya and Uday. Viewers get a unique opportunity to hear from Aditya Chopra, who has taken the helm of Yash Raj Films after his father. Aditya is notoriously private, and hasn’t given an interview in several years, leaving both the audience and others who were interviewed shocked.
‘The Romantics’ brings a feeling of nostalgia to those of us who grew up watching Yash Raj films, especially in the 1990’s and 2000’s. In his interviews, Aditya Chopra speaks about his debut directorial, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, which made ShahRukh Khan the pinnacle of romance.
Aditya’s brother, Uday Chopra, also speaks about his acting debut in ‘Mohabbatein’, a multi-starrer film that was also directed by Aditya Chopra. For the audience, it’s surprising to hear from both Uday and Aditya that while it was a dream debut for Uday, it didn’t guarantee him success in the industry.
Seeing the growth and journey of one of the largest film and production houses in India is inspirational as well as emotional. For hard-core Bollywood fans, the series gives a never before seen look into how several of their favorite actors, such as Ranveer Singh, Shahrukh Khan, and Anushka Sharma, came into the industry. The series also comes out at a time when ‘Pathaan, a YRF Film, is ruling box offices around the the world, and is being considered the film that is reviving the Hindi film industry.
