Bollywood stars Anushka Sharma, left, Shah Rukh Khan, center, and Katrina Kaif pose during the premiere of their film "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" or "As long as I Am Alive" in Mumbai, India. — AP Photo

NEW DELHI: Bollywood stars turned out in strength for a final homage to movie director Yash Chopra at the premiere of his last film.

Led by megastar Amitabh Bachchan, top stars attended the premiere Monday night of "Jab Tak hai Jaan," or "As Long as I am Alive."

Chopra was known as the "King of Romance" for creating classic love stories that were immensely popular. He died last month, days after finishing the film.

Bachchan, who acted in several of Chopra's blockbusters, said the entire Hindi movie industry was honoring the film, which was opening in Indian theaters Tuesday.

"I think Yash Chopra would have liked it. Despite his death, the whole industry is celebrating his movie, and I am very anxious to see it," he said.

Chopra's wife Pamela said the premiere was their way of celebrating Chopra's illustrious life rather than mourning his absence.

The film stars Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a love triangle with two leading ladies, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. The story of the film has not been made public, though promotional clips show Khan as both a musician and an army officer.

Monday's red-carpet event in India's entertainment capital, Mumbai, was attended by Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and several Bollywood actresses from Chopra's earlier movies, including Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi and Preity Zinta.

The opening date coincided with the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, and the timing was not without controversy.

Film producers consider a Diwali premiere to be lucky, but it meant the movie ran into the release of another potential blockbuster, Ajay Devgn's "Son of Sardar."

Around 10 days ago, Devgn sent a legal notice to Chopra's company, Yashraj Films, accusing it of pressuring exhibitors to promote "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" over "Son of Sardar" during the Diwali festival holidays.

Opinion

Editorial

Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...
Bulldozed bill
Updated 22 May, 2024

Bulldozed bill

Where once the party was championing the people and their voices, it is now devising new means to silence them.
Out of the abyss
22 May, 2024

Out of the abyss

ENFORCED disappearances remain a persistent blight on fundamental human rights in the country. Recent exchanges...
Holding Israel accountable
22 May, 2024

Holding Israel accountable

ALTHOUGH the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor wants arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime...