<p>Industrialist-politician T Subbarami Reddy, who produced Hindi films like 'Vijay', 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe', today announced a national award in memory of filmaker Yash Chopra to be given to an outstanding film personality each year.<br /><br />"In my friend's memory, I want to constitute Yash Chopra National Memorial Award. It consists of Rs 10 lakh and a citation. The award will be given to an outstanding film personality every year by TSR foundation," said Reddy, a Congress leader who was a close friend of Chopra for three decades.</p>.<p>Describing Chopra as a great filmmaker, the Rajya Sabha MP told reporters here that the award is likely to be given on Chopra's death anniversary. The Bollywood icon died in Mumbai on October 21.<br /><br />Recalling his friendship with Chopra dating back to 'Silsila' days, Reddy said Chopra continued to direct hit films for almost 60 years because he understood the audience's pulse.</p>.<p>"In 1981, 'Silsila' screened in my Hyderabad theatre Maheshwari Parmeshwari. Though the film did not do that well in other parts of the country, we celebrated silver jubilee in Hyderabad. I met Yashji during that time and we became great friends. It was a 31-year-old friendship," he said.<br /><br />Reddy is credited with helping Chopra at a time when the filmmaker was disheartened as several of his films failed at the box office in the 80s post-'Silsila'.<br /><br />"After 'Silsila', Mashaal' and 'Faasle' did not do well. His confidence took a dip. We decided to join our luck together to make 'Vijay' in 1988. The film was a success and we went on to make hits like 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe'," he said.<br /><br />The 69-year-old national award-winning filmmaker said he was shocked to hear about Chopra's death just weeks before the release of his last film 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'. </p>
<p>Industrialist-politician T Subbarami Reddy, who produced Hindi films like 'Vijay', 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe', today announced a national award in memory of filmaker Yash Chopra to be given to an outstanding film personality each year.<br /><br />"In my friend's memory, I want to constitute Yash Chopra National Memorial Award. It consists of Rs 10 lakh and a citation. The award will be given to an outstanding film personality every year by TSR foundation," said Reddy, a Congress leader who was a close friend of Chopra for three decades.</p>.<p>Describing Chopra as a great filmmaker, the Rajya Sabha MP told reporters here that the award is likely to be given on Chopra's death anniversary. The Bollywood icon died in Mumbai on October 21.<br /><br />Recalling his friendship with Chopra dating back to 'Silsila' days, Reddy said Chopra continued to direct hit films for almost 60 years because he understood the audience's pulse.</p>.<p>"In 1981, 'Silsila' screened in my Hyderabad theatre Maheshwari Parmeshwari. Though the film did not do that well in other parts of the country, we celebrated silver jubilee in Hyderabad. I met Yashji during that time and we became great friends. It was a 31-year-old friendship," he said.<br /><br />Reddy is credited with helping Chopra at a time when the filmmaker was disheartened as several of his films failed at the box office in the 80s post-'Silsila'.<br /><br />"After 'Silsila', Mashaal' and 'Faasle' did not do well. His confidence took a dip. We decided to join our luck together to make 'Vijay' in 1988. The film was a success and we went on to make hits like 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe'," he said.<br /><br />The 69-year-old national award-winning filmmaker said he was shocked to hear about Chopra's death just weeks before the release of his last film 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'. </p>