New Delhi: An annual National Yash Chopra Memorial Award is to be given every year to an outstanding film personality.

The award comprising Rs one million has been instituted by Dr T Subbarami Reddy, entrepreneur and Member of Parliament who told indiantelevision.com that he had been very close to Chopra, who had passed away recently after an attack of dengue fever at the age of eighty.

Reddy said he had come to know Chopra in the early eighties and had also collaborated as Co-Producer in some films like ‘Vijay‘, ‘Chandni‘ and ‘Lamhe‘. ‘We were partners for only ten years, but had been friends for 31 years‘, he added.

He said Chopra succeeded because he paid great attention to the story, script and dialogues. Contrary to common perception, stars came to Chopra to work with him and that is why he had popular stars in his films.

He also sought to dispel another perception by saying that Chopra had great respect for his elder brother B R Chopra who had given him his first break as a director in ‘Dhool ka Phool‘.

Reddy said he was in shock on receiving the news of Chopra‘s demise, as he had spoken merely ten days prior to the death to invite him for the opening of his (Reddy‘s) new multiplex in Andhra Pradesh.

He asked Chopra about the announcement about retirement from films. He said Chopra had told him in the short telephonic conversation that he had other plans which he would disclose whenever he meets Reddy.

Reddy said ‘Yash Chopra‘s films will always be viewed and remind us of his creativity.‘