Prakash Mehra was one of the most celebrated and successful Indian film director and producer whose works mainly encompasses the Hindi film industry. He was regarded as the pioneer of "Masala" film genre along with Manmohan Desai. Most of his projects with Amitabh Bachchan went on to become classics and box office blockbusters. For this, Prakash Mehra was also regarded amongst the "Golden Directors" of his era.
Early Life of Prakash Mehra
Prakash Mehra was born at Rawalpindi, British India, on 13th July 1939. Most of his childhood was spent in Fatehpuri, Gandhi Gali and Chandni Chowk at his Aunt"s House.
Career of Prakash Mehra
Prakash Mehra began his career as a production controller in late 1950s. He made his directional debut in the year 1968 with the film "Haseena Maan Jayegi". In the movie he directed the Indian actor Shashi Kapoor who essayed a double role. In the year 1973 he produced as well as directed the Bollywood flick "Zanjeer" starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Pran. The film became a mega blockbuster and marked the beginning of a professional relationship between Prakash Mehra and Amitabh Bachchan which continued for 7 more movies out of which 6 were huge blockbusters including "Sharaabi", "Namak Halaal", "Lawaaris", "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar", "Hera Pheri" and "Khoon Pasina". The films also launched Bachchan"s career, in collaboration with Mehra, as a top director/actor duo which spanned for about two decades. However Prakash Mehra"s 8th film with Bachchan named "Jaadugar" was a commercial failure and also marked the end of the second phase of the legendary career of Amitabh Bachchan.
In the year 1991, Prakash Mehra directed the actor Anil Kapoor in the film "Zindagi Ek Jua". He also produced the film but unfortunately it could not perform well at the box office. He introduced Puru Raajkumar, the son of famed actor Raaj Kumar, in 1996 with the movie "Bal Brahmachari". This movie also turned out to be unsuccessful and marked the last directional venture of Prakash Mehra. Later in mid 1990s, he produced the film "Dalaal" featuring Mithun Chakraborty which was referred as a box-office money-maker. Prakash Mehra had been enlisted amongst the first directors of Mumbai who had tried to venture into Hollywood. He took up a joint venture in late 1980s for making the film "The God Connection" in collaboration with Frank Yandolino which was to feature Hollywood actor Charles Bronson. Although the project was quite heavily funded, it never materialized.
Achievements of Prakash Mehra
In the year 2006 Prakash Mehra was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the India Motion Picture Directors Association (IMPDA). On 19th September 2008 he was also conferred Lifetime Achievement Award as Producer from IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers Association).
Filmography of Prakash Mehra
The following are the Filmography of Prakash Mehra as a Director:
•Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968)
•Mela (1971)
•Samadhi (1972)
•Aan Baan (1972)
•Zanjeer (1973)
•Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973)
•Haath Ki Safai (1974)
•Khalifa (1976)
•Hera Pheri (1976)
•Aakhri Daku (1978)
•Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
•Jwalamukhi (1980)
•Desh Drohee (1980)
•Laawaris (1981)
•Namak Halaal (1982)
•Sharaabi (1984)
•Muqaddar Ka Faisla (1987)
•Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988)
•Jaadugar (1989)
•Zindagi Ek Juaa (1992)
•Zakhmi (1993)
•Zulm (1994)
•Bal Bramhachari (1996)
The following are the Filmography of Prakash Mehra as a Producer:
•Khoon Pasina (1977)
•Dalaal (1993)
Death of Prakash Mehra
Prakash Mehra died of pneumonia and multiple organ failure on 17th May 2009 in Mumbai and is survived by three sons namely Puneet, Amit and Sumeet. His son Amit Mehra died of a cardiac arrest on 1st March 2015.