Yash Chopra is the younger brother of B.R. Chopra. Yash's first attempt at direction was the highly successful melodrama Dhool Ka Phool (1959) for his brother's B.R. Films banner. Waqt (1965) and Ittefaq (1969) won Yash his first Filmfare Awards. In 1973, Yash set up his own company, Yash Raj Films (YRF). Daag (1973) was the first film made by the YRF label.

From the mid-70s, Yash worked with increasingly with Amitabh Bachchan. Deewaar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978) and Silsila (1981) were the resulting classics. In the 80s, Yash saw little success until things got back on track with Chandni (1989). Lamhe (1991), Darr (1993) ensured a successful start to the 90s. In the mid-90s, Yash produced the biggest Indian theatrical success, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), directed by his son Aditya. Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) was Yash's last hit as director.