Chopra described editing as ‘finding bugs’ — “keedey nikalna”, Sharma recalled. Returning a proof heavy with corrections, he would remark, “Kaafi keedey nikley hain isme.” If he wasn’t happy with the editing, he would print it out, edit it by hand, and send pictures of the marked pages to his junior editors, sometimes in the middle of the night.Krishan Chopra, the publishing executive who brought presidents, central bank governors, and some of the most influential voices of contemporary India into print, passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was in his early 70s.In the course of a career spanning more than 50 years, Chopra became one of the most respected and well-connected figures in Indian publishing. He held senior roles at Penguin Books India and served as Executive Publisher at HarperCollins India, where he launched and established the Harper Business imprint. His list of authors included former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, L&T chairman A M Naik, and a host of public intellectuals.Aman Arora, associate director of marketing at HarperCollins, who worked with Chopra, remembered his pursuit of excellence fondly. “He was a brilliant, brilliant man,” Arora said. “I learned so much from him, from multiple edits of a press release alone…”In a detailed tribute on LinkedIn, publisher Sachin Sharma, who worked with Chopra to build Harper Business, wrote: “He would spend hours fine-tuning a cover blurb or re-editing a manuscript if he wasn’t satisfied.” Chopra, Sharma said, was an “exceptionally well-read man”, and it showed in the editorial interventions that he made.Chopra described editing as ‘finding bugs’ — “keedey nikalna”, Sharma recalled. Returning a proof heavy with corrections, he would remark, “Kaafi keedey nikley hain isme.” If he wasn’t happy with the editing, he would print it out, edit it by hand, and send pictures of the marked pages to his junior editors, sometimes in the middle of the night.Tall, impeccably dressed, and low-profile, Chopra was a man of few words who took time to trust people, but once he did, he became a fiercely loyal friend and mentor, said those who knew him well.Rohit Saran, a senior editor and data journalist who has done books with Chopra, recalled that Chopra was messaging him two weeks before he died about their future publishing plans.Story continues below this ad“He was following up, sending me reviews, sending me clippings,” Saran said. “He must have been on his bed. That was his excitement level.” At the time, Saran had no idea Chopra was undergoing cancer treatment. Arora too recalled Chopra messaging him media clippings for an ongoing title barely 10-15 days before his passing.Krishan Chopra is survived by his wife and daughter.Aishwarya Khosla is a senior editorial figure at The Indian Express, where she spearheads the digital strategy and execution for the Books & Literature and Puzzles & Games sections. With over eight years of experience in high-stakes journalism, Aishwarya specializes in literary criticism, cultural commentary, and long-form features that explore the complex intersection of identity, politics, and social change. Aishwarya’s analytical depth is anchored by her prestigious Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections. This intensive research fellowship in policy analysis and political communications informs her nuanced approach to cultural journalism, allowing her to provide readers with unique insights into how literature and media reflect broader political shifts. As a trusted voice for the Indian Express audience, she authors the popular newsletters, Meanwhile, Back Home and Books 'n' Bits, and hosts the podcast series, Casually Obsessed. Before her current role, Aishwarya spent several years at Hindustan Times, where she provided dedicated coverage of the Punjabi diaspora, theater, and national politics. Her career is defined by a commitment to intellectual rigor, making her a definitive authority on modern Indian culture and letters. Areas of Expertise Literary Criticism, Cultural Politics, Political Strategy, Long-form Investigative Features, and Newsletter Curation. Write to her You can reach her at aishwaryakhosla.ak@gmail.com or aishwarya.khosla@indianexpress.com. You can follow her on Instagram: @aishwarya.khosla, and X: @KhoslaAishwarya. Her stories can be read here. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:New Delhi