New Delhi: Noted Director-Producer Yash Chopra was today chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2001, the top most honour given in the film industry.

Chopra's most memorable films are 'Dhool Ka Phool, 'Waqt', 'Ittefaq', 'Deewar', 'Kabhi Kabhi', 'Trishul', 'Silsila', 'Chandni', 'Lamhe' and 'Dil to Paagal Hai'.

His films have won five national awards and various other awards.

The Award, instituted in 1969 to commemorate the outstanding contribution of the late Dada Saheb Phalke to the industry, carries a cash prize of Rs two lakhs, a shawl and a Swarna Kamal.

Born in 1932 in Jalandhar in Punjab, Chopra started his career as an assistant to his brother and went on to direct over 20 very successful films under his own banner Yash Raj Films and other banners.

He has also produced and presented nine films. Chopra has been instrumental in tapping the potential of Indian films in the international market, thereby helping in placing Indian cinema on the world map.

Chopra is currently the Chairman of the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Entertainment Committee.

PTI