Indian movie mogul Yash Chopra dies

In this photograph taken on October 26, 2010 Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra poses for the press after winning the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award at the “The Asian Awards” at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London. Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, (80), who was admitted to a city hospital in Mumbai after being diagnosed with dengue, passed away on October 21, 2012. AFP / CARL COURT

MUMBAI, India – Bollywood movie mogul Yash Chopra died Sunday in Mumbai more than a week after he contracted dengue fever, a doctor said. He was 80.

Known as the “King of Romance,” Chopra had a Hindi-language movie-making career that spanned five decades with major hits including “Deewar” (Wall), “Dil To Pagal Hai” (The Heart Is Mad) and “Chandni” (Moonlight).

Chopra, who died in Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, was also suffering from kidney ailments, according to Dr. Prakash Jiyavani.

“He passed away due to dengue and multiple organ failure,” the Press Trust of India news agency reported, quoting hospital spokesman Sudhir. The spokesman uses only one name.

Chropra’s latest Hindi movie, “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” (As Long As I Am Alive), is scheduled for release across India next month.

His elder son, Aditya Chopra, also is a successful film director and a younger son, Uday Chopra, runs the international branch of the family’s production house.

Yash Chopra started his film career under the tutelage of his elder brothe, veteran filmmaker B.R. Chopra, who died four years ago at age 94.

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