Entertainment

Prem Chopra opens up on his iconic negative roles

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2024

Staff Reporter

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 28 (ANI): “Prem naam hai mera.. Prem Chopra”. This evergreen dialogue from the 1973 cult-hit ‘Bobby’ has, over the years, become synonymous with one of Indian cinema’s most loved and celebrated villains.

Known for his arresting screen presence and distinguished style of acting, Prem Chopra entrenched his position as the ubiquitous bad man of indian cinema through his negative roles in films such as ‘Upkar’ and ‘Do Raaste’, to name a few. Through his flawless portrayal of numerous negative characters on the silver screen, Chopra not only captivated audiences but also built an aura around himself in the film industry.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Prem Chopra, now in his eighties, opened up on some of his iconic roles and performing alongside superstars of yesteryears and screen legends, some of whom he said he admired.

“When you are performing in front of the camera, you have to shed your inhibitions and be the same as every one else. Everybody is equal (in front of the camera). If you don’t do that then you are not going to be there (survive in the industry) for a long time. You have to deliver the goods while keeping your feet firmly on the ground. There were people who used to be very hardworking and involved in the process of acting. I considered every movie as my last and gave it my all in the hope that my performance would be recognised and get me more work going forward,” Chopra told ANI.

On the one negative role that had an impact on his life, the debonair villain of yesteryears said, “When you are performing in front of the camera, you are playing and portraying character. You are not playing Prem Chopra, you are playing the character that you signed up to portray. If I’m playing a devilish role, I have to be the devil. I have to play it right and justify my character. That way, the picture wouldn’t suffer. You have to adjust yourself. There were people in our industry who used to be absolute superstars. However, your stardom doesn’t stay with you forever. It passes with time. When stardom diminishes, an actor has to adapt to that phase in his life or career. Even a superstar like Amitabh Bachchan adapted to doing other roles with time. He had to adjust to playing characters that were not of the leading man. However, he still gets pivotal roles. However, there were actors, who used to be a rage during their heydays, but fell away as they couldn’t adapt to their declining stardom with time.”On how being typecast in negative roles from the 50s to well into the 80s helped him etch his name in the industry as one of the premier villains, Chopra said, “I got very popular with the audience by playing negative roles. In the film ‘Bobby’, they (makers) did not have to write more scenes for him to establish the fact that I was going to create a problem. Just one dialogue told viewers that I was out to create trouble for the lead cast. After that role, people started to accept me as a villain. In the West, one can see how actors are similarly appreciated for positive and negative characters. Different roles enables an actor to showcase his versatility. However, my characters brought me all the love and popularity.”While Prem Chopra had been with the industry long before ‘Bobby’ arrived in theatres, he found fame and overnight stardom as a villian with actor Rishi Kapoor’s debut film.

In a career spanning nearly six decades, he has worked in more than 400 films, including ‘Upkaar’, ‘ Purab Aur Pashchim’, ‘Do Raaste’, and ‘Phool Bane Angaarey’, among others. He also shared the screen with several superstars such as Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Manoj Kumar, among others.

He was most recently seen in the action-thriller ‘Animal’, which also starred Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

Published

2 weeks ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

Announcements

Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

4 months ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.