“Who would give up a chance to do a doctorate from Cambridge University for a course in a government run film school?” asked a professor on the admission panel at the Film and Television Institute of India.

Vinod wasn't fazed by the question; he answered calmly," A mad-man".

Madness is another word for conviction. Vinod's conviction is founded on his love for cinema. He has tremendous belief in his own ability, and a visceral hate for compromise either in life or art. Throughout his career, Vinod has guarded this 'madness' fiercely. The seductions of money, fame, glamour couldn't sway Vidhu Vinod Chopra even when he was a penniless graduate. He rejected lucrative offers to direct films because he was dissatisfied with the scripts. Instead he went on to make a film that he believed in - a documentary for which he was paid $100; the 'short' went on to be nominated for the Oscars - An Encounter with Faces (1978), is a poignant film highlighting the plight of India's destitute children. Forced to film with limited resources, Vinod improvised.

Vinod was born on 5th September 1956 in Srinagar, Kashmir - a city of shimmering lakes and majestic houseboats, he dreams of a film that will be about the Kashmir of his childhood. Though he cannot live there anymore… Kashmir lives within him.

From Vinod Chopra Productions Website: vinodchopra.com