Photo: AFP

Jab Tak Hai Jaan marked Yash Chopra’s return to direction after eight years. The 13 November release will now be remembered as the last creative burst by the man who made good cinema good business.

Yash Raj’s most recent success was the Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Ek Tha Tiger, which is said to have earned over Rs 300 crore in Indian and overseas markets.

Yash Chopra spent the early part of his career with his brother, the producer-director B.R. Chopra, who produced his debut Dhool Ka Phool in 1959.

Recognizing the potential of multi-starrers, he made one of the first, the highly profitable Waqt, in 1965

Once he had understood the various elements of film-making in Bollywood, Chopra struck out on his own in 1973 with Daag.

He exploited Amitabh Bachchan’s anti-establishment screen persona to the hilt in the 1970s blockbusters Deewar and Trishul

Kabhie Kabhie was a Yash Chopra romantic special with Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in the lead roles again after Deewar.

With Trishul, the Amitabh Bachchan phenomenon continued unabated. The movie went on to be a “blockbuster” and was one of the top grossers of 1978.

Kaala Patthar was another multi-starrer with heavyweights like Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and Shatrughan Sinha in lead roles. The movie did only moderately well, but Chopra made money nonetheless.

Silsila did only average business of Rs 7 crore at the box office, but is one of the most memorable films made by Chopra who convinced Amitabh and Rekha to do it in the first place.

Chandni in 1989 was a blockbuster and the huge profits of this musical brought an end to director Yash Chopra’s lean phase.

Lamhe wasn’t received well at the box-office because of its theme of incest. But credit went to Chopra for exploring the volatile subject.

Darr marked Shahrukh Khan’s first collaboration with Yash Chopra and his banner Yash Raj Films. The film was a ‘Super Hit’ and put Khan on the path to stardom.

Dil to Pagal Hai was among the highest grosser for the year 1997 in Bollywood.

Veer-Zaara became the top-grossing Bollywood film of the year 2004 both at home and abroad, earning over Rs 750 million worldwide.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge - Chopra’s crowning glory. The romantic love story that caught the imagination of a generation became a blockbuster hit. Photos: Yash Raj Films