Entertainment

Prem Chopra opens up on his iconic negative roles

Published

3 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

Dubai Miracle Garden returns as UAE’s cooler season begins

Published

15 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Staff Reporter

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Dubai’s Miracle Garden has reopened for its 15th season as temperatures begin to fall across the UAE. The popular attraction in Al Barsha South welcomed visitors on Thursday, 8 October, with the new season being launched under the theme “Fifteen Years, Blooming Together”.

Sheikh Theyab bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairman of Miracle Group, inaugurated the new season. The garden will remain open until 31 May 2027, with a programme of weekly themes and events planned around the UAE’s cultural and national calendar.

Visitors will see activities linked to occasions including Pink October, United Nations Day, UAE Flag Day and Diwali. The programme will also include live music, family entertainment and fitness activities held as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Events are also planned for Commemoration Day and Eid Al Etihad.

“For fifteen seasons, Dubai Miracle Garden has grown alongside Dubai and its people,” Sheikh Theyab said. “This season is dedicated to the community that made it possible, particularly the families and residents who return year after year.”

Mohammed Zaher Hammadih, group chief executive of Miracle Group, said the weekly programme was intended to encourage visitors to return throughout the season.

“As we mark our 15th season, Dubai Miracle Garden continues to bring people together through shared experiences,” he said. “Our weekly programme gives families a new reason to return, with cultural celebrations, live entertainment and activities to enjoy throughout the season.”

The garden features more than 150 varieties of flowers and is known for its large-scale floral displays, some of which have previously set Guinness World Records.

Since opening in 2013, it has attracted millions of visitors and become one of Dubai’s established family attractions.The garden is open daily from 9am to 9pm on weekdays and from 9am to 11pm at weekends.

Tickets start at Dh105 for adults and Dh84 for children. Children under three can enter free of charge.

Entertainment

Emirates Dubai 7s 2026: Tickets on sale as festival returns with bigger family zone

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.

The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.

The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.

Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.

Other ticket options

Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375

Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.

Bigger family attractions

Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.

The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.

Six sports and top rugby action

Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.

Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.

The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.

The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.

Music all weekend

Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.

Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.

For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.

With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.

Entertainment

Dubai launches ‘Dubai+’ family streaming platform to boost digital media and creative economy

Published

8 months ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.

The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.

What is Dubai+?

Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:

Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment

The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.

“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boosting Local Film and Content Production

The Council also reviewed plans to:

Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth

Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.

Next Phase of Growth

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.

Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.