The Yash Chopra Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films, unveiled a new scholarship program on Friday, coinciding with what would have been the 92nd birthday of its founder, Yash Chopra.
The initiative aims to support children of low-income Hindi film industry workers who are registered members of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees. The program will offer financial assistance of up to INR500,000 ($5,975) per student for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in fields including mass communication, filmmaking, production, direction, visual arts, cinematography and animation.
Yash Chopra, who died in 2012, was a pioneering figure in Indian cinema. Known equally for his gritty films and romantic dramas, Chopra directed numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films over his five-decade career. His “Waqt” popularized the multi-starrer in Hindi films, while his grittier films include all-time classics “Deewar” and “Kaala Patthar.” Chopra is regarded as the father of romance in Indian cinema because of his romantic films including “Silsila,” “Lamhe,” “Kabhi Kabhie,” “Veer-Zaara,” “Dil To Pagal Hai,” “Chandni” and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan.” He founded Yash Raj Films in 1970, which grew to become one of India’s largest film production companies.
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of YRF, said: “The legendary film-maker and our founder Yash Chopra always believed in giving back to Hindi film industry in whichever way possible. His philosophy is ingrained in our company’s culture. So, on his 92nd birth anniversary, we are happy to embark on a mission to empower kids of the Hindi film fraternity.”
The selection process will include personalized interviews for candidates. Widhani said that the initiative would “inspire and empower deserving students to follow their dreams and subsequently make a mark in our film industry.”
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