Prakash Mehra (13 July 1939 – 17 May 2009) was a legendary Indian film director and producer known for his work in Hindi films. He was one of the pioneers of masala films, along with Nasir Hussain, and Manmohan Desai. His collaborations with the actor Amitabh Bachchan resulted in several box office blockbusters and classics.
Early life and career
Born on 13 July 1939 in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, Mehra started in the late 1950s as a production controller. In 1968, he directed Shashi Kapoor who played a double role in Haseena Maan Jayegi. In 1973, he produced and directed Zanjeer, with a screenplay by Salim–Javed, and starring Amitabh Bachchan. Zanjeer was the beginning of the Angry Young Man films of Hindi cinema.Prakash Mehra - creator of Bollywood's 'angry young man'
This film also started a long and successful collaboration with Bachchan that spanned 7 more films, 6 being blockbuster hits: Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Lawaaris, Namak Halaal and Sharaabi. Their final collaboration was Jaadugar which was a flop and ended their successful streak. Zanjeer was the film credited with launching the career of Bachchan as a lead actor and their final film together Jaadugar.
Prakash Mehra also directed & produced Zindagi Ek Jua with actor Anil Kapoor in 1991, which was not a commercial success. In 1996, he introduced veteran actor Raaj Kumar's son Puru Raaj Kumar in Bal Bramhachari which was also unsuccessful. This was the last film he directed. He also produced the movie Dalaal with Mithun Chakraborty, in the mid-90s, which was a box-office moneymaker. Mehra received a lifetime achievement award from the India Motion Picture Directors Association (IMPDA) in 2006. He also received Lifetime Achievement as Producer from IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers Association) on 19 September 2008.
Prakash Mehra was one of the first Bombay directors to try venture into Hollywood. In the late eighties he tried a joint venture to make the movie The God Connection with Frank Yandolino. The movie was to include Hollywood actors such as Charles Bronson among others, but the project though funded heavily initially, never came to fruition.
Mehra died on 17 May 2009 in Mumbai of pneumonia and multiple organ failure.
Filmography
Year FilmDirectorProducer Notes1962 ProfessorAS a controller of production1965PurnimaAssistant Director & lyrics one song 1968 Haseena Maan Jayegi 1971 Mela 1972 Samadhi 1972 Aan Baan 1973 Zanjeer 1973 Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara 1974 Haath Ki Safai 1976 Khalifa 1976 Hera Pheri1977Khoon Pasina 1978 Aakhri Daku 1978 Muqaddar Ka Sikandar 1980 Jwalamukhi 1980 Desh Drohee 1981 Laawaris 1982 Namak Halaal 1984 Sharaabi1986Chameli Ki ShaadiContributed to script 1987 Muqaddar Ka Faisla 1988 Mohabbat Ke Dushman 1989 Jaadugar 1992 Zindagi Ek Juaa1993Dalaal 1996 Bal Bramhachari2001Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachao
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