Prem Chopra, a name synonymous with villainy in Indian cinema, celebrates his 90th birthday. The iconic dialogue, “Prem naam hai mera… Prem Chopra,” from the 1973 film *Bobby* became a defining moment in his career. Initially, Chopra aspired to be a hero in the film industry. Born in Lahore, British India (now Pakistan) on September 23, 1935, he later moved to Shimla with his family after the partition and completed his education there. He arrived in Mumbai with the dream of acting in leading roles. Initially, he received roles as a second lead or as a friend to the hero, but his fame came from his villainous portrayals.
During his time in Mumbai, Chopra went from studio to studio seeking opportunities, only to be met with rejection. Before finding success in cinema, he worked at The Times of India. His film debut came with *Chaudhary Karnail Singh* (1960), for which he was reportedly paid Rs 2500. He also acted in a few Punjabi films. Early in his career, he took on villainous roles in films like *Woh Kaun Thi*, *Shaheed*, and *Teesri Manzil*. The success of *Bobby* in 1973, where his iconic dialogue was featured, solidified his path in playing negative characters.
